A later version recorded by Jamaican singer Millie Small in 1964, with very similar rhythm, became an international hit that time and is one of the first songs to introduce ska music.

[1] The song caught the attention of one of Levy's partners, the later convicted mobster and music mogul Gaetano Vastola, aka "Corky".

Vastola had recently discovered 14-year-old singer Barbie Gaye (born Barbara Gaffney) after hearing her sing on a street corner in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Vastola became Gaye's manager and within days, he acquired the sheet music and lyrics for "My Girl Lollypop" from Levy.

Gaye met the three members of the session band, guitarist Leroy Kirkland, saxophonist Al Sears and drummer Panama Francis.

[3] The record sold in sufficient quantities locally to gain her a place in Freed's annual Christmas show at the New York Paramount in December 1956, when she opened for Little Richard.

[7] Her manager, Gaetano Vastola, routinely counterfeited his artists' music to keep all the profits, so the record's sales are difficult to determine.

Considered the first commercially successful international ska song, Small's version of "My Boy Lollipop" sold over 7 million copies worldwide and helped to launch Island Records into mainstream popular music.

[15] In an interview with journalist Tom Graves, in the August 2016 issue of Goldmine magazine, Small insisted that it was Stewart who played the harmonica solo.

Mike Wells, drummer with Cliff Adams & The Twilights, was hired by Harry Robinson (1932–1996) (Lord Rockingham's XI) and paid £7 10 shillings for the session after recording over the weekend at IBC Studios in Portland Place.

[16] British reggae DJ David Rodigan has stated that watching Millie Small perform the song at the Ready Steady Go!