“Yeah, that's it, beep the horn twice. Cover your back. Boy, I'm ready: dukes up;
eyes peeled; ears to the ground. Why, nobody gets the drop on Roger Rabbit!”

- Roger Rabbit, 1988

The song is an example of accelerando, in which the tempo of the song gradually increases throughout the song. ^[1]

The song was on the Billboard Top 40 charts for twelve weeks, and peaked at #20.^[2] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.^[3] Concurrently with this song, American Motors (AMC) was setting production and sales records for the Rambler models.^[4]

Because of a directive by the BBC that songs not include brand names in their lyrics, a version of "Beep Beep" was recorded for the European market replacing the Cadillac and Nash Rambler with the generic terms limousine and bubble car.

The Playmates Donald Claps aka Donny Conn drummer and lyricist Carl Cicchetti aka Chic Hetti pianist music composer and Morey Cohen aka Morey Carr lead vocalist were an instrumental and vocal trio all from Waterbury Connecticut and in the early-1950s at the University of Connecticut, After graduation began touring The USA and Canada small lounges and night clubs in 1952 originally as the "Nitwits" later as the Playmates.

Signed to Roulette Records in 1958 as the label's first vocal group^[1],Anticapting a Calypso craze the group recorded an album called Playmates Visit the West Indies. They then released two notable top 40 singles — "Jo-Ann" and "Don't Go Home" — before having a surprise #4 hit (July 9, 1958) with the tempo-changing novelty record "Beep, Beep"^[2] - which became a regular spin for Dr. Demento.

The "Beep, Beep" song was on the Billboard Top 40 chart for twelve weeks. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.^[3] Concurrently with this song, American Motors (AMC) was setting production and sales records for the Rambler models.^[4] Because of a directive by the BBC that songs do not include brand names in its lyrics, a version of "Beep Beep" was recorded for the European market replacing the Cadillac and Nash Rambler with the generic terms limousine and bubble car.

They followed up with a chart listing single in 1959 with "What Is Love" and then again in 1960 with "Wait For Me".^[5] After four albums for Roulette, the novelty group — which was known for its between-song comedy and banter as much for its repertoire — broke up in 1965.

I really enjoyed the recent newsletter that featured "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo", a song I've loved for years (actually, decades), but hadn't heard recently. You can tell it brought back memories for me. I first was aware of the story of the innocent girl in love with the puppets and (unfortunately) the bitter puppeteer through the Broadway musical, "Carnival"; I never saw it, but loved the LP. It featured the love-song, "Love Makes the World Go Round". Reading the credits on the Album cover, I discovered it was based on the earlier movie, "Lily". When that came around, I made a point to see it, and that's where I first learned where "Hi-Lili Hi-Lo" came from. The movie was essentially the same story, but without as many different songs. Again in the credits, I learned that the movie was based on a novel by Paul Gallico, "The Love of Seven Dolls". I managed to find it in a library and read it. Again, essentially the same story (with love, of course, but also a measure of sadness). Although there was no hint of what it might sound like, during the story there were continuing references to "a little Breton lullaby", which brought peace to the loving, lovable (but also sad) heroine of the story.

I thought it was neat how the idea of a love song ultimately bringing 2 people together was carried through 3 interpretations of the same plot, with 3 different songs. So again, thanks!

   Thank you so much, Pete! I personally always enjoy knowing the background of songs, movies, books, and people; I'm glad you enjoyed this!