[2] It was written by a 16-year-old Maurice Williams with both melody and doo-wop accompaniment strongly emphasizing a Calypso rhythm.
First recorded in January 1957 by Williams' group the Gladiolas, it was quickly released as a single on Excello Records, a small swamp blues label owned by Nashville record man Earnie Young, who was responsible for creating the song's Latin feel, naming the group and ensuring Williams would retain the song's publishing.
Normally, this would have been an outrage, but there's a reason why the Diamonds' version has sustained its popularity over the years: it's a better, fiercer recording.
At times, the vocal phrases verge on self-parody -- the "ai-ya-yi-yai-yai-ya"'s or the "wella-wella"'s -- which may be why The Diamonds' version is superior.
[5]On the Pop Chronicles, host John Gilliland claimed that their version was in fact a parody of the genre.