This Was a Thing: "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"

I won’t lie, I absolutely love this little gem of a pop culture era gone by.  The clip, which comes from 1959, features Connie Stevens and Edd Byrnes singing “Kookie, Kookie Lend Me Your Comb.” The song is best remembered by contemporary audience on novelty 1950s albums, or on radio stations (okay... iTunes channels) that play songs like Purple People Eater, and Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.

‘Kookie’ is a direct reference to Byrnes character on the hit series 77 Sunset Strip, which ran on ABC from 1958 until 1964.

The blatant lip-syncing, Byrnes shameless mugging for the camera, and Steven’s giddy (or is that nervous) body language all combine to paint a picture of how teenage culture was perceived in the close of the 1950s. This clip coincides to the period when television shows began marketing themselves to teenagers through ‘rock and roll’ songs. Two of the best known examples are Ricky Nelson’s work on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and Shelley Fabares work on The Donna Reed Show.  

Fans of this era in music should check out the NRRA YouTube page, there’s a collection of amazing, rare music numbers.