This week’s theme for Song Lyric Sunday is to find a song that mentions bare, birthday suit, buff, exposed, liberated, naked, naturist, nude, or skin. The song I chose — Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini — doesn’t mention any of those words, and yet I think it fits the prompt.
Bryan Hyland made it a hit in 1960. The songwriter, Paul Vance, wrote the words after watching his 2 year old daughter playing on the beach in small yellow bikini. I remember hearing the song as a kid and loving it. It made me laugh — mostly because I could relate.
The bikini debuted in 1946. If you’re interested in the history of the bikini, it’s all here on History.com: Bikini Introduced
Have I worn a bikini? Maybe yes — but it was a long time ago. Eight kids later, I don’t think I would even try. I’ll take my one-piece suit, thank you very much.
Just the other day, one of my daughters told me about being cat-called. She’s a beautiful girl so I’m not surprised. “I don’t like it,” she said. I’m not surprised at that either.
Women want to be seen for who they are — which is so much more than their body. I’m not sure going topless would change that. The Song Lyric Sunday theme was chosen because to acknowledge “Go Topless Day.” I, for one, will keep my top on and wear my one-piece swimsuit.
Lyrics:
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the locker, she wanted to stay
Two, three, four
Stick around we’ll tell you more
(Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop-op-op-op-op-op-op)
She was afraid to come out in the open (bop-op-op-op)
And so a blanket around her she wore (bop-op-op-op)
She was afraid to come out in the open (bop-op-op-op)
And so she sat, bundled up on the shore (bop-op-op-op)
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the blanket, she wanted to stay
Two, three, four
Stick around we’ll tell you more
(Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop-op-op-op-op-op-op)
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water (bop-op-op-op)
And I wonder what she’s gonna do (bop-op-op-op)
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water (bop-op-op-op)
And the poor little girl’s turning blue (bop-op-op-op)
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the water, she wanted to stay
From the locker to the blanket
From the blanket to the shore
From the shore to the water
Guess there isn’t any more
Songwriters: Paul Vance / Lee Julien Pockriss
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
This is one song I knew would show up today; even if the words aren’t said, they are strongly implied. Poor girl! Even though I never counted this song among my favorites, I did feel badly for her predicament. Nice choice, Sally.
Thanks, Nancy — It’s a song that always made me laugh because I could relate to her predicament!
Hehe! Yep. Body dysmorphia starts young and persists!
I remember this song well too it always intrigued me… what a nightmare!! 💜💜
Nice choice, Sally and I think you are sensible going with your one piece bathing suit, as a bikini can come off at the beach, due to strong waves, swimming, or loose fits, which can cause a bikini top or bottom to slip or wash away. Eight kids, that is amazing and thanks for sharing your music again.
I’ve been to a nude beach twice in Vancouver, Wreck Beach….once in November for a walk…..and once in the heat of summer, and never again, you quickly learned, yikes!!!…never again
as for the bikini, I guess, to each her own…I wonder if through the years if reactions have changed..I recently went through my dad’s old super 8 home movies, lots of trips to Hawaii, lots of bikinis and speedos, as well as everything else…no one seemed to care, it’s just what worked for them..
Sally, totally forgot this one. Good choice! I appreciate what you say about whether or not one chooses going topless and what they can probably expect if they do. I’m going to the beach this afternoon and even wearing a bathing suit makes me nervous these days. I used to be skinny and expected the stares. Maybe being pudgy and unnoticed has its advantages.