The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Happy Hooker
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up walked this woman that looked good all over
I had on my city duds my one and only suit
This fox picked me out and told me I was cute
I said you're cute too without further adieu
She said for fifty dollars I'll make love to you
I knew I'd have to buy more than the juice
Then she grabbed me and turned me every way but loose
She was a real fine looker, fifty dollar hooker
All night cooker, a happy hooker
With two hands that could understand, the needs of a lonely man
I don't usually like to buy it but didn't slow down to pay
The way she was built money couldn't stand in the way
we went to her place, cause we saw it first
Was no amount of money could measure what she was worth
She was a real fine looker, fifty dollar hooker
All night cooker, a happy hooker
With two hands that could understand, the needs of a lonely man
Uh huh alright
Uh huh alright
Uh huh alright
Uh huh all night
All I got to tell you she cured a lonely man
though she didn't know me, she could understand
the best way I know for this story to end
for me to recommend her to all of my friends
She was a real fine looker, fifty dollar hooker
All night cooker, a happy hooker
With two hands that could understand, the needs of a lonely man
The lyrics in Black Oak Arkansas’s “Happy Hooker” tell the story of a man who meets a woman on the street corner and pays her fifty dollars for sex. Despite the transactional nature of their relationship, the encounter offers a sense of connection and understanding, with the woman’s two hands “that could understand the needs of a lonely man.” The lyrics depict the woman as not just a sexual object, but as someone who is able to offer emotional comfort as well.
The singer’s hesitation in paying for sex is depicted in lines such as “I don’t usually like to buy it but didn’t slow down to pay,” but the encounter is ultimately depicted as a positive one. The repetition of the phrase “all night cooker, a happy hooker” creates a sense of fun and pleasure, further emphasizing the positive experience.
The song has been interpreted as both a celebration and critique of the sex industry, and raises questions about the complexities of consent and the commodification of sex. Overall, “Happy Hooker” offers a unique perspective on the themes of love, loneliness, and desire.
Line by Line Meaning
This poor child was standin' on a corner when
The singer saw a person in a helpless situation standing on the corner
Up walked this woman that looked good all over
A very attractive lady approached the singer
I had on my city duds my one and only suit
The singer was wearing his best suit
This fox picked me out and told me I was cute
The woman complimented the artist's looks
I said you're cute too without further adieu
The artist returned the compliment
She said for fifty dollars I'll make love to you
The woman offered to have sexual intercourse with the singer for $50
I knew I'd have to buy more than the juice
The singer understood that he needed to pay for sexual services
Then she grabbed me and turned me every way but loose
The woman physically embraced the artist in multiple ways
She was a real fine looker, fifty dollar hooker
The woman was very attractive and offered sex services for $50
All night cooker, a happy hooker
She was willing to have sex all night and was content with her job
With two hands that could understand, the needs of a lonely man
She was skilled in her job and knew how to satisfy men
I don't usually like to buy it but didn't slow down to pay
The artist normally doesn't pay for sex, but quickly agreed to pay this woman
The way she was built money couldn't stand in the way
The woman's physical appearance was so attractive that the singer was willing to pay any amount
we went to her place, cause we saw it first
The singer went to the woman's home because they saw it first
Was no amount of money could measure what she was worth
The singer believed that the woman was priceless and no amount of money could match her worth
All I got to tell you she cured a lonely man
The encounter with the woman solved the artist's loneliness problem
though she didn't know me, she could understand
Although the woman did not know the artist personally, she was skilled in understanding his needs
the best way I know for this story to end
The singer believes that this is the best way to end the story
for me to recommend her to all of my friends
The singer would recommend the woman's services to his friends
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BLACK OAK ARKANSAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ayana Anon
First concert I ever went to> '73 10 years old and I had no clue what was gonna happen when jim dandy hit the stage-- needless to say, I'm a lifelong fan!
Don Kuntz
Ayana Anon 59 years
Kathy Raymelle S.
Ayana Anon cool. Join me, a fan too. I was 14, first band I ever loved.
noid
its been years since i heard a real love song like this.
Gaslight Garage
I'm 36 and BOA is some of my earliest memories of rock. I remember being 4 or 5 and my daddy playing this on an 8 track and album. I got into to rock at a VERY early age.
Bethelbandit
Might want to change 8 track to cassette. Timeline doesn't add up.
Gaslight Garage
My youngest childhood memories of music was my dad playing this on an 8 track and a record.
Lyly Jones
Right..
lukemanify
@velvetboots Ain't life grand is such a sweet album I just got the vinyl from Amazon. And my vinyl player does not work
velvetboots
LOL, I use to listen to the whole album with one of my brothers. Had to special order the cd when I got older. This was my favorite song on the whole album. Love the music. Jackyl kind of reminds me of BOA.