His most popular works are those from his early 1960's Minit records years, when he was associated closely with producer/composer Allen Toussaint. During this period he was managed by a local radio DJ named Larry McKinley, the co-owner of Minit, whose other partner was A-1 records distributor Joe Banashak. Other tunes made during Doe's 1961 chart attempts under Toussaint's tutelage included "I Cried My Last Tear" (#69 Pop) b/w "A Certain Girl" (#71 Pop), and "Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta" (#53 Pop, #21 R&B. Prior to recording with Minit, Doe had started his professional career on the gospel circuit, eventually joining The Four Blazes, a gig that earned him his first recording session in late 1953 for United but the session went unreleased. His first record ("Honey Love"/"No Mercy") came in 1955 with a group called The Blue Diamonds on Savoy. Solo releases on Specialty and Ember under the surnames Kador & Kado before finally becoming K-Doe were early career moves. After his Minit deal ran out he moved to the Instant & then Duke/Peacock labels, working again with Toussaint for an LP in 1970 on the Janus label.
During his tireless touring years he performed in venues like Harlem's Apollo Theater 8 times, and Chicago's Regal Theater a dozen times. He fell into a period of substance abuse & homelessness during the late 70's, before he began hosting a radio program in on New Orleans FM station WWOZ in 1982. Eventually cleaning up & marrying, he opened his own New Orleans nightclub called the Mother-in-Law Lounge. In the mid nineties, he finally recorded another album with Milton Battiste at the helm. His widow Antoinette still maintains the bar despite heavy flood damage after Hurricane Katrina, and ran her dead husband for mayor in the 2006 elections saying he was the only qualified candidate.
Popeye Joe
Ernie K-Doe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I get the music with the rock 'n' roll beat
There's a dance going 'round from coast to coast
You know now
Yeah, yeah
A brand new dance they call the Popeye Joe, now
Whoa Joe
Here's the thing now, the Popeye Joe
I know, they hully gully in your town
I know, they're mashin' them potatoes
And they're twisting all around
But here's a dance I think you should know now
Yeah, yeah
A brand new dance they call the Popeye Joe, now
Whoa Joe
(Hey Joe)
Here's the thing now, the Popeye Joe
Yeah, yeah Popeye baby
(Hey Joe)
Yeah, yeah, Popeye, baby
I said, you're lookin' good
You and Joe there
Ahh, you put your hands on your hips
You go around a little bit
In these lyrics from Ernie K-Doe's song "Popeye Joe," the singer is expressing his love for rock 'n' roll music and the way it makes him feel. He says that when he hears the music with its fast and energetic tempo, his head starts spinning like a spinning wheel. He then goes on to talk about a new dance that's been sweeping the nation called the Popeye Joe. Ernie describes how the dance involves putting one's hands on their hips and moving in a circular motion, and he encourages his listeners to give it a try.
What's interesting about this song is the way it blends different musical styles to create something new and exciting. Ernie K-Doe was part of the New Orleans R&B scene in the 1960s, which was known for its lively and eclectic mix of influences from jazz, blues, and gospel music. "Popeye Joe" incorporates all of these elements, with its catchy melody, driving rhythm section, and soulful vocal delivery. The song's lyrics are also an example of the creativity and humor that was a hallmark of this era in American music.
Line by Line Meaning
I said, my head goes spinnin' like a spinnin' wheel
When I hear rock 'n' roll, I get so excited and dizzy that it feels like my head is spinning like a wheel
When I get the music with the rock 'n' roll beat
I get really into a song that has a rock 'n' roll beat
There's a dance going 'round from coast to coast
People all across the country are dancing and enjoying themselves to the same popular dance
You know now
You should be aware/have some knowledge of this
A brand new dance they call the Popeye Joe, now
This is a new dance that is gaining popularity and is known as the Popeye Joe
Whoa Joe
Wow, this is amazing and exciting
(Hey Joe)
This is a shout-out to someone named Joe
Here's the thing now, the Popeye Joe
Listen up, this is what the Popeye Joe dance is all about
I know, they hully gully in your town
I know people in your town are doing the Hully Gully dance
I know, they're mashin' them potatoes
I know they're also doing the Mashed Potato dance
And they're twisting all around
They're even doing some twists and turns
But here's a dance I think you should know now
But wait, there's a new dance that I want to introduce to you
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, I'm getting really excited about this
A brand new dance they call the Popeye Joe, now
It's the Popeye Joe and it's still a new dance
Whoa Joe
Still excited about this
(Hey Joe)
Still shouting out to Joe
Here's the thing now, the Popeye Joe
Let me tell you again what the Popeye Joe dance is all about
Yeah, yeah Popeye baby
Yeah, let's keep dancing, baby
(Hey Joe)
Joe, let's keep this dance going
Yeah, yeah, Popeye, baby
Yeah, keep the energy up with the Popeye Joe
I said, you're lookin' good
You are doing this dance really well and look great doing it
You and Joe there
You and Joe are really crushing it
Ahh, you put your hands on your hips
Remember to put your hands on your hips while doing the Popeye Joe
You go around a little bit
Follow the moves and spin around a little bit while continuing to dance to the Popeye Joe
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.