`Itsy ... Bikini' songwriter dies at 68

Thanks for posting. I guess he could go to his reward with a smile on his face, with Itsy Bitsy playing 24/7 on TV.

It drives me crazy that the commercial only repeats the first line over and over, instead of going on to the 2nd verse. Maybe that's all they got permission for. They just keep saying "that she wore for the first time today," instead of saying "but in the locker she wanted to stay" after the 2nd repetition of Itsy Bitsy.

I didn't know he also wrote "Catch a Falling Star" - good song. *Never let it fade away ...*

*... for when your troubles start to multiplyin' ... and they just might ...
It's easy to forget them without tryin' ...
With just a ... pocketful of starlight ...
Pocketful of starlight ...
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket ...*

*Save it for a rainy, rainy day.*

Loved Perry Como - he made everything he did seem so *easy.*

As far as the Korean Conflict, I don't know exactly Vance's background or true age, but I know the Pacific Fleet was still in Korea up until probably 1957-1958, when what would be considered the Vietnam Conflict ostensibly began over there.

If you were in the Navy while it was engaged, even in reserves, that is the conflict you were considered to be assigned to, even if you never saw active duty.

I had the biggest crush on Brian Hyland back then - well, actually, later than that, when he did "Sealed with a Kiss."

OMG, I could *emote* over that song, singing it with such wailing and gnashing of teeth and teen angst.

*Though we've got to say good-bye ...
For the summer ...
Darling, I promise you this ...
I'll send you all my love, every day in a le-e-tter ...
Sealed with a kiss ...

Yes, it's gonna be a cold, lonely summer ...
But I'll feel (fill sounded like feel) the emptiness ...
I'll send you all my dreams ...
Every day in a le-e-tter ...
And seal it with a kiss ...

I'll see you in the sunlight ...
I'll hear your voice everywhere ...
I'll run to tenderly hold you ...
But, darling, you won't be there ...

I don't wanna say goodbye for the su-u-mmer,
Knowing the love we'll miss ...
So, let us make a pledge to meet in Septe-e-mber ...
And seal it ... with a kiss ...
Sealed with a kiss ... sealed with a kiss ...*

*swoon* *thud*

Brian's "Sealed With a Kiss" was a great song. Its popularity coincided with the time that I finally figured out girls weren't icky and it was great to "dance" to. Shuffling my feet was a more accurate description, but most girls didn't seem to mind.

Brian's "Gypsy Woman" was another terrific tune and I still listen to it on the computer.

Those were the days.

I hate to bring this up as I love the songs mentioned, but dying at 68 now puts him at 12 in 1950 thus a little young to be a Navy vet in Korea.

It's one of those stories, this happens periodically. You caught only one of several suspicious bits of "information" in the obit. The real Paul Vance, much older, is still alive. AP has issued a retraction.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.