Peak
7
Weeks
15
Score
2,592
Chart Year
1964
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This was written by Mort Shuman and John Leslie McFarland. Shuman had written hits for Elvis Presley. This is about a guy who tries to convince his girlfriend's younger siblings to keep quiet so he doesn't get in trouble. Kramer was a British Rail fitter until Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed him in 1963. Epstein put him with the Manchester group The Dakotas and got them to record some songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They immediately scored a #2 UK hit with "Do You Want To Know a Secret," the first ever cover of a Lennon and McCartney song to chart. The follow up "Bad To Me," which was written specifically by John Lennon for the group, became their first UK chart topper. After another Lennon and McCartney Top Five single, "I'll Keep You Satisfied," they recorded this, which became their second UK #1 hit and their first American hit. Kramer's real name is William Ashton. John Lennon suggested adding the "J" so he would stand out from other singers with the same last name. >>
Little children, you better not tell on me I'm tellin' you Little children, you better not tell what you see And if you're good I'll give you candy and a quarter If you're quiet like you oughta be And keep a secret with me I wish they would go away Little children, now why aren't you playin' outside I'm askin' you You can't fool me, 'cause I'm gonna know if you hide and try to peek I'm gonna treat you to a movie Stop your gigglin', children do be nice Like little sugars and spice You saw me kissin' your sister, you saw me holdin' her hand But if you snitch to your mother, your father won't understand I wish they would take a nap Little children, now why don't you go bye-bye Go anywhere at all Little children, I know you would if you tried Go up the stairs Me and your sister, we're goin' steady How can I kiss her when I'm ready to With little children like you around I wonder what can I do around Little children like you
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 18, 1964 | 87 | 39 |
| 2 | Apr 25, 1964 | 61 | 65 |
| 3 | May 2, 1964 | 35 | 91 |
| 4 | May 9, 1964 | 23 | 103 |
| 5 | May 16, 1964 | 16 | 110 |
| 6 | May 23, 1964 | 11 | 115 |
| 7 | May 30, 1964 | 8 | 118 |
| 8 | Jun 6, 1964 | 8 | 118 |
| 9 | Jun 13, 1964 | 7 | 119 |
| 10 | Jun 20, 1964 | 11 | 115 |
| 11 | Jun 27, 1964 | 12 | 114 |
| 12 | Jul 4, 1964 | 14 | 112 |
| 13 | Jul 11, 1964 | 19 | 107 |
| 14 | Jul 18, 1964 | 29 | 97 |
| 15 | Jul 25, 1964 | 41 | 85 |