Above is from a 1965 ‘Flintstones’ episode wherein the children of the Flintstones and Rubbles–Pebbles and Bam-Bam–have their moment in the singer/celebrity spotlight. The song that was chosen for them, ‘Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)’ has a curious history. It was written in 1954 by Stuart Hamblen,  an American entertainer who in 1926 became one of radio’s first singing cowboys, going on to become a singer, actor, radio show host and songwriter. He converted to Christianity under the ministry of Billy Graham becoming a temperance movement supporter and running several times for political office. 

The original version was by the Cowboy Church Sunday School and was a hit in the United States, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard Charts. Another widely known US recording was released shortly after by the McGuire Sisters and the United Kingdom saw a version by Joan Regan and her son Rusty. When the Cowboy Church Sunday School version is played at normal speed, the vocals sound unnaturally high. When played at 33⅓ rpm instead of 45 rpm the vocals sound more natural. The song was recorded at that speed, by Stuart Hamblen’s wife and adult daughter, so that when played at 45 rpm the song sounds as if it is being sung by children. Below I’ve posted the Cowboy Church Sunday School version. I’ll take Pebbles and Bam-Bam over them any day…