R.I.P.: Songwriter Paul Vance, 'Itsy Bitsy..Bikini' Composer

Paul Vance

Paul Vance, the songwriter behind "Itsy Bisty Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and hundreds of other songs, died May 30 at the age of 92. His cause of death was not disclosed, reports Entertainment.

The following day, his daughter Paula confirmed Vance's death in a post on her Facebook page, writing that her father died while they listened to "Playground in My Mind," a Vance song that features his son Philip on vocals.

Born Joseph Paul Florio on Nov. 4, 1929, Vance also wrote "Catch a Falling Star" and "Tracy," among scores of other songs. His music was performed by artists including Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, and Robert Goulet.

Brian Hyland's version of "Itsy Bisty Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" became a global hit in 1960, spending 13 weeks on the Billboard top 40, including one week in the No. 1 spot.

Vance was inspired to write his best-known song after Paula nervously donned her first two-piece swimsuit. In her Facebook post, Paula wrote that she was actually 2 years old when she emerged from the dressing room wrapped in a towel — not 9, as was often reported.

Vance and his co-writer Lee Pockriss churned out tunes from the famed Brill Building in New York City. By 1966, their songs had sold more than 50 million copies, according to Billboard magazine. Pockriss died in 2011.

The pair also wrote the novelty tune "Leader of the Laundromat," which parodied the Shangri-Las track "Leader of the Pack." Vance's last major hit, "Run Joey Run," was a 1975 success for singer David Geddes.