"Ya Ya" is a song by Lee Dorsey. The song was written by Lee Dorsey, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson and Morris Levy. Levy’s participation in the writing has been previously called into question. In fact, the Flashback release of the single (image) lists only Dorsey and Lewis as writers, as do the liner notes to the American Graffiti soundtrack.
The song was inspired by a children’s nursery rhyme.
The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B singles chart in 1961.
According to author Mark Lewisohn in "The Complete Beatles Chronicles" (p. 365) The Beatles performed Ya Ya regularly live from 1961 till in 1962 (in Hamburg and Liverpool and elsewhere). The lead vocal was always by John Lennon. No recorded version is known to survive. However immediately after The Beatles left Polydor Records their close associates Tony Sheridan and Roy Young cut a version of it for that studio. Much later (1974) John Lennon cut a fine version for his Rock And Roll album.
Tony Sheridan recorded it in 1962 with "The Beat Brothers" (wrongly believed to be The Beatles, who had no actual involvement in the track as they had just left Polydor. The single was released in October 1962. It is available on the 1964 release The Beatles' First among others.
Petula Clark recorded the song ("Ya Ya Twist") in French (released in 1962, #1)
In 1962, Dalida covered the song in German under the title "Ya Ya Twist".
In 1964, Joel Denis covered the song in French "Le Yaya".
In 1966, Tommy James and the Shondells released a version as the B-side to their song "It's Only Love."
Mouse and the Traps recorded Ya Ya as the B-side of their 1967 single "Cryin' Inside".
The Hombres included a cover on their only album Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out), in 1968.
Lee Michaels covered the song on his 1971 album 5th.
Ike & Tina Turner covered the song in the early 1970s but their version was not released until 2004 on the album Ike Turner: His Woman, Her Man.
John Lennon included a snippet of himself and his son Julian playing the song on the 1974 album Walls and Bridges. Lennon covered the song fully on his 1975 album Rock 'n' Roll.
Trio played it live on their album Trio live 1982
Steve Miller covered the song on his 1988 album Born 2 B Blue.
In 1994 Mitsou covered the song in French "Le Yaya".
Goran Bregović covered the song as "Ringe ringe raja" in his soundtrack for the 1995 film Underground.
