Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann

This track by Manfred Mann spent two weeks at the top of the UK singles chart in 1964.

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Do wah diddy diddy by Manfred Mann replaced A hard day’s night by the Beatles at the top of the UK singles chart this week in 1964. It had entered the top 40 four weeks previously at number 30 and broke into the top 10 a week later.

The song stayed at number 1 for two weeks and then made way for Have I the right? by the Honeycombs. It then spent another four weeks in the top 10, two of them in the top 5, before dropping into the lower top 40 for the final four weeks of its chart life.

Do wah diddy diddy was released on the HMV record label and was the first of three UK number 1 hits for Manfred Mann. The original version of the song was recorded in 1963 by the Exciters but it did not enter the UK chart. It entered the top 40 again in 2001 when DJ Otzi took it to number 9 with a shorter title of Do wah diddy.

More music from Manfred Mann

 

More number ones from 1964

 

UK singles chart for the week ending 15 August 1964

1. Do wah diddy diddy – Manfred Mann

2. A hard day’s night – Beatles

3. Call up the groups (medley) – Barron Knights

4. It’s all over now – Rolling Stones

5. I won’t forget you – Jim Reeves

6. Tobacco Road – Nashville Teens

7. I just don’t know what to do with myself – Dusty Springfield

8. I get around – Beach Boys

9. On the beach – Cliff Richard and the Shadows

10. It’s only make believe – Billy Fury