Donald Randolph was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. His father a Baptist preacher died when Don was eight. Covay resettled in Washington D.C. during the early 1950s and initially sang in the Cherry Keys, his family's gospel quartet. He crossed over to secular music with the Rainbows, a formative group which also included Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart. Covay's solo career began in 1957 as part of the Little Richard Revue.
A single "Bip Bop Bip" was released on Atlantic and produced by Little Richard, on which Covay was billed as "Pretty Boy". It also featured his backing band the Upsetters. Over the next few years Covay drifted from label to label, but a further dance-oriented track called "Popeye Waddle" was a hit in 1962. He also wrote and recorded "Pony Time" which later became a US #1 single for Chubby Checker. Covay meanwhile honed his songwriting skills by penning a hit for Solomon Burke, "I'm Hanging Up My Heart for You", while Gladys Knight & The Pips reached the US Top 20 with "Letter Full of Tears".
Covay's singing career continued to falter until 1964, when he signed to the Rosemart label. His debut single there with the Goodtimers, "Mercy Mercy" (accompanied by a young Jimi Hendrix on guitar), established his earthy bluesy style. Atlantic bought his contract, but, while several R&B hits followed, it was a year before Covay returned to the pop chart. "See Saw", co-written with Steve Cropper and recorded at Stax, paved the way for more hits.
Don Covay's songs still remain successful: Aretha Franklin won a Grammy for her performance of his composition "Chain of Fools". He is a legendary composer and singer, best known for his R&B classic compositions "Mercy Mercy", "Chain of Fools", "See Saw" and "Sookie Sookie". Covay had success as a singer as Don Covay and The Goodtimers, and his compositions have been recorded by such varied artists as Steppenwolf, Bobby Womack, The Rolling Stones, Wilson Pickett, The Small Faces, Grant Green, Peter Wolf and many more.
Don Covay had a stroke in 1992, and the following year Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones appeared, with Iggy Pop, Todd Rundgren and others on a Covay tribute album Back to the Streets: Celebrating the Music of Don Covay. The same year he was presented by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation with one of its Pioneer Awards.
He released an album Adlib in 2000 on the Cannonball label, his first album in 23 years. Collaborating musicians included Paul Rodgers, Wilson Pickett, Lee Konitz, Otis Clay, Kim Simmonds, Ann Peebles, Syl Johnson, Paul Shaffer, Huey Lewis, and Dan Penn. The cover art was by Ronnie Wood.
Covay died on January 30, 2015 at the age of 76.
The Popeye Waddle
Don Covay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm trying that now
(Can you do the Popeye)
Well, show me how
(Can you do the Popeye)
You'll do fine if you get in line
(Popeye) hey, watch me do it
(Popeye, let's do the Popeye all night)
(Can you do the Waddle)
I'm trying that now
(Can you do the Waddle)
Well, show me how, yeah
(Can you do the Waddle)
I can get it, I can get it
You'll do fine if you get in line
(Waddle) oh, watch me try
(Popeye) it's not the?porcupine?
(Popeye, I like the waddle, all right)
Popeye, hey, it's like the waddle
Was the name of the game
Waddle, hey, it's like the Popeye
Every dance is the same
You hit it, get it
Make it, shake it
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
Was the name of the game
(Can you do the wiggle)
I'm a swinging cat
(Can you do the waddle)
I like it like that
(Can you wiggle waddle)
I can make it if you shake it
You'll do fine if you get in line
(Come on and wiggle)
Hey, it's like the waddle
(Waddle) hey, it's like wobble
(Let's do the dances all night)
Popeye, hey, it's like the waddle
Was the name of the game
Waddle, hey, it's like the Popeye
Every dance is the same
You hit it, get it
Make it, shake it
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
Was the name of the game
All together, do the
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
Was the name of the game
One more time now
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
I love em just the same
The song "The Popeye Waddle" by Don Covay is a dance song that encourages listeners to do the famous "Popeye" and "Waddle" dances. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, engaging listeners to learn and execute the new dance steps. The song is full of energy and enthusiasm, with the repetition of the dance steps driving the song forward. The lyrics suggest that the two dances are related, with the phrase "Popeye, it's like the waddle, was the name of the game," indicating that the Popeye and Waddle dances are similar. The song aims to bring everyone together on the dancefloor and create a fun and lively atmosphere.
The song has a catchy melody and simple lyrics that encourage listeners to dance. It's a feel-good song that is easy to sing along and dance to. The repetitive verse and chorus make it easy for listeners to catch on and join in with the dance moves. The song contains a fun play on words, with the phrase "Waddle with the Wobble" referring to both the Waddle dance and the physical act of walking unsteadily. Overall, the song is a classic dance anthem that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm trying that now
The singer is attempting to dance the Popeye and/or the Waddle
Well, show me how
The singer is requesting guidance on how to dance
You'll do fine if you get in line
The singer is reassuring someone that they will be successful if they follow instructions
(Popeye) hey, watch me do it
Popeye is showing off his dance moves
(Popeye) there's nothing to it
Popeye believes that the dance is easy to learn
(Popeye, let's do the Popeye all night)
Popeye suggests that they continue dancing the Popeye throughout the night
I can get it, I can get it
The singer is confident that they can learn the dance
(Waddle) oh, watch me try
The artist is attempting to dance the Waddle
(Popeye) it's not the?porcupine?
Unclear- the words are not understandable. Possible meanings could be that Popeye thinks the Waddle is different than the Porcupine dance or that he is correcting someone's misunderstanding of the dance.
(Popeye, I like the waddle, all right)
Popeye expresses his enjoyment of the Waddle dance
Popeye, hey, it's like the waddle
Was the name of the game
Waddle, hey, it's like the Popeye
Every dance is the same
The singer is noticing similarities between the two dances, and how most dances follow a similar pattern
You hit it, get it
Make it, shake it
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
Was the name of the game
These are instructions on how to dance: start moving, get into the groove, and dance the Popeye or the Waddle
(Can you do the wiggle)
I'm a swinging cat
(Can you do the waddle)
I like it like that
(Can you wiggle waddle)
The singer is open to learning more dances and trying them out
(Come on and wiggle)
Hey, it's like the waddle
(Waddle) hey, it's like wobble
(Let's do the dances all night)
The singer suggests they keep dancing and trying new moves
One more time now
Popeye, waddle with the wobble
I love em just the same
The singer is showing appreciation for both dances
Contributed by Aubrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GL AnnapolisTeam
Such a cool song. An Washington, DC Oldies Station used to play this in the mid-70s!!
Chris Boudreaux
From December, 1962! This brings back some memories, wow!. I still love it to this day. Thanks for posting.
Chris McCurdy
This is nice song from Don Covay that has nice beat to dance to. This song is nice timeless classic to listen to.
Jan and Bruce / Adams Van Adventures
Released December 29, 1962 and went to #75.
fonrims32
Contours do you love me crib