Back then, early 1966, the record executives, being no slouches when it came to making money on a fad, wanted a song with the word "groovy" in the title. Who better to write it than two women, one of whom, Toni, was not really a woman if you were to check her I.D. The girl was only 17 years old.
Toni Wine's mom worked for MGM in NYC. Mom sent her kid, who was visiting the office, down to check out where MGM records were made. Toni impressed the execs there and they signed her as a writer at age 15. At 17 she and a high school English teacher, Carol Bayer, wrote a song which contained the word "groovy". It only took them 20 minutes to write a song that would, only a few short months later, be near the top of the pop charts (Cashbox #1; Billboard #2). It was recorded by the Mindbenders -- part of the British Invasion. I remember this one well from my youth. I also remember it being a warm summer as the radio played to death this silly, but catchy, song.The part of this story that is most amazing to me is that the song came back to life years later. I never would have expected a song, based on a word that was a fad, to be an even bigger hit 22 years later. But, that was the case. Phil Collins rode his cover version all the way to the top of the carts, for a full two weeks, in the fall of 1988. I guess that proves that "groovy" is a word for the ages. Who would've thunk it?
By the way, Toni Wine has said that she thinks the Collins version is great. She feels that Phil achieved a more intimate and touching record than the original. Pretty groovy, huh?
For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar 
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the musical history lesson. It must be just about time for another remake. Maybe Adam Lambert can sing it on American Idol and take it to the top of the charts again.
It has probably been done more times than any of us realize but those are the only two versions that pop into my aged mind.
Isn't it amazing how music connects a memory or an emotion in time? Great history blog and things that I didn't know about the word. "Groovy man, Peace".
i love your music stories...very nice time tunnels that you send us down!
Li,
Glad you like them. They are fun to research and write.
I wonder how many today actually know where the word came from Steve. Interesting, didn't care for the song much first time around and was not enthused the second time.
C'mon Jack, I know you thought it was groovy.
Really, really groovy blog! I liked both versions and had never heard the groovy history!
Barbara,
The fact you left the groovy comments left me in a warm groove.
Steven - Thanks for this post. I actually learned something here, and you reminded me that it's been a long time since I last wrote about music. :)
Jason,
You need to put together another contest.
Steve I wasn't suggesting that you weren't in the groove. I just didn't find the music groovy. Like on Dick Clark I gave it a 2.
No problem Jack. I find that your comments were groovy and I have always thought that Izzy is the grooviest guy on Active Rain. Thanks for keeping things groovy here in the rain.
It appears that all the "groovy" blog responses have been used up. I'm a long time fan of Phil, and appreciate the clip....
Steven. Amen Brother on the playing to death of this Groovy song - Yeech!
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
Michael,
You are probably way more groovy now than you were back then.
Cheryl,
I think your comments were groovy.