About the song
Bobby Vee ~ Rubber Ball (1960) is a classic pop song that catapulted the singer to international fame. The song was written by Gene Pitney and Aaron Schroeder, and produced by Snuff Garrett. It was recorded on August 12, 1960, at United in Hollywood, with Earl Palmer on drums. The song features Vee’s overdubbed second vocal, creating a harmony effect.
The song is about a man who compares himself to a rubber ball, bouncing back to his lover after being rejected by another. The lyrics are catchy and playful, with a chorus that goes: “I’m like a rubber ball / Baby that’s all that I am to you / (Bouncy, bouncy) / (Bouncy, bouncy)”. The song has a upbeat tempo and a simple melody, making it easy to sing along.
The song was released as a single in late 1960, with Everyday as the B-side. It reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, #4 on the UK Singles Chart, and #1 in Australia. It was Vee’s fifth US single and his first major hit. The song also inspired several cover versions, including one by Marty Wilde that reached #9 in the UK in 1961.