The 1960s were a transformative decade for music, marked by the rise of rock and roll and the explosion of girl groups and dance crazes. Amidst this vibrant landscape emerged a song that captured the youthful energy of the era: “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva. This track, born from a babysitter’s demo and fueled by a catchy dance, became an instant classic, topping charts and defining a moment in pop music history. This is the story of how “The Loco-Motion” became a defining Locomotion Song of the sixties, exploring its origins, impact, and enduring legacy.
From Babysitter to Brill Building Star: The Genesis of a Hit
The story of “The Loco-Motion” is inextricably linked to the legendary Brill Building in New York City, the epicenter of songwriting and music production in the early 1960s. At the heart of this creative hub were Gerry Goffin and Carole King, a prolific songwriting duo who penned hits for some of the biggest names in music. King, already a successful songwriter, was also exploring her own recording capabilities, creating fully-produced demos of their songs.
Image of Carole King and Gerry Goffin in the Brill Building.
Alt text: Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the songwriting duo behind “The Loco-Motion,” pictured in the Brill Building, the heart of 1960s pop music.
Adding to their already busy lives as songwriters and parents, Goffin and King sought help with childcare. This led them to Eva Narcissus Boyd, a nineteen-year-old from North Carolina with aspirations of becoming a singer. Boyd was recommended by Earl-Jean McCrea of The Cookies, a prominent girl group and session singers who frequently worked with Goffin and King. For $35 a week, plus room and board, Eva became their live-in babysitter.
Unbeknownst to Goffin and King initially, Eva possessed a natural vocal talent and a vibrant personality. She quickly became more than just a babysitter; she became part of their extended musical family. Eva’s connection to The Cookies deepened her involvement in the music scene, often joining them in the studio and even becoming an unofficial “fourth Cookie.”
The Dance Craze and the Birth of “The Loco-Motion”
The early 1960s were swept by a wave of dance crazes. Songs with simple, instruction-based lyrics and infectious rhythms dominated the airwaves, encouraging everyone to get up and dance. Hits like “The Twist” by Chubby Checker and “Mashed Potato Time” by Dee Dee Sharp exemplified this trend.
Image of people doing the Loco-Motion dance.
Alt text: A lively group of young people enthusiastically performing the Loco-Motion dance, showcasing its widespread popularity in the 1960s.
Don Kirshner, the music publisher at Aldon Music (where Goffin and King were based), recognizing the ongoing dance craze phenomenon, tasked Goffin and King with writing a new dance song, specifically thinking of Dee Dee Sharp as the potential artist. They crafted a song with a simple, catchy melody and lyrics that described a new dance – “The Loco-Motion.”
However, fate had other plans. Cameo-Parkway, Dee Dee Sharp’s label, preferred in-house songwriting and passed on Goffin and King’s creation. This rejection turned out to be a pivotal moment. Kirshner, convinced of the song’s hit potential after hearing the demo sung by Eva, decided to launch his own record label, Dimension Records. He decided to release Eva’s demo of “The Loco-Motion” as is, with The Cookies adding extra backing vocals. Eva Narcissus Boyd was reborn as “Little Eva,” and a star was born alongside her locomotion song.
“The Loco-Motion” Takes Off: Chart-Topping Success and Cultural Impact
Released in the summer of 1962, “The Loco-Motion” quickly gained momentum. Its infectious rhythm, simple dance steps, and Little Eva’s youthful charm resonated with audiences. The song climbed the charts, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1962. It became an international sensation, cementing Little Eva’s place in music history and establishing Dimension Records as a force to be reckoned with.
Image of Little Eva performing “The Loco-Motion” on stage.
Alt text: Little Eva, the energetic singer of “The Loco-Motion,” captivating an audience with a live performance of her signature locomotion song.
“The Loco-Motion” wasn’t just a chart-topping hit; it became a cultural phenomenon. The dance itself was simple and fun, easily learned and enjoyed by people of all ages. Dance floors across the nation filled with people doing “The Loco-Motion,” mimicking the movements of a train – a testament to the song’s widespread appeal and the power of dance crazes in the 1960s. The song’s success also highlighted the Brill Building’s songwriting and production prowess, showcasing the hit-making machinery working behind the scenes of popular music.
Dimension Records and Little Eva’s Continued Career
Riding the wave of “The Loco-Motion”‘s success, Dimension Records became a hub for Goffin and King’s songwriting and production talents. They continued to work with Little Eva and The Cookies, producing a string of hits. Dimension Records released an album titled “Dimension Dolls,” featuring early hits from their artists, capitalizing on their initial success.
Little Eva followed up “The Loco-Motion” with other notable tracks like “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” and “Let’s Turkey Trot,” further solidifying her status as a dance-craze queen, even if none reached the same heights as her debut locomotion song. She toured extensively, including with Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars, and remained a popular live performer. The Cookies also enjoyed success with songs like “Chains” (later covered by The Beatles), further demonstrating the collaborative and interconnected nature of the Dimension Records roster.
Image of a Little Eva album cover, possibly “Llllloco-motion.”
Alt text: Album cover featuring Little Eva, promoting her music and likely including her famous locomotion song, “The Loco-Motion.”
However, the landscape of pop music was rapidly changing. The British Invasion, spearheaded by The Beatles in 1964, shifted musical tastes and presented new challenges for American artists. While Little Eva and The Cookies were admired by the Beatles (who famously covered “Chains”), the changing musical climate and Don Kirshner’s shift in focus towards film and television projects impacted Dimension Records.
Dimension Records eventually wound down, and Little Eva’s contract was sold to Bell Records. She continued to record and perform, but without the consistent support of Goffin and King and the Dimension machine, she struggled to replicate her earlier success. Disillusioned with the music industry and facing financial hardships, Little Eva retired from the music business in 1971, returning to North Carolina.
“The Loco-Motion”‘s Enduring Legacy and Little Eva’s Comeback
Despite Little Eva’s retirement, “The Loco-Motion” remained a timeless classic. Its infectious energy and danceable rhythm ensured its continued popularity. The song experienced a resurgence in the 1970s when Grand Funk Railroad released a rock version that also topped the charts in 1974, proving the song’s versatility and cross-generational appeal.
Image of Grand Funk Railroad performing “The Loco-Motion” in the 1970s.
Alt text: Grand Funk Railroad, a 1970s rock band, performing their hit cover version of “The Loco-Motion,” demonstrating the song’s enduring appeal across genres.
In the 1980s, “The Loco-Motion” once again reached a new generation when Australian pop star Kylie Minogue released her version in 1987. Minogue’s rendition became a global hit, further solidifying the song’s status as an iconic pop anthem and launching Minogue’s own successful career. This renewed popularity led to “where are they now?” articles about Little Eva, prompting her to return to performing.
Image of Kylie Minogue in the “Locomotion” music video.
Alt text: Kylie Minogue in her music video for “Locomotion,” her successful 1980s cover that reintroduced the locomotion song to a new generation.
Hesitant at first due to past industry experiences and her religious faith, Little Eva eventually embraced her comeback. She found that audiences still loved her and her signature locomotion song. She toured the oldies circuit for the rest of her life, performing with fellow musical icons and connecting with fans worldwide, reclaiming her legacy until her passing in 2003.
“The Loco-Motion” remains more than just a catchy tune; it is a symbol of the 1960s dance craze era, the Brill Building’s hit-making magic, and Little Eva’s unforgettable contribution to pop music history. From its humble beginnings as a babysitter’s demo to its multiple chart-topping iterations across decades, this locomotion song continues to inspire people to get up and dance, ensuring its place as a timeless classic.
