The Jolly Green Giant
A 1965 novelty hit based on a food mascot.
The Kingsmen recorded "The Jolly Green Giant," a song inspired by the mascot of the Green Giant food brand. It was the sole single from their 1965 album *The Kingsmen Volume 3*. The track was originally credited only to Lynn Easton as its writer, but Don Harris and Dewey Terry were later added as co-writers after it was recognized as a reworking of the Olympics' song "Big Boy Pete." The Kingsmen handled the arrangement, and Jerry Dennon produced it. The single reached No. 1 on the Canadian chart, No. 4 on the U.S. Pop chart, and No. 25 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1965. *Billboard* ranked it No. 39 on its Top 100 singles of that year. Several other artists also released versions in 1965, including Sandy Nelson on his album *Drum Discotheque*, the Ravens as the B-side to "Listen to Me Now," and uncredited groups on labels like Hit, Hit Parader, and Seeburg Rec-O-Dance. Later covers appeared on albums by the Royal Guardsmen (1967), Don and the Goodtimes (1995), and the Knickerbockers (1998).
- artist
- The Kingsmen
- writers
- Lynn Easton, Don Harris, Dewey Terry
- year
- 1965
- chart_performance
- No. 1 Canada, No. 4 US Pop, No. 25 US R&B
- album
- The Kingsmen Volume 3
- producer
- Jerry Dennon
- arranger
- The Kingsmen
Lore & Background
The song was originally credited only to Lynn Easton, but Don Harris and Dewey Terry were later added as co-writers when it was determined the song was a rewrite of the Olympics song 'Big Boy Pete'. The single was arranged by the Kingsmen and produced by Jerry Dennon. It reached No. 1 on the Canadian chart, No. 4 on the U.S. Pop chart, and No. 25 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1965. The song ranked No. 39 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 singles of 1965.
Reader's Guide
The Jolly Green Giant is significant as a one-hit novelty single that capitalized on a popular advertising mascot. Its chart success in Canada and the United States demonstrates the crossover appeal of such novelty records in the mid-1960s. The song's disputed authorship—originally credited solely to Easton before Harris and Terry were added—reflects common issues of songwriting credit in the era. The track's inclusion on various compilation albums and cover versions by artists like Sandy Nelson, The Ravens, The Royal Guardsmen, Don and the Goodtimes, and The Knickerbockers shows its enduring presence in pop culture. Its ranking at No. 39 on Billboard's year-end chart underscores its commercial impact.
Did You Know?
- The song was originally credited only to Lynn Easton; Don Harris and Dewey Terry were later added as co-writers.
- It was determined to be a rewrite of the Olympics song 'Big Boy Pete'.
- The song reached No. 1 on the Canadian chart, No. 4 on the U.S. Pop chart, and No. 25 on the U.S. R&B chart in 1965.
- It ranked No. 39 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 singles of 1965.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Jolly Green Giant?
The Jolly Green Giant is a 1965 novelty single by The Kingsmen, built around the well-known Green Giant vegetable brand mascot. It served as the only single released from their album *The Kingsmen Volume 3*.
What are The Jolly Green Giant's powers or role in popular culture?
Its role is that of a lighthearted, mascot-themed novelty track that let The Kingsmen channel the playful image of the Green Giant brand into a rock-and-roll context. Jerry Dennon produced the record, and the band handled the arrangement themselves.
Who wrote The Jolly Green Giant?
The song was initially credited solely to Lynn Easton, but Don Harris and Dewey Terry were later added as co-writers once it was identified as a reworking of the Olympics' earlier tune "Big Boy Pete."
How did The Jolly Green Giant perform on the charts?
In 1965 the single topped the Canadian chart, peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Pop chart, and reached No. 25 on the U.S. R&B chart. *Billboard* ultimately ranked it as the No. 3 song of the year.
Why is The Jolly Green Giant important to fans of The Kingsmen?
As the sole single from *The Kingsmen Volume 3*, it represents the band's foray into novelty territory while still delivering solid chart results across multiple markets. It also highlights the songwriting credit dispute that added a layer of behind-the-scenes history to an otherwise fun, mascot-driven track.
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