"
1 - 2 - 3" is a 1965
song written and recorded by
Len Barry. The song was co-written by John Madara (
John Medora) and
David White. The recording's chorus and accompaniment was arranged by
Jimmy Wisner. The single was released in 1965 on the American Decca label. The writers were sued by
Motown Records at the time, claiming that the song is a reworking of
Holland-Dozier-Holland's "
Ask Any Girl" released by
The Supremes as the
B-side to their single "
Baby Love" the year before. They denied the claim, but after two years of litigation, agreed to give the Motown writers 15% of the song's writing and publishing royalties. Holland-Dozier-Holland are listed as co-authors by
BMI. The personnel on the Original recording included Vinnie Bell, Bobby Eli and Sal Ditroia on guitar, Joe Macho on Bass, Artie Butler on Percussion, Leon Huff on piano,
Artie Kaplan on sax, Bill Tole and Roswell Rudd on Trombone, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Fred Hubbard on clarinet, and Bobby Gregg on drums.