Little Richard's iconic rock and roll anthem, "Tutti Frutti," is celebrated for its explosive energy and groundbreaking sound. However, the journey from its raw, improvised origins to its polished, chart-topping release involved a significant and controversial transformation of its lyrics. The song's initial verses were far more explicit than the version that became famous, leading to a hurried revision process that has since sparked debate about
authorship and the true meaning behind the words.
The genesis of the song occurred during a recording session in September 1955, when Little Richard, frustrated with the inability to capture his dynamic performance style, spontaneously began playing and singing a ribald song he had developed over several years. This impromptu performance, which producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell immediately recognized as a potential hit, contained lyrics that were deemed too risqué for public consumption, necessitating a swift and dramatic rewrite.
The Original Explicit Content
According to various accounts, Little Richard's original rendition of "Tutti Frutti" was overtly sexual. One widely cited version of the lyrics included lines such as: "Tutti Frutti, good booty / If it don't fit, don't force it / You can grease it, make it easy." Another version, recalled by Little Richard's drummer Charles Connor, was: "Tutti Frutti, good booty / If it's tight, it's all right / And if it's greasy, it makes it easy." Some sources even suggest that the original "Tutti Frutti" verses contained descriptions of anal sex, and that the term "Tutti Frutti" itself might have been a reference to a homosexual man.
These explicit lyrics, with their "minstrel modes and sexual humor," were a clear barrier to the song's commercial viability in the mid-1950s. Producer Blackwell understood that for the song to become a hit, its lyrical content needed to be sanitized. This realization led to the urgent recruitment of local songwriter Dorothy LaBostrie, who was tasked with revising the lyrics on the spot while Little Richard continued to perform his characteristic piano part.
The Revision Process and New Meanings
Dorothy LaBostrie, described by Blackwell as a "prolific writer" despite not fully understanding melody, quickly crafted new lyrics. The controversial lines were replaced with the now-famous, more ambiguous refrain: "Tutti Frutti, aw rooty! Tutti Frutti, aw rooty!" The phrase "aw rooty" was a slang term meaning "all right." While the overt sexual references were removed, the revised lyrics still retained a subtle double entendre, particularly in the first verse: "I got a girl, named Sue / She knows just what to do. / She rocks to the east, she rocks to the west / But she’s the girl that I love best." The verb "to rock" could imply anything from dancing to sexual activity, maintaining a hint of the song's original suggestive nature.
This revision was completed under tight time constraints, with Little Richard recording the new version in just three takes, taking about 15 minutes. The song was released in November 1955 and became an instant success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues chart and crossing over to the pop charts. The transformation of its lyrics was crucial to its widespread acceptance and enduring popularity.
Debates Over Authorship and Inspiration
Beyond the lyrical content, the authorship of "Tutti Frutti" has also been a point of contention. The song is officially credited to Dorothy LaBostrie, Richard Penniman (Little Richard), and a mysterious "J. Lubin." Some speculate that "Lubin" was a pseudonym for Specialty Records owner Art Rupe, used to claim royalties. LaBostrie herself claimed sole authorship, stating that Little Richard "didn't write none of 'Tutti Frutti'." She recounted being inspired by a new ice cream flavor and writing the song, along with two others, on the same day she was called to the studio.
However, this account is challenged by others. Phil Walden, co-founder of Capricorn Records, stated that he had seen Little Richard perform an "off-color" version of "Tutti Frutti" as a teenager, prior to its recording, suggesting Richard had indeed composed an earlier version. Despite the differing narratives, LaBostrie continued to receive significant royalty checks from the song for decades, highlighting its lasting commercial impact and the complex history behind its creation.
