Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Album: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Although his name is recognized universally as the creator of Agent 007 James Bond, the former Naval Intelligence officer Ian Fleming also wrote a famous children's novel about a magic car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Unsurprisingly, this was made into a musical - which differs substantially from the book. The 1968 film adaptation featured Dick Van Dyke in the lead role as the slightly eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Caractacus Pott in the book).

    The film opens with the overture of the title song, which is sung later by Potts and his quaintly named offspring Jeremy and Jemima, and also at the end of the film.

    The car's curious name comes from the sounds it makes, although there was a real Chitty Bang Bang - a racing car - back in the 1920s. Like the rest of the songs from this award winning musical, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was written by Richard and Robert Sherman - the renowned Sherman Brothers. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyWas nominated for Best Song at the 1968 Academy Awards {Lost to 'The Windmills of Your Mind' from the movie 'The Thomas Crown Affair'}!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?