Schooled in jazz, he was known for his blues, soul and funk recordings, compositions, productions and arrangements. He debuted on Ace Records in 1955 and released more single records than anyone else in New Orleans other than Fats Domino.
Eddie Bo came from a long line of ship builders with the male members of his family being bricklayers, carpenters and masons by day and musicians by night. Eddie's mother was a self-taught pianist in the style of friend, Professor Longhair. The Bocage family was involved in the traditional jazz community with cousins Charles, Henry and Peter, who played with Sidney Bechet, contributing to jazz orchestras before World War II.
Eddie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School before going into the army. After his army stint, he returned to New Orleans to study at the Grundwald School of music. There he learned piano, music theory and to sight read, and arrange music. It was at this time that he was influenced by Russian classical pianist Vladimir Horowitz and was introduced to bebop pianists Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson.
Like a lot of other local musicians Eddie frequented the premier blues venue in town, the Dew Drop Inn on LaSalle Street. Eddie began playing in the New Orleans jazz scene and went under the name of Spider Bocage, later forming the Spider Bocage Orchestra. He made a switch to R&B after deciding it was more popular and brought in more money. In the 1950s he and a group of New Orleans musicians toured the country supporting singers Big Joe Turner, Earl King, Guitar Slim, Johnny Adams, Lloyd Price, Ruth Brown, Smiley Lewis, and The Platters.
His first released record was in 1955 for Johnny Vincent's Ace Records. His next release, in 1956 on Apollo Records, was "I'm Wise" which Little Richard later recorded as "Slippin' and Slidin". In 1961, Eddie had a hit with the novelty dance song "Check Mr Popeye" (Swan Records, originally released on Ric Records). Eddie also wrote "My Dearest Darling" for Etta James which put her at the top of the R&B charts and "In The Same Old Way" for Tommy Ridgley.
In the late 1960s he recorded the renowned "Pass The Hatchet" under the nom de disque, Roger and the Gypsies for Joe Banashak's Seven B label as well as "Fence of Love" and "SGB" (Stone Graveyard Business) under his own name. He either wrote or produced most of the titles on Seven B records.
In 1969, at the height of funk, he penned and sang "Hook and Sling" (Scram Records) which reached No. 13 on the R&B charts in that year. It was his biggest hit since "Check Mr Popeye" and was recorded in just one take. The next year saw another hit with "Check Your Bucket" on his own Bo-Sound imprint.
He produced and arranged records by such artists as Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Art Neville, Chris Kenner, Chuck Carbo, Irma Thomas, Johnny Adams, Mary Jane Hooper, Robert Parker, and The Explosions. (The Vibrettes 'Humpty Dump' on Lujon is commonly incorrectly attributed to Eddie Bo, due to the similarity of the drumming style with James Black).
Eddie Bo worked and recorded for more than 40 different record labels, including Ace, Apollo, Arrow, At Last, Blue-Jay, Bo-Sound, Checker, Chess, Cinderella, Nola, Ric (for which his carpentry skills were used to build them a studio), Scram, Seven B, and Swan.
In the 1970s Eddie, absorbed in the renovation business, disappeared from the music scene only to rise up again at the end of the decade with two albums, "The Other Side of Eddie Bo" and "Watch for the Coming," which he produced himself. In the 1980s and 1990s he recorded with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and resurrected his Bo-Sound label. He joined Willy DeVille to play on two DeVille records, Victory Mixture and Big Easy Fantasy, and he toured with DeVille as well. He later joined up with Raful Neal and Rockin' Tabby Thomas playing and recording under the names The Louisiana Legends, The District Court and The Hoodoo Kings.
He bought a doctor's office and salon on Banks Street which he and his manager converted into an eatery for Bo's fans called "Check Your Bucket" after his 1970 hit. Like Bo's home and recording studio it was hit by Hurricane Katrina while Bo was on tour in Paris. Due to Bo's carpentry and bricklaying skills he took on the task of completing the hurricane damage repairs himself.
Eddie Bo died on March 18, 2009 of a heart attack.
Eddie Bo is survived by two sisters, Gloria Bocage-Sterling who lives in Oakland, California. Lisa Bocage-Howard and two brothers,Oliver and Cornelius eight children: Valeri Ann Bocage, CEO & Founder of Powerful Women International in San Francisco, California, Edwin Joseph Bocage, Jr., Owen David Bocage, Nancy Marie Bocage-Siegel, Cheryl Bocage-Joseph, Tanya Bocage-Sales, Sonjia Bocage-Anderson, Tomekia Bocage-Jones. He is also survived by a cousin Frank Owen Bocage Jr. and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
May 22, 1997 was declared "Eddie Bo Day" in New Orleans by mayor Marc Morial while Bo was playing in Karachi, Pakistan. Bo was also named New Orleans' music ambassador to Pakistan.
His song "Hook & Sling" was featured on the breakbeat compilation Ultimate Breaks and Beats.
He won many music awards including two Lifetime Achievement awards from the South Louisiana Music Association and Music/Offbeat Best of the Beat.
Hook And Sling )
Eddie Bo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Move it, groove it
Just keep on hooking
And keep on slinging
Hook it, sling it, woowee
Ooh, but I got a groove
Lemme see if I can get out there
And do that thing with you
Want me to try it
Yeah, let me get it
Woo, I like this thing
Woo, but I got a groove, ha
Woowee, did I do it right, y′all
Let me gave it one more time
I think I can, I think I can do it
Now I'm gonna give it to you
You want it, okay, you got it
Go on now with your bad self, ha
Woo, but I just can′t
Stop doing this thing
I love this hook and sling
Let me do it again one more time
Lord, that feels good
Woo, it make me feel
So unnecessary
I love this hook and sling
Girl, you over there
With that green dress
And those great big old yams
You look so good
You love to do that thing
They call hook and sling
Don't you
Well, do it again for me
Do it, baby
The song "Hook and Sling" by Eddie Bo is a classic example of a funk song from the 1960s. The lyrics are repetitive and focus on the physical act of dancing. The singer urges the listeners to keep moving and "hooking" and "slinging." The words form a call-and-response pattern, with the singer asking if he has the moves right and then encouraging the audience to dance along with him. The song's emphasis is on the physical experience of the music and the joy that it brings.
Beyond the simple lyrics, the song has a strong beat and lively instrumentation. The horns and percussion in particular give the song a lively rhythm that encourages dancing. The lyrics echo this spirit, with the singer emphasizing the importance of moving and keeping the groove going. The song is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and create a shared experience of joy and energy.
Overall, "Hook and Sling" is a classic funk song that embodies the spirit of the 1960s. It is a lively and fun song that encourages dancing and celebrates the joy of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh, ha, uh, do it
Eddie Bo is getting hyped up and encouraging someone, or possibly himself, to go ahead and do something.
Move it, groove it
Eddie Bo is urging someone to keep moving, keep grooving, keep dancing or doing whatever it is they are doing.
Just keep on hooking
Eddie Bo is encouraging someone to keep doing the 'hook' part of the dance, which likely involves a jerking or pulling movement with the arms or legs.
And keep on slinging
Eddie Bo is encouraging someone to keep doing the 'sling' part of the dance, which likely involves a throwing or swinging motion with the arms or legs.
Hook it, sling it, woowee
Eddie Bo is providing some verbal encouragement and cheering on the dancers as they continue to perform the 'hook and sling' dance.
Ooh, but I got a groove
Eddie Bo is expressing his own enthusiasm and confidence in his ability to dance the 'hook and sling' with style and flair.
Lemme see if I can get out there
Eddie Bo is considering joining the dancers on the dance floor and wants to see if he can pull off the 'hook and sling' moves himself.
And do that thing with you
Eddie Bo is addressing a specific person or group and inviting them to dance the 'hook and sling' with him.
Want me to try it
Eddie Bo is asking if someone wants him to show off his 'hook and sling' dance moves.
Yeah, let me get it
Eddie Bo is excited and eager to show off his moves, ready to jump in and join the dancers on the floor.
Woo, I like this thing
Eddie Bo is expressing his enjoyment and enthusiasm for the 'hook and sling' dance.
Woo, but I got a groove, ha
Eddie Bo is once again asserting his own confidence in his dancing ability, claiming he's got a good groove going.
Woowee, did I do it right, y′all
Eddie Bo is seeking validation and approval from those around him, asking if he performed the 'hook and sling' correctly.
Let me gave it one more time
Eddie Bo wants to try the 'hook and sling' dance one more time, possibly to perfect his technique or just for the sheer joy of dancing.
I think I can, I think I can do it
Eddie Bo is quietly reassuring himself that he can perform the dance well and feels confident he's got it down.
Now I'm gonna give it to you
Eddie Bo is ready to show off his 'hook and sling' moves to others, possibly addressing a group of people he's dancing with or performing for.
You want it, okay, you got it
Eddie Bo is granting the request or desire of someone who wants to see him perform the 'hook and sling' dance.
Go on now with your bad self, ha
Eddie Bo is playfully encouraging someone to dance with confidence, as if to say 'don't hold back, let loose and show us what you've got!'
Woo, but I just can′t
Eddie Bo is expressing his own inability to stop dancing the 'hook and sling', as if he's caught up in the joy of it and can't help himself.
Stop doing this thing
Eddie Bo is acknowledging his own love for the 'hook and sling' dance and his inability to resist continuing to dance.
I love this hook and sling
Eddie Bo is declaring his passion and enthusiasm for the 'hook and sling' dance, which brings him great joy and energy.
Let me do it again one more time
Eddie Bo wants to perform the 'hook and sling' dance again, possibly just for the thrill of it or to perfect his technique.
Lord, that feels good
Eddie Bo is acknowledging the physical and emotional pleasure he experiences while dancing the 'hook and sling', as if it's a liberating and fulfilling activity for him.
Woo, it make me feel
Eddie Bo is trying to express the emotion and sensation he experiences while dancing, as if it brings him a high or intense rush of energy.
So unnecessary
Eddie Bo is using slang to describe the joy and pleasure he gets from dancing as 'unnecessary', in a joking or lighthearted way.
I love this hook and sling
Eddie Bo repeats his love for the 'hook and sling' dance, as if it's a central part of his identity or expression.
Girl, you over there
Eddie Bo is addressing a specific woman in the room, perhaps someone he's attracted to or interested in getting to know better.
With that green dress
Eddie Bo is describing the woman's clothing, perhaps as a way to complement her or create a visual image for the listener.
And those great big old yams
Eddie Bo is using slang to refer to the woman's physical assets, specifically her buttocks or breasts.
You look so good
Eddie Bo is complementing the woman's appearance, possibly as a way to flirt or show interest in her.
You love to do that thing
Eddie Bo is suggesting that the woman enjoys dancing the 'hook and sling' or is good at it, and may be hinting at wanting to dance with her.
They call hook and sling
Eddie Bo is explaining the name of the dance, as if to educate the listener or create a dialogue around the dance style.
Don't you
Eddie Bo is prompting the woman to respond or continue the conversation, possibly in a playful or flirtatious way.
Well, do it again for me
Eddie Bo is asking the woman to dance the 'hook and sling' again, as if he's enamored with her or just sincerely enjoys dancing with her.
Do it, baby
Eddie Bo is encouraging the woman to dance the 'hook and sling' with him, as if he's genuinely interested in dancing with her or just creating a fun, lighthearted atmosphere for everyone.
Writer(s): Edwin J Bocage, Alfred Scramuzza
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.