Introduction
“Splish Splash” is a 1958 novelty rock song performed and co-written by Bobby Darin. The song originated from a bet with DJ Murray Kaufman, who challenged Darin to write a song starting with the words, “Splish splash, I was takin’ a bath,” a phrase suggested by Kaufman’s mother, Jean. To avoid any hint of payola, the song was credited to Darin and “Jean Murray” (a combination of their names).
Recorded on April 10, 1958, at Atlantic Studios in New York City, “Splish Splash” featured musicians such as Jesse Powell on tenor sax, Al Caiola and Billy Mure on guitar, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Panama Francis on drums.
The song became Darin’s first hit, reaching No. 3 on the U.S. pop singles chart, No. 2 on the R&B Best Sellers chart, and No. 3 in Canada. It also marked his only entry on the Country & Western Best Sellers chart, peaking at No. 14.
The lyrics of “Splish Splash” reference several contemporary songs and characters, including “Lollipop,” “Peggy Sue,” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.” In a 1967 interview, Darin mentioned that he was so happy about having his first hit that his skin condition cleared up.
“Splish Splash” not only launched Bobby Darin’s career but also showcased his versatility as an artist, paving the way for future hits across various genres.