The Sherman Brothers went on to win two Oscars for Mary Poppins several years later. It was rumored that the song was about Paul Anka, but Anka denied this, saying that he was not tall. (Source: A&E Biography on Annette Funicello.)
It marked the first time that a female singer reached a top ten slot with a rock and roll single. It also spotlighted Annette from the group of Mouseketeers on the Mickey Mouse Club and paved the way for her movie career. Walt Disney personally took notice of the string of chart toppers the Sherman Brothers were writing for Annette and subsequently asked them to work for him exclusively.