The song was written in 1953 by Freddie Bell and his friend Pep Lattanzi, but was not recorded until three years later after the group had signed to Mercury, and were spotted by film producer Sam Katzman.
Katzman offered the Bellboys a part in Rock Around the Clock and "Giddy Up a Ding Dong" became their first Mercury release,[1] and was featured in the film.
[2] The publicity for the single said, "If these sides don't move you, see a doctor – you're dead.
"[1] The lyrics to the song are about a horse ride, with a definite western flavor, with the music having a loping, horse-like cadence.
Bill Haley & His Comets performed a unique version of the song during their 1958 European tour that used different lyrics referring to popular cowboy-film stars of the day (a performance of this version recorded at the Paris Olympia is preserved on the 2002 album release Vive la Rock and Roll (Big Beat Records: BBR 00073)).