"Girl Watcher" is a song written by Ronald B. Killette and Wayne Pittman and performed by The O'Kaysions. It was produced by North State Music.[1] The single was first released in March 1968 on North State Records, but it did not become a hit until re-released in June 1968 on ABC Records.[2]

"Girl Watcher"
Single by The O'Kaysions
from the album Girl Watcher
B-side"Deal Me In"
ReleasedMarch 1968 (Original US release)
June 1968 (Second US release)
GenreBlue-eyed soul
Length2:35
LabelABC
Songwriter(s)Ronald B. Killette, Wayne Pittman
Producer(s)North State Music
The O'Kaysions singles chronology
"Girl Watcher"
(1968)
"Love Machine"
(1968)

"Girl Watcher" received gold record status for a million sales from the R.I.A.A. in December 1968.[3]

Chart performance

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It reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1968[4] and was featured on the group's 1968 album, Girl Watcher.[5]

The single ranked No.45 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1968.[6]

Certifications

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Certifications for "Girl Watcher"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

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  • Tam White, as a single in 1968 in the UK.[8]
  • In the 80s, the long-running syndicated game show Wheel of Fortune commissioned a promotional version with adapted lyrics titled "I'm a Wheel Watcher" and was also used on the show itself when Vanna White was introduced.[9] The Italian version titled La Ruota Della Fortuna ("The Wheel of Fortune") has a theme song called "Gira la Ruota" ("Spin the Wheel") that sounds very similar to "I'm a Wheel Watcher", which could've been the inspiration for it.
  • Spontaneous Combustion, on their 2004 album Strike Anywhere.[10]
  • Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi-Rollers, with the title "I'm a Girl Watcher", on the 1999 album Zydeco Giant.[11]
  • In the Nickelodeon show Zoey 101 episode "Dance Contest", the song is remade to "I'm a Contender" by Scott Bennett in 2007.

References

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  1. ^ "The O'Kaysions, "Girl Watcher" Second Single Release". Discogs. June 1968. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  2. ^ "The O'Kaysions, "Girl Watcher" Original Single Release". Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  3. ^ MurrellI, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 245. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. ^ "The O'Kaysions, "Girl Watcher" Chart Positions". Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  5. ^ "The O'Kaysions, Girl Watcher". Discogs. 1968. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  6. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1968". Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  7. ^ "American single certifications – Kaysions – Girl Watcher". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  8. ^ "Tam White, "Girl Watcher" Single Release". Discogs. 1968. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  9. ^ "Wheel Watcher Wheel Of Fortune Promo". YouTube. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  10. ^ "Spontaneous Combustion, Strike Anywhere". Discogs. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  11. ^ "Beau Jocque And The Zydeco Hi-Rollers* – Zydeco Giant". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2020.