AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Banana Splits

Artist:The Banana Splits

Song:The Tra La Song (One Banana, Two Banana)

Album:Tube Tales Vol. 1: The '70s

The Banana Splits was a kids TV show that debuted in 1968. It was obviously influenced by The Monkees. Of course the band wore these costumes. The Tra La Song was the theme of the show and it charted at the time. Lee Rich of the Leo Burnett ad agency approached Joe Barbera of Hanna-Barbera about an hour long Saturday morning kids show for Kellogg's. Barbera suggested that instead of animated characters, they could be costumed performers resembling oversized puppets. After he sold the concept to Burnett staff, He got Sid and Marty Krofft to make the costumes. There were four segments in the show wrapped in Banana Splits musical comedy segments. It was called The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and it premiered on NBC Sept. 7, 1968. The live action segments were forgettable. But kids loved The Banana Splits and of course the music. The Banana Splits theme The Tra La Song charted and Decca released an album. Not surprisingly, the music was recorded by studio musicians. The Tra La Song was credited to Ritchie Adams and Mark Barkan. But supposedly it was actually written by Leo Burnett staff songwriter Nelson Winkless Jr. The vocals were likely by Joey Levine and Rick Lancelotti. Levine sang for Kasenetz-Katz and was a veteran jingle singer. Lancelotti went on to work with Frank Zappa. The Banana Splits only lasted for two seasons. But there was renewed interest when The Dickies covered The Tra-La Song in 1978. And the interest continues today. You can get the original theme on this TV theme CD from Rhino. Here's  the opening and closing credits for The Banana Splits Adventure Hour featuring The Tra-La Song (one Banana, Two Banana).