His piano playing incorporated the boogie-woogie styles of Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, and Albert Ammons, the jazz style of Jelly Roll Morton and the rhythm-and-blues style of Fats Domino.[2] Steve Huey of AllMusic noted that "At the peak of his game, Smith epitomized New Orleans R&B at its most infectious and rollicking, as showcased on his classic signature tune, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".[3]
Smith died at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on February 13, 2023, aged 89
Don't you Know Yockomo
Huey 'Piano' Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
Ling-ting-ting (ling-ting-ting)
Hey-ay-oh (hey-ay-oh)
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Reet Petite
Get the beat
Do a boogie woogie in the middle of the street
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
Ling-ting-ting (ling-ting-ting)
Hey-ay-oh (hey-ay-oh)
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Be-bop and jive
Rock and roll
Come on everybody let's do the stroll
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
Ling-ting-ting (ling-ting-ting)
Hey-ay-oh (hey-ay-oh)
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Hey little girl come
Rock and roll
Do a little dance in the middle of the floor
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
Ling-ting-ting (ling-ting-ting)
Hey-ay-oh (hey-ay-oh)
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Baby baby
Oh my baby
Step that step that
Jitterbug
The one in the corner is the one I love
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
The song "Don't You Know Yockomo" by Huey 'Piano' Smith is an upbeat and jazzy tune that encapsulates the essence of rock and roll music of the 1950s. The lyrics are simple and catchy, urging the listeners to get on their feet and dance to the rhythm. The refrain "koom-ba-lay-hey, two-way-pocky-way, hidey-hidey-hidey-ho, don't you knock Yockomo, ling-ting-ting, hey-ay-oh" is repeated throughout the song, acting as a sort of dance call that encourages people to come together and enjoy the music. The verses talk about the joys of dancing and singing, with lines like "Reet Petite, get the beat, do a boogie woogie in the middle of the street" and "Be-bop and jive, rock and roll, come on everybody let's do the stroll." The song's lighthearted and energetic tone invites the listeners to forget their troubles and revel in the moment.
The song's title is a reference to the Mardi Gras Indian chant "Iko, Iko," which features the lyrics "Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-né, Jock-a-mo fee na-né." "Yockomo" is a variation of this chant, and the refrain of "Don't You Know Yockomo" incorporates elements of the Mardi Gras Indian chant. Additionally, "Yockomo" has been interpreted to mean "let's party" or "let's have fun," further emphasizing the song's joyful and celebratory nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Koom-ba-lay-hey (koom-ba-lay-hey)
A call to dance and have fun
Two-way-pocky-way (two-way-pocky-way)
A dance move instruction
Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho (hidey-hidey-hidey-ho)
Encouragement to have a good time
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
Don't criticize or badmouth Yockomo, a person or thing
Ling-ting-ting (ling-ting-ting)
Onomatopoeia of a catchy tune or ringtone
Hey-ay-oh (hey-ay-oh)
Another call to have fun
Baby baby
Addressing a loved one
Oh my baby
Expressing affection
Reet Petite
A playful phrase that adds rhythm to the song
Get the beat
Instruction to catch up with the music
Do a boogie woogie in the middle of the street
A suggestion to dance in public and let loose, ignoring societal norms
Be-bop and jive
A reference to popular dance styles in the 50s
Rock and roll
A call to dance or an expression of enjoyment
Come on everybody let's do the stroll
A suggestion to do a popular dance move together
Hey little girl come
Addressing a female with affection
Do a little dance in the middle of the floor
Encouraging to dance, let loose, and have fun regardless of location or surroundings
Step that step that
Instruction for a certain step or dance move
Jitterbug
A dance move or dance style popular in the 50s
The one in the corner is the one I love
Admiration for a specific person
Don't you knock Yockomo (don't you know Yockomo)
A repeated reminder to not badmouth someone or something
Contributed by Isaiah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.