They are often considered as one of the many punk rock bands that sprang from that city in the mid-Seventies, but in fact saw themselves as more influenced by groups like The Who and The Kinks, and other pub rock acts such as Dr Feelgood or Graham Parker & the Rumour. Their brand of energetic R&B was over-trumped massively by the punk explosion, and they withered away. The repertoire consisted of Chicago Blues or Soul covers, plus tunes in a similar vein written by the band's guitarist Dave Higgs.
Before rising to semi-stardom in 1977, the Hot Rods underwent several changes in personnel: One of the first members to leave the band was Eddie himself, a dummy that featured prominently in the Hot Rods' early gigs and was discarded as the joke had worn thin. Otherwise, the band consisted of Barrie Masters on vocals, Pete Wall and Dave Higgs on guitar, Rob Steel on bass and Steve Nicol on drums. Ed Hollis, brother of Talk Talk's Mark Hollis became their manager, and the band were signed to Island Records.
By 1976, Lew Lewis (harmonica) and Paul Gray had replaced Wall and Steel. Lewis's tenure in the group lasted for the release of their first two singles before he too left. With this new line-up, the Hot Rods played a set at London's famous Marquee club - their opening act was a young band named Sex Pistols. They first appeared in the UK singles chart the end of that year with the "Live at the Marquee" EP and the single "Teenage Depression", an energetic rock'n'roll song.
After the release of the Teenage Depression LP, which gave them their first appearance in the UK albums chart, they recorded another EP called "Live - At the Sound Of Speed". During the gig from which this EP was recorded, Graeme Douglas (formerly of the Kursaal Flyers) joined the band onstage and jammed along adding extra lead lines. Afterwards his membership of the band was made permanent, and they set about writing and recording for their second album. The live recording of the "Sound of Speed" EP featured Douglas on only one track, he therefore set about recording additional lead guitar overdubs in the studio, though to keep in with the essence of a live release, he was only given one attempt at recording each song.
With the addition of Douglas, the band was moved in a more radio-friendly direction. Their biggest hit came with the Douglas/Hollis collaboration "Do Anything You Wanna Do" in the summer of 1977, under their shorter, snappier name 'The Rods'. This single made the British Top 10 (number 9 in August 1977) and also proved popular with the then predominant punk audience, as did that year's album Life on the Line. Still in 1977, the Hot Rods toured the Americas. When it came to recording a follow-up album, Thriller, the band tried hard to recapture the success of "Do Anything You Wanna Do", but to no avail. They found themselves sacked by their record company in 1979, and after Fish'n'Chips, another misguided effort for EMI, the Hot Rods disbanded in 1981.
At this point, Gray and Douglas had already left the band, the former joining The Damned. Masters teamed up with The Inmates. Ed Hollis went on to work with some of the best known acts of the punk era including The Damned, Elvis Costello, and Stiff Little Fingers.
In 1985 the band reform with Masters and Nichol joined by Warren Kennedy (guitar) and Russ Strutter (bass)and release a single and live mini-album, but after a couple of years this version of the band fizzles out.
In early 1991 the 'classic' line-up (Masters, Nichol, Higgs, Douglas, and Gray) regrouped to play some live dates, by the mid 90s Masters, Gray and Nichol are joined by Manfred Mann guitarist Mick Rodgers to record the album Gasoline Days; plus in 2005 a Masters-led outfit recorded Better Late than Never in preparation for a 30th anniversary tour. The band is currently enjoying renewed popularity throughout Europe with regular tour dates, and is also performing in the U.S. after a 25 year sabbatical.
Wooly Bully
Eddie & The Hot Rods Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanna do a dance like a...
Mattie told Hattie
About a thing she saw
She knew it because
Of it′s woolly jaw
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Mattie told Hattie
Let's don′t take no chance
Don't wanna be a servant
You gotta learn to dance
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Mattie told Hattie
It's the thing to do
Come on and get yourself ready
Do the wool with you
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Mattie told Hattie
Let′s don′t take no chance
Don't wanna be a servant
You gotta learn to dance
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully
Woolly bully.
The song "Wooly Bully" by Eddie & The Hot Rods features simple, repetitive lyrics that encourage listeners to dance along. The song tells the story of Mattie telling Hattie about a strange creature with a woolly jaw. The chorus then repeatedly urges listeners to do the "wooly bully" dance. Mattie and Hattie are then told not to take any chances but to learn to dance and have fun doing the wooly bully.
The lyrics of "Wooly Bully" may seem nonsensical, but they actually reflect a common theme in rock and roll music: the encouragement to let loose and dance, regardless of social status or inhibitions. The song's simple, upbeat message resonated with audiences when it was first released and continues to be enjoyed by fans of rock and roll today.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, no
Exclamation expressing surprise or concern
Wanna do a dance like a...
Expressing a desire to dance in a certain style or manner
Mattie told Hattie
One person informing another of something
About a thing she saw
Sharing information related to an observed event or object
She knew it because
Explaining the reason for having knowledge or awareness of something
Of it′s woolly jaw
Referring to a distinguishing physical feature of the observed object or event
Woolly bully
Repeating a phrase that is often used to encourage dancing or celebrating
Mattie told Hattie
Repeating the informant and recipient of information
Let's don′t take no chance
Suggesting caution in approaching a situation or making a decision
Don't wanna be a servant
Expressing a desire to have freedom and independence
You gotta learn to dance
Emphasizing the importance of knowing how to dance
Mattie told Hattie
Continuing the conversation between the two characters
It's the thing to do
Asserting that dancing is a popular and enjoyable activity
Come on and get yourself ready
Encouraging someone to prepare themselves for participating in an activity
Do the wool with you
Referring to a dance style called 'wooly' and inviting someone to dance together
Woolly bully
Repeating the phrase used to encourage dancing or celebrating
Mattie told Hattie
Ending the conversation between the two characters
Let′s don′t take no chance
Repeating a cautionary suggestion
Don't wanna be a servant
Repeating the desire for freedom and independence
You gotta learn to dance
Repeating the importance of having knowledge of dance
Woolly bully
Repeating the phrase often used to encourage dancing or celebrating
Writer(s): Domingo Samudio
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@l.salisbury1253
RIP Barrie Masters (1956-2019)...
@ABandApart01
Favorite cover of this song for sure!
@rumeos3133
Nothing like Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs in the 60's this version is far too quick!
@antoniodias4718
I like it!!Good cover