History
The band was formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1965 named simply "The Heywoods", not after anyone in the band or connected with it, but from the last name of a songwriter on a Rolling Stones album because they liked the sound of the name.
They were first discovered while touring with The Osmonds in the early 1970s and signed with Family Productions, releasing their first song in 1972, "Special Someone", but their big break came after moving to ABC Records and working with star producer Steve Barri in 1973. Beginning in 1974, the band released the songs "Billy Don't Be A Hero", "Who Do You Think You Are", "The Heartbreak Kid" and "Our Last Song Together".
Endgame
In 1975, they began migration to a 3rd, 4th and 5th label as the hits dried up by the end of the decade. By 1978, they were known as "The Bo Donaldson Band" and eventually split after trying Country music with no success in the 1980s. They reformed again in 1996 as a nostalgia act and still make appearances, most notably in the Barry Williams-hosted nostalgia show Original Idols Live.
Members
Robert Walter "Bo" Donaldson - Keyboards
Mike Gibbons - Lead Vocals & Trumpet
David Krock - Bass & background vocals
Rick Joswick - Lead singer and tambourine
Gary Coveyou - Saxophone, flute & Background Vocals
Baker Scott- Lead Guitarist
Richard Brunetti - Drums
Hooked on a Feeling
Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
I can't stop this feeling (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
Deep inside of me (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
Girl, you just don't realize (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
When you hold me (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
In your arms so tight (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
You let me know (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
Everything's all right (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
Lips as sweet as candy
Its taste is on my mind
Girl, you got me thirsty
For another cup of wine
Got a bug from you, girl
But I don't need no cure
I just stay a victim
If I can for sure
All the good love when we're all alone
Keep it up, girl
Yeah, you turn me on
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
All the good love (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
When we're all alone (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
Keep it up, girl (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
Yeah, you turn me on (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
I'm hooked on a feeling
I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
I said I'm hooked on a feeling
And I'm high on believing
That you're in love with me
The song Hooked on a Feeling by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods is an upbeat and catchy track that captures the essence of being head over heels in love. The repetitive use of the phrase "ooga-chaka ooga-ooga" adds to the playful and upbeat nature of the song. The lyrics speak about the intensity of love and the feeling of being addicted to someone. The singer cannot stop the feeling deep inside him because of the woman he loves. He feels that she doesn't understand the impact she has on him. When she holds him, he feels that everything is all right. These feelings have made him hooked on a feeling and high on believing that she loves him too.
The singer compares the woman's lips to candy, and the taste is on his mind. He feels thirsty for another cup of wine, metaphorically representing his longing for her. The woman has given him a bug, and he doesn't need a cure; he wants to stay in love with her for sure. When they are all alone, their love is intense, and he feels turned on by her. The song ends on a high note, with the singer affirming that he is hooked on a feeling and high on believing that the woman he loves loves him back.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooga-chaka ooga-ooga
The singer makes indescribable sounds to describe the intense emotion he is experiencing
I can't stop this feeling (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The singer is overwhelmed with emotion and cannot control it
Deep inside of me (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The singer's feelings are deep and strong
Girl, you just don't realize (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The girl does not understand the effect she has on the singer
What you do to me (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The girl causes intense emotions in the singer
When you hold me (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
When the girl embraces the singer
In your arms so tight (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
When the girl holds the singer tightly
You let me know (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The girl's actions communicate to the singer
Everything's all right (ooga-chaka ooga-ooga)
The singer feels at peace and content when the girl is with him
I'm hooked on a feeling
The singer is addicted to the emotion the girl brings him
I'm high on believing
The happiness he feels is intoxicating
That you're in love with me
The singer believes the girl reciprocates his feelings
Lips as sweet as candy
The girl's lips are sweet and tempting
Its taste is on my mind
The singer cannot stop thinking about kissing the girl
Girl, you got me thirsty
The singer is yearning for the girl's affection
For another cup of wine
The singer wants more of the happiness the girl brings
Got a bug from you, girl
The singer caught a love bug from the girl
But I don't need no cure
The singer does not want to be cured of his love for the girl
I just stay a victim
The singer is helpless in his love for the girl
If I can for sure
The singer wants to continue feeling this way
All the good love when we're all alone
The singer and the girl have an intense connection when they are alone
Keep it up, girl
The singer wants the girl to continue their connection
And you turn me on
The girl excites and arouses the singer
I said I'm hooked on a feeling
The singer reiterates that he is addicted to his emotions
And I'm high on believing
The singer's belief in the girl's love is overwhelming
That you're in love with me
The singer still believes the girl feels the same way about him
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Mark James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PrincessSolitaire
This is not the Heywoods. It's Blue Swede fronted by Björn Skifs; the single was released in 1974.
@Music4allofUClassics
I am sure Bo Donaldson never did this track. This is Blue Swede!
@sunsetblvd.records8089
Blue Swede did it, this is Bo's version.
@bennatopennella4218
This ain't no Donaldson
@kevinkennedy9343
If this is not Bo Donaldson and the Haywood's. The author needs to correct this
@laurabee1512
@Sunset Blvd. Records No it isn't, sorry. This is Blue Swede.
@DodgerFan1988
Just heard both versions now on YouTube. Yes, there are slight differences.
@classie60
This is NOT Bo Donaldson. 100 per cent Blue Swede. Just type it into YOUTUBE and you will see a live clip of them singing it that will remove any doubt of who it is.
@gtmtnbikr
OMG some Keyboard Dick Clark doesn't know who Blue "sweed" is. I just looked up how to pronounce it, too. This would make a good "Audience Participation" piece at Karaoke night somewhere. This does NOT make Billy look like a hero! 😭 And THIS Keyboard Wolfman Jack just found out that Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods also covered this tune.
@Oldiesmann
Apparently Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods did to this - on a 2010 album called "'70s Classic Hits". Obviously they were trying to sound like Blue Swede here.