Sweet Pea

Album: Sweet Pea (1966)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This proved to be a comeback single for Roe as it was his first Top 40 hit in two years and was recorded after he finished a stint in the army. Roe was known for his fun, upbeat Pop songs (often derided by critics as "Bubblegum"), and this one is no exception - it's about asking a girl to dance. Our hero succeeds not only in dancing with Sweet Pea, but also in bringing her outside for a walk where he asks if she'll be his girl. Roe wrote the song himself. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA
  • The song was recorded in Los Angeles with some of the top studio musicians of the day: Ben Benay and Mike Deasy on guitar, Jerry Scheff on bass, Jim Troxel and Toxie French on drums, and Butch Parker and Mike Henderson on keyboards.

Comments: 8

  • Herbert Saraga from New YorkI wanted to see the words to Tommy Roe's "Sweet Pea" since my 19 year old parakeet's name is Sweet Pea. Also since my son Jonathan Saraga is a terrific doctor of musical arts and a marvelous trumpeter I am interested in everything and everyone musical to see if there could be any connection.
  • Anonomus from PennsylvaniaGreat song from yesteryear! Brings back my memories of early childhood when my older brother was listening to this song on his 45 RPM record.
  • Tom S. from Wichita FallsOn a cruise ship Tommy Roe was autographing an album cover. He commented that Sweet Pea was on the cover with him and the band. Sweet Pea was his dog!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 22nd 1966, Tommy Roe performed "Sweet Pea" on the ABC-TV week-day afternoon program 'Where The Action Is'...
    Two days later on July 24th it would peak at #8 {for two weeks}...
    And on this same 'Action' show he also performed "Hooray for Hazel"...
    Just under two months later on September 10th he would appear on Dick Clark's other ABC program, 'American Bandstand', and as on 'Action' he performed both "Sweet Pea" and "Hooray for Hazel".
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkOMG! I see my brother Raunchy has posted a comment here. Yep, it's me that had/has a crush on Tommy Roe in the Sixties. Back then, I didn't care if it was Bubblegum Music, I loved it anyway. Roe had a good string of hits & his music made you feel good. As Raunchy said, one of our male cousins did have a big crush on Tommy Roe back then. He's still a wild card. Bless his heart. Anyway, my music tastes changed and I got into hard rock and later punk rock as it was developing. Quite a ways from Tommy Roe's music. But I am still his fan! Go Roe Go!! Whip it to me, big boy!!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 5th 1966, "Sweet Pea" by Tommy Roe entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #90; and on July 24th it peaked at #8 (for 2 weeks) and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on August 1st it reached #1 (for 1 week) on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart and #7 in Australia...
    Between 1962 and 1973 he had twenty-two records make the Top 100; with six made the Top 10 and two reaching #1, "Sheila" (for 2 weeks in 1962) and "Dizzy" (for 4 weeks in 1969)...
    Mr. Roe celebrated his 72nd birthday one month ago on May 9th, 2014.
  • Raunchy from Tulsa, OkYep, this is a light-hearted song & big hit for Tommy Roe from 1966. And the music scene at the time had a very wide variety of song genres (bubblegum, instrumental, folk-rock, pop, R&B, country-rock, psychedlic, rock/blues, etc.). So, for this to make the Top Ten really speaks loads. One of my sisters had this single in '66 because she had a hot crush on Tommy Roe. Well, uh, so did one of my male counsins too. But that's how it goes some times. haaaa
  • Minna from Joplin, MoGreat bubblegum!!!! Song was often sampled in hip hop (MC LYTE)and acid house (Pychic TV) and many others. Had this 45 as a child and I still rock it to this day.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.