The Murmaids - Popsicles And Icicles (1963)

Despite the mention of icicles, this fabulous, romantic hit single by The Murmaids has a distinctively summer-like sound. However, despite all the lyrical allusions to popsicles, drive-ins on Friday night, baseball, and other warm weather activities, "Popsicles And Icicles" was actually released to US charts in October 1963, scoring at #3 on both Billboard and Cash Box in January 1964 right behind "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen and "There! I've Said It Again" by Bobby Vinton, both which took turns at being #1 until The Beatles upset the apple cart and changed music history. Anyway, I guess that's where the icicles finally come in, it being January, although they are actually a part of the composite from all the seasons of the year about the "boy" the girls singing are in love with.

"Popsicles and Icicles" was a rather progressive melody for its time, and a fitting precursor to the British Invasion right around the corner. The reason why it was such a good song doubtlessly was due to the fact that it was composed by David Gates who would go on to form the rock group Bread in 1970. Gates also had a little help composing The Murmaids' blockbuster hit from another early '60's megastar: Shelly Fabares (who recorded "Johnny Angel" in 1962). If you listen closely, you can hear elements in the song that would begin to be used seven years later by Gates in the many hit songs by Bread during the 1970's.

I was 10 when this song was popular and recall that it did get a lot of additional local radio air play the following year in the summer of 1964. DJs tended to do that if songs sounded like they would be good summer hits. 1964 was a wonderful year actually, because American rock n' roll and do wop had pretty much reached a peak in 1963 and the plateau of the '63 sound merged very well with the new music coming out of Great Britain courtesy of The Beatles and various other UK artists. In my mind, though, this lovely little tune still belongs more to the early 1960's. My video treatment of it therefore is very Kennedy-era ... at least as much as I could make it. You could say I have a soft spot for "Popsicles And Icicles" and the girl group that sang it, whether it is a winter or a summer memory, from a very special time growing up in America.

[anyamarie]

Popsicles and Icicles
Song by The Murmaids 1963
Songwriters: David Ashworth Gates

Popsicles, icicles, baseball and fancy clothes
These are a few of the things he loves
He loves Levis and brown eyes
And wind blowin' through his hair
These are a part of the boy I love

If you put them all together
Much to your surprise (oh tell me what)
You'll find a bit of heaven
Right before your eyes

Bright stars and guitars and
Drive-ins on Friday night
These are a few of the things we love

silly but still he is
Just what I dream about
Yes, he's the boy that I love

If you put them all together
Much to your surprise (oh tell me what)
You'll find a bit of heaven
Right before your eyes

Bright stars and guitars and
Drive-ins on Friday night
These are a few of the things we love

silly but still he is
Just what I dreamed about
Yes, he's the boy that I love

Popsicles, icicles
Popsicles, icicles, hmmm

[jayjay]

Does anyone know if the original group is still around?

[tomwalker]

Great video, Mike. At 1.37, there is a painting of women sipping from straws, and right after that at 1.41, there is a painting of a man kissing a woman seated in a car. Could you tell me where you found those paintings and the name of the artist or artists. I am asking because I am a big fan of old illustration art. Thank you.