Sweet little Sheila, you'll know her if you see her
Blue eyes and a ponytail
Her cheeks are rosy, she looks a little nosy
Man, this little girl is fine

Never knew a girl like-a little Sheila
Her name drives me insane
Sweet little girl, that's my little Sheila
Man, this little girl is fine

Me and Sheila go for a ride
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I feel all funny inside
Then little Sheila whispers in my ear
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I love you Sheila dear

Sheila said she loved me, she said she'd never leave me
True love will never die
We're so doggone happy just bein' around together
Man, this little girl is fine

Never knew a girl like-a little Sheila
Her name drives me insane
Sweet little girl, that's my little Sheila
Man, this little girl is fine

Me and Sheila go for a ride
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I feel all funny inside
Then little Sheila whispers in my ear
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I love you Sheila dear

Sheila said she loved me, she said she'd never leave me
True love will never die
We're so doggone happy just bein' around together
Man, this little girl is fine
Oh, this little girl is fine
Yeah, this little girl is fine
Oh, this little girl is fine

Overall Meaning

Tommy Roe's song "Sheila" is a classic example of the innocent pop music of the 1960s. The song describes a girl named Sheila whom the singer cannot resist because of her striking blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and "nosy" look. The use of the word "nosy" is more likely intended to mean "cute and curious" rather than "intrusive." He finds her name to be irresistible, and his infatuation with her intensifies when they go for a ride; he feels "funny inside." Sheila then confesses her love to the singer, telling him that she will never leave him because true love lasts forever.

The lyrics of "Sheila" reflect the simple nature of teenage love in the '60s. The song is upbeat and catchy, with a memorable melody that is easy to hum along to. The lyrics bring out the excitement, thrill, and emotional highs that come with being in love for the first time. The song conveys an overall sense of happiness and optimism, typical of the music that was popular during the period.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweet little Sheila, you'll know her if you see her
A girl who is adorable and recognizable with her blue eyes and ponytail.

Blue eyes and a ponytail
Sheila's blue eyes and ponytail are distinguishing features that make her adorable.

Her cheeks are rosy, she looks a little nosy
Sheila's rosy cheeks make her look cute and her curious nature makes her a little nosy.

Man, this little girl is fine
The singer proclaims that Sheila is exceptionally attractive.

Never knew a girl like-a little Sheila
The singer has never met a girl like Sheila before in his life.

Her name drives me insane
The singer is madly in love with Sheila's name.

Sweet little girl, that's my little Sheila
Sheila is the singer's girl, and he thinks she is sweet.

Me and Sheila go for a ride
The singer and Sheila go for a drive together.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, I feel all funny inside
The singer experiences a physiological reaction to Sheila's company.

Then little Sheila whispers in my ear
Sheila whispers to the singer.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, I love you Sheila dear
Sheila says she loves the singer.

Sheila said she loved me, she said she'd never leave me
Sheila professed her love for the singer and promised to stay with him forever.

True love will never die
The singer believes that when true love exists, it never dies.

We're so doggone happy just bein' around together
The singer and Sheila are ecstatic just being in each other's company.

Oh, this little girl is fine
The singer reiterates his belief that Sheila is gorgeous.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Tommy Roe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

@mkl62

2y↑30

This hit from Tommy Roe went to #1 on the Top 40 charts. It also went to #1 in Australia and in Canada. It went to #3 in the United Kingdom, and to #9 in Germany. It would finish at #22 for the year, 1962. The numbers are getting smaller and the hits are getting bigger. Who will be #1? Will Bobby Lewis repeat? Or will a new act take the torch? Stay tuned.

@cabanna1

3y↑79

So lucky to have Tommy Roe still with us! Awesome oldie!

@auggie803

2y↑6

-He should be about in our age group . And it's not unusual to live to 90 if you don't smoke and quit drinking when you were in your forty's. Plus eating the right foods. Joys to us all that lived in the great 60's.

@jeremypaluck4246

2y↑1

@ABC I I like your advice!

@jchris8444

hes dead btw

@FRLN500

2y↑1

@ABC I you mean live the lifestyle of Keith Richards?

@jmccracken5036

1y↑37

Wow ! I have not heard this since '62 when I was 12years old (and a half) and now I can TURN UP the volume and seriously rock out...the fire is still there !

@paulinek9764

51w↑7

Same here. I am now 73 and remember this from1962, also the year Marilyn Monroe died. I like the backing singers here and of course the relentless drumming.

@torvilasulvstle362

47w↑4

I was 13! (And I also loved "Dizzy!")

@alisdairmclean8605

28w↑3

I am 73 going on 74. Ahh the 60s music and miniskirts.

@waynedoyle8681

24w

I was 11 in 62 listening on my little transistor radio, 60's were the absolute best 🎉

@dr_schnabel4286

32w↑21

My grandma died 2 weeks ago, that was her favorite song. We also played it at her funeral, everytime i hear that song, i can see her dancing. 😊😢

@daveyhouston

23w↑1

Sorry for your loss!!

@earl0520

1y↑18

The song of this era are some of the greatest. Tommy Roe really brings back memories.

@garymorris9571

4y↑48

Great singer, great song. He really delivers.

@jchris8444

hes dead

@Itspeanutbutterjellytime

1y↑17

One of many songs that I used to listen to growing up that inspired me to play the drums. Simple yet driving rhythm.

@cycleguy200

1y↑3

Dizzy was the first song I learned to play on the drums , I was nine years old

@paulinek9764

51w↑2

Reminiscent of Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" and just as good.

@sparky6086

40w↑2

@paulinek9764 Tommy Roe first released this song in the late 1950's without the "Buddy Holly" touches or embellishments, & it didn't take off. Several years later & a couple of years after Buddy Holly's death, Tommy Roe's producer suggested, that there were still a lot of people around who wanted the Buddy Holly sound, so he insisted, that Tommy re-release "Sheila", but change it to make it sound like Buddy Holly. Roe reluctantly did it, because he was a Buddy Holly fan & thought it might be disrespectful to the memory of Holly. The second time around, "Sheila" went to #1.

@meisiesmit3128

2y↑15

Tommy Roe thank you for your beautiful music !!! One of the best 👌

@tomhood8810

26w↑3

can't get this song out of my mind...love it!!

@ronclifford3336

4y↑20

This was actually the First non country 45 rpm record I purchased. Still have it and it even still plays great. He did a great remake of Tommy James' Crimson and Clover as well: https://youtu.be/DFAMnqGGWBQ

@sheilamckillop7166

2y↑54

My mom named me Sheila , after this song, and played it for me a lot growing up.

@hkk3656

1y↑4

@Sheila McKillop My sister's best friend was Sheila Jacobs. Hot looking 🔥 with the bluest eyes.

@sheliabutler5922

1y↑4

The same here.lol

@hkk3656

1y↑3

@Shelia Butler Really? I always enjoyed it when Sheila was around. If I wasn't so shy back then, I would have taken the chance and asked her out. 😉

@MichaelMosesHammer

1y↑3

That's cute!

@kyuubinokitsune4270

1y↑1

My name is for a french singer named Sheila too. 😊

@McSynth

5y↑25

Beautifully recorded.

@johnager1525

1y↑32

12yrs old when this was released in 1962 I'm 72yrs old now and still listening ❤

@paulinek9764

51w↑3

Me too. I was 12 in 1962 but am now 73! Still like this song though.

@wolfganggoede3348

49w↑2

... same here, so simple in many ways comparable to Beatles and Stones who followed, but so powerful, too.

@shanceder

47w↑1

Me, too!

@hansw.lehnen8804

39w↑1

Same to me ❤

@grahamashdown4134

49w↑10

What a great memory from the 60s,this song is Tommy Roe’s best by a mile,it reminds me a lot of Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly.
Great to hear it again.

@sparky6086

40w

Interestingly enough, Tommy Roe first released this song in the late 1950's without the "Buddy Holly" touches or embellishments, & it didn't take off. Several years later & a couple of years after Buddy Holly's death, Tommy Roe's producer suggested, that there were still a lot of people around who wanted the Buddy Holly sound, so he insisted, that Tommy re-release "Sheila", but change it to make it sound like Buddy Holly. Roe reluctantly did it, as he liked Buddy Holly & felt it might be disrespectful of the memory of Holly. The second time around, "Sheila" went to #1.

@user-qg5hm4rl6h

33w↑4

my song.. my dad bought the 45rpm for me as an early b'day gift way back when! <3 this song. I was only 8 back then. Thank you @tommy roe!

@tashadoran628

2y↑12

I love this song 💖💖💖

@sheilagreenfield8102

2y↑12

I love this song. It’s one of the few “Sheila” songs that I love. It’s one of the good memories I have of my biological father and I hate the song “Oh Sheila”.

@tumbleweed576

35w↑5

I was 14 years old when this song came out, and I decided one day I’d have a baby girl and name her Sheila. I did too..

@jerrycave5331

1y↑8

My favorite song as a little boy. So when I was a big boy I married Sheila. 40 years later, man this little girl is mine.

@user-dj8pw6ew9j

19w

Gracias x subir estos temas ya no se escucha en las Radios sólo en YouTube.😂❤❤

@bklyncowboy2925

35w↑2

Love this song!! True love will.never die

@sparky6086

40w↑4

Tommy Roe first released this song in the late 1950's without the "Buddy Holly" touches or embellishments, & it didn't take off. Several years later & a couple of years after Buddy Holly's death, Tommy Roe's producer suggested, that there were still a lot of people around who wanted the Buddy Holly sound, so he insisted, that Tommy re-release "Sheila", but change it to make it sound like Buddy Holly. Roe reluctantly did it, & the second time around, "Sheila" went to #1.

@roserudakevich-oq4ou

38w↑4

I saw him in Edmonton years ago singing Sheila and he was awesome

@markmarkofkane8167

2y↑14

Him and Bobby Fuller. Among my many favorites!

@bridiemcgarrigle4600

3y↑18

Played this song to my mum as she was passing away on 17.6.21 she loved it

@toms1197

3y↑6

Great song but sorry for your loss

@jchris8444

learn to spell

@dannywallace4905

3y↑22

Loved Tommy Roe growing up....damn he was good

@sheilasimms2406

18w↑1

My mum played this to me when I was young my name is Sheila and I do gave blue eyes and a ponty tail lol I still love this song

@johneggebrecht923

32w↑4

I married my own Sheila 34 years ago ❤Love this song ❤

@wombat2775

3y↑8

Catchy tune! 💓🎸🎸

@davidmarshall5596

2y↑7

Terrific song 🎵

@simonmarshall19

4y↑154

I feel like Buddy Holly’s Spirit is in him

@albertomarruffo6279

2y↑4

No just buddy Hollys zombie D is in Tommy Roe

@jamesharsey1524

2y↑4

He does add those features like buddy holly

@sheilagreenfield8102

1y↑2

He came before Buddy Holly.

@danieljohnson2005

1y↑7

@Sheila Greenfield What? You know that’s not true, right?

@kathypike494

1y↑2

Handsome man with a cheeky smile.

25 More Replies...

@martinreynolds6027

4y↑8

Fantastic version. Thanks.

@freddell7358

1y↑1

This is the original, not a version

@henkoosterink8744

28w↑2

The so called Lubbock style (Buddy Holly & the Crickets). Great song, well done.

@kathlinetaylor8526

31w↑3

Love this song by Tommy Rowe my favourite song

@paulinek9764

51w↑2

I like the backing singers, as well as the rest of the song.

@darrylodare6168

19w↑1

I too was 12 in ‘62. Loved Tommy Rowe then a still do. Danced for hours to these old songs. 🤣

@wesleycook7687

43w

Jerry Allison played the drums on the mono studio version. Tommy's first album also included Hey, Look At Me, a Buddy Holly cover. I didn't care for the studio later re-doing Sheila and burying the guitar and drums under a bunch of overdubs. The original mono album is best. I play it a lot and taped it on a cassette to play in my car. ( Jerry also played on the stereo version) .I know he's lipsyching here but he's very good

@tonybaeza6189

2y↑4

I saw him at the Granada in Kingston UK somewhere around 1962, love this song.

@bertdirkx4242

49w↑2

I was twelve at that time. And I remember that my father also loved this song. 2:02

@dannywallace4905

2y↑5

1st. Album I bought....Played it over and over again

@philliphelbig579

1y↑2

I remember hearing this back in 1974, but it was old then. Have you ever seen Tommy Roe and Benny Hill at the same time? 🙂

@chriskelly1433

50w

And he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.

@shielalongoria-bocanegra5447

46w↑6

My mother named me after this Song ❤, now I'm 53 😊

@LRNunez75

45w

👏👏 Very sweet of your mom! Love the name and this song!! ❤

@sheilamlindsey8930

44w

Love Tommy Roe ❤

@Happy-fh3yd

3y↑6

I love this song

@rogerbyroncollins7204

1y↑2

As an 17 year old student at College at Walthamstow London, I had tickets to see Tommy Roe, Chris Montez and the Beatles on 9 March 1963 at the Granada East Ham. My girlfriend and I attended a great concert which stayed in my heart being a great fan of all three, ln December1988 flying on Concorde from London to Barbados my Norwegian wife and l sat by Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach, who, like ourselves were going to Mustique. We were to stay with our friend Basil Charles the owner of Basils Bar Mustique as on 7 January 1989 we had exclusively booked a celebration of my wife's 40th birthday party attended Ringo, Barbara and Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. Mick and l shared an architect who designed both our villas

@jonathanschwanz6844

2y↑16

Buddy Holly’s Peggy Sue feel. I remember this from my wonder years.

@user-gg2xt3rh9p

21w↑1

Great song.

@stupendous1068

2y↑6

Happy 80th birthday Tommy Roe!!!

@jennychettle1119

2y↑3

Thank you so much! I love it!

@belvinsweatt1274

1y↑3

My favorite song in 1962.

@stephenlove5343

26w

Sheila was our dog’s name! She loved this song whenever it played.

@jamesmcelhoney2057

1y↑1

Status Quo did a cover of this. Which is how I first heard it. Love this song

@khaladsaad.al-mowallad6532

1y↑1

Bravo🎸🎶🥁🎷❤️

@ronaldderonde

5y↑11

Timeless.

@48firefox

4y↑1

Yes quite agree they don't make them like this anymore

@stellakowalski7914

36w↑2

I can’t help thinking of Buddy Holly’s PEGGY SUE when I hear this.
I was 10 yrs old in 1962

@FriendofDorothy

2y↑1

This is what my heterosexual younger brother was listening to when I, an adolescent queenlet and 45 RPM junkie, was listening to The Ronettes, The Supremes, and The Shangri-Las. I did actually like this one but wasn't quite as into "Sweet Pea" or "Everybody". This record sounded great on a car radio, had the same magic as "Runaway" by Del Shannonr or Brian Hyland's "Sealed With a Kiss".

@barneyronnie

Great story, Steve. I'm hoping that this was just a phase that you went through and that you emerged as a confident man. If not, I hope that your life proved to be easier than the lives of two of my homosexual friends. The early 60s society wasn't very inclusive to those who veered from the accepted norms. Fortunately, many folks have moved beyond hatred and bigotry. Peace!

@ellenball4193

2y↑3

Been forever since I’ve heard this song

@markherron1407

50w↑3

Happy Birthday to Tommy Roe Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

@philipjones7372

1y↑2

Whichever you cut the dice, he's got a Buddy Holly and the Crickets influence...👍🏼😊

@sheilaarizona3197

2y↑5

Love this song...i was named after this song except my eyes are brown lol

@robjohnson153

3y↑14

I know that's not the Crickets backing him, but WOW!

@sandsoftime1954

Maybe Preston Epps on Bongos. Ah, could be Doc ,could be !

@jorgelopez-pr6dr

I read somewhere that the backup band were the Crickets themselves.

@barryfix

3y↑3

So many years ago - he was a pioneer

@sandsoftime1954

3y↑2

Actually, Buddy Holly was a pioneer

@aldo9887

3y↑2

Salve, : È talmente coinvolgente questo Brano cantato, che potrebbe far danzare anche Coloro che non lo sanno fare.- Infatti il Ritmo è travolgente a dimostrazione che esso è uno dei fattori principe nella Musica, ed in questo Brano esso è giunto ai suoi limiti di espressione.- ( Aldo da Verona ).- Un particolare Grazie all’Autore.-

@Robert-jh8yo

Those were the days.

@hobertlee7598

41w

Very Good Music,,,,Really Really Good Memories

@susanwendland6917

15w

Love Tommy Roe and his song's he sure is good looking

@pmasmuth

Handsome guy with a guitar. <3

@user-cz5gk3ko6o

33w↑1

LUV Tommy Roes song dizzy. I watch his video on you tube every night before I go to bed. in 1969 I was 21 years old. Dizzy is my favourite songs he recorded.

@amandashare1281

34w

I was 7 when this was released, the song I know Tommy for was Dizzy xx

@teepeewabbit

3y↑3

This song made me love my name!

@paulwatchorn2545

4y↑18

My daughters name is Shana. When she was little I would sing this song to her and change Sheila to Shana. She hated it. LOL

@KevinHallSurfing

The original doo wop ABC - Paramount single from '62. Brilliant.

@gregoryclemen1870

1y↑1

this tune reminds me of a "TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY"!!!!!

@debbierazavi5353

4y↑2

😀❤️👏🎸

@lenniecapuano521

2y↑1

i bought this i still have it

@maryjohnson9656

4y↑8

Named my daughter after this song.

@hrebec97

3y↑3

That is from a Midnight Special from the 1970s. Bet it is from the time “American Graffiti” came out.

@williamdevos4855

4y↑3

Top song.

@williammitchell9974

50w↑1

Excellent 🙏👍🥲👍❤️

@sheilawillis490

41w

My name is Sheila but I was born in 1959...💜😊💚

@sheilaross1884

3y↑7

So habe ich meinen Namen bekommen, Lieblingslied von meinem Daddy :)

@dennycrane9348

3y↑5

LIKE WATCHING BUDDY HOLLY..LOVE TO SEE TOMMY ROE SING PEGGY SUE...FAN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS.

@dariowestern

2y↑4

In Australia, a “Sheila” is slang for a woman.

@MOSS_-wu6hw

3y↑3

I only new about the Ready for the World version of Shelia. Never heard the Tommy Roe-Shelia song until today

@bobsherry7673

3y↑1

This version is better.

@brucekugler5164

3y↑5

Buddy is rolling over in his grave

@rejeantremblay4635

4y↑1

GREAT , ENJOY

@outofthecoldintothefire9082

2y↑3

Serious Buddy Holly vibes here.

@jorgelopez-pr6dr

1y↑1

Buddy would have loved this song.

@leecromwell502

2y↑2

Reminds me of Bobby Vee same time period!

@shoknifeman2mikado135

He , Bobby Fuller and Bobby Vee were all heavily influenced by Buddy... Bobby Vee actually finished Buddy's last tour, as a last minute replacement, singing Buddy's songs.

@sheilaredido3056

4y↑3

Sheila ❤️❤️❤️

@jurgeneb1743

👍👍👍👍

@user-dj3jp8kj8s

15w

Yes this song reminded me of Buddy Holley

@googalacticgoo

22w↑4

This is so Buddy Holly

@alfredbernasek861

33w↑2

EIN KLASSIKER

@samanthasordyl2879

1y↑1

its good

@burgerderbrd5014

38w

👍

@tonyrath9158

2y↑3

Gosh there's a lot of Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue - in that song (or vice versa)

@ADAMSIXTIES

2y↑1

Recording from 1962; this "performance probably circa '69.

@aileenlightbody91

2y↑2

If I hadn't known otherwise I'd have said this was a recording of Buddy Holly. Great song though.

@shoknifeman2mikado135

He idolised Buddy

@dennycrane9348

3y↑2

ROCK AND ROLL DONE THE AMERICAN WAY...NOT LIKE TODAY WHERE JAPANESE EXCUATIVES DECIDE OUR MUSIC FORMAT ASSEMBLY LINE MUSIC.

@user-cg6ei8rs9c

27w↑1

As for me and chose a Drug Free life 😊

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