Top 10 1910 Fruitgum Company Songs Of All Time

Feature Photo: HaarFager, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

I have always had a thing for bubblegum music. It’s just fun to listen to. I would also argue that it’s not as easy to write as many people think. Writing catchy pop songs is a true art. Have you ever tried to write one yourself? It’s not easy to do. Or at least do it well.

The 1910 Fruitgum Company was one of the most successful bubblegum pop groups of the late 1960s, helping define a musical movement built around catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, and irresistible sing-along choruses. Originally formed in Linden, New Jersey, as Jeckell and the Hydes, the group eventually became associated with producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz, two of the most influential figures in the bubblegum pop explosion. With musicians including Frank Jeckell, Mark Gutkowski, Pat Karwan, Floyd Marcus, and Steve Mortkowitz, the band developed a sound that appealed to younger audiences during an era when much of rock music was becoming increasingly serious and experimental.

The group’s breakthrough came in 1968 with the enormous success of “Simon Says,” a song inspired by the familiar children’s game. The single reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the United Kingdom, establishing the band as one of the leading acts in bubblegum pop. They followed that success with additional hits, including “1, 2, 3, Red Light,” “Goody Goody Gumdrops,” and “Indian Giver.” Their records became fixtures on AM radio, and their simple but memorable melodies helped turn bubblegum music into a major commercial force during the final years of the 1960s.

Although the original group’s biggest commercial success lasted only a few years, the 1910 Fruitgum Company left behind a collection of songs that captured the carefree spirit of late 1960s pop music. Their recordings appeared on the Buddah Records label, and several became million-selling singles while reaching audiences around the world. Alongside groups such as the Ohio Express and the Archies, they helped establish bubblegum pop as one of the decade’s most recognizable musical styles. Our Top 10 1910 Fruitgum Company Songs list celebrates their biggest hits and some additional recordings that remain part of their musical legacy.

# 10 – The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)

The 1910 Fruitgum Company recorded “The Mighty Quinn” for their 1968 album 1, 2, 3, Red Light. Bob Dylan wrote the song, and Manfred Mann had already made it a major international hit earlier that year. Although the 1910 Fruitgum Company recording wasn’t a charting single, its upbeat interpretation fit comfortably alongside the group’s other bubblegum pop recordings. The track remains an interesting example of the band’s ability to adapt material from outside the bubblegum genre.

# 9 – Go Away

“Go Away” was released as a single in May 1970 on the Super K label. Ritchie Cordell, Sal Trimachi, Jerry Kasenetz, and Jeff Katz wrote the song, continuing the group’s association with the songwriting and production team behind much of their earlier success. Although it failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, it reached number 77 on the Australian singles chart. The recording was one of the group’s final attempts to recapture the commercial success they enjoyed in the late 1960s.

# 8 – When We Get Married

The 1910 Fruitgum Company released “When We Get Married” on Buddah Records in November 1969. Written by J. J. Woods and Ritchie Cordell, the song offered a more romantic approach than the playful recordings that had originally brought the group fame. The single peaked at number 118 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart but didn’t enter the main Hot 100. Despite its modest commercial performance, the recording remains an interesting example of the group’s efforts to expand beyond their established bubblegum sound.

# 7 – May I Take a Giant Step (Into Your Heart)

Released in April 1968, “May I Take a Giant Step (Into Your Heart)” was written by Elliot Chiprut, who also wrote the group’s breakthrough hit, “Simon Says.” The song reached number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 in Canada. Its playful title and catchy melody followed the same formula that had made “Simon Says” such an enormous success. Although it did not reach the Top 40, the single helped maintain the band’s presence on American radio during their remarkable first year of commercial success.

# 6 – The Train

“The Train” was released as a single in July 1969 and appeared on the group’s album Hard Ride. Written by Jerry Kasenetz, Jeff Katz, and Ritchie Cordell, the song reached number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its energetic rhythm and memorable chorus continued the band’s tradition of producing accessible pop recordings built around simple melodic hooks. Although it did not match the chart success of their earlier singles, “The Train” became another nationally charting record for the group during the final stages of their commercial peak.

# 5 – Special Delivery

The 1910 Fruitgum Company released “Special Delivery” in 1969 as a single from their album Indian Giver. Written by Bobby Bloom and Bo Gentry, the song reached number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving the group another American Top 40 hit. It performed even better in South Africa, where it climbed to number three on the national singles chart. Its bright melody, energetic arrangement, and memorable chorus helped extend the band’s popularity beyond the enormous success of their first several singles.

# 4 – Goody Goody Gumdrops

Released in October 1968, “Goody Goody Gumdrops” became another hit for the 1910 Fruitgum Company, peaking at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100. Jerry Kasenetz, Jeff Katz, Reid Whitelaw, and Billy Carl wrote the song, and it served as the title track of the group’s 1968 album. Its cheerful chorus and infectious rhythm perfectly captured the bubblegum sound that had made the band popular with younger listeners. The recording helped the group score yet another Top 40 hit during its breakthrough year.

# 3 – Indian Giver

“Indian Giver” was released in January 1969 and became one of the 1910 Fruitgum Company’s biggest commercial successes. Written by Bobby Bloom, Bo Gentry, and Ritchie Cordell, the single reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and climbed to number one in Canada. It also reached number five in Australia. The song’s driving rhythm, catchy chorus, and polished production helped make it one of the defining bubblegum pop recordings of 1969 and the group’s final American Top 10 hit.

# 2 – 1, 2, 3, Red Light

The 1910 Fruitgum Company released “1, 2, 3, Red Light” in July 1968, following their earlier success with “Simon Says.” Written by Bobbi Trimachi and Sal Trimachi, the song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one in Canada. Like their breakthrough recording, the song incorporated the familiar language of childhood games into an irresistible pop melody. Its commercial success confirmed that the 1910 Fruitgum Company was far more than a one-hit wonder and helped establish the band as one of the biggest names in bubblegum music.

# 1 – Simon Says

“Simon Says” was released in December 1967 and became a major international hit during the early months of 1968. Written by Elliot Chiprut, the song reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the United Kingdom Singles Chart, and number one in Canada. The recording was certified gold in the United States and became one of the most recognizable songs of the entire bubblegum pop movement. Its playful lyrics, unforgettable chorus, and simple dance instructions made it enormously popular with young audiences and established the 1910 Fruitgum Company as one of the leading pop groups of 1968.

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