Tutti Frutti Quotes
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Source: Tutti Frutti
Speaker: Little Richard
Tutti frutti, oh rutti.
Context
This line was sung by Little Richard in the song "Tutti Frutti" from the album Here's Little Richard (1955).
The lyrics of this song sound like baby talk or some kind of novelty ice cream treat, but "Tutti Frutti" was one of the pioneering songs of rock and roll. It mixed rhythm and blues, gospel, and lots of boogie woogie to create a new genre of music. This is why "Tutti Frutti" was chosen in 2010 as one of the songs to be preserved by the Library of Congress' National Registry.
But even though "Tutti Frutti" seems nonsensical and innocent, its origins were a little more salacious. The original lyrics were filled with innuendoes about gay men, so Little Richard's record company hired a writer, Dorothy Labostrie, to tone its content down.
Except Labostrie claims that she wrote all of "Tutti Frutti" by herself after hearing Little Richard's voice. She apparently got the name of the song from her favorite flavor of ice cream.
Regardless of who came up with the song, "Tutti Frutti" was a huge success and put rock and roll on the map. Countless famous artists, like Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, MC5, and even Queen recorded cover versions to show their appreciation for the father of rock.
Where you've heard it
"Tutti Frutti," along with Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," is an essential part of any 1950s-themed shindig. But if you only go to '80s or '90s-themed parties, you may have heard it in the underrated animated movie The Bravest Little Toaster or episodes of Dancing with the Stars or The Simpsons.
According to Beatles biographer Mark Lewisohn and Paul McCartney biographer Barry Miles, the Beatles performed many covers of Little Richard songs, including "Tutti Frutti," at their early gigs.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
"Tutti Frutti" is a classic song, but quoting it now will make you seem like some sort of time traveler from the 1950s.