Before teaming up with Keely Smith, Prima was already a popular trumpet player, singer and consumate SHOWMAN for over a decade who'd already been married three times. He had scored success by writing the swing anthem "Sing, Sing, Sing" a huge hit for for Benny Goodman, and scored with some novelty tunes for himself like "Robin Hood", "Bell Bottom Trousers" in 1945 and 1948's "Civilization (Bongo Bongo Bongo)". Prima had emerged from the New Orleans jazz scene, before starting a big band, and his charm & looks had him selling out major venues nationwide including drawing record crowds to New York's Paramount Theater. His records often played upon his Sicilian heritage, and novelty tracks included "Please No Squeeza Da Banana," and "Josephine, Please No Lean On The Bell."
He was considered a bit philanderous, and dated numerous women even when married. The boisterous & colorful Italian-American performer had already operated a nightclub under the name the "Famous Door" in Los Angeles where he also began dating starlets & using show biz contacts to appear in some films alongside fellow performers like Bing Crosby.
Dorothy Jacqueline Keely aka Keely Smith was discovered by Prima in Norfolk VA on tour in the late 1940's. She came up to the bandstand and won an impromptu talent contest with her voice. Prima took an instant liking to her dry wit and got the young girl's mother to sign a permission slip and she hit the road with the band. At the time Prima was signed to Columbia, and they began recording material under the direction of Mitch Miller.
Prima's career had many ups & downs, and his financial status was always precarious. By the early 1950's, with his popularity waning he could no longer afford to pay a big band, and he could find no steady work anymore on the east coast. After a desperate plea to an old talent agent friend, he was signed to play five graveyard sets in a small lounge in a new Las Vegas casino called the Sahara in 1954. Legend has it that Prima was so broke when he arrived in the desert outpost that his shoes had holes in them.
Explaining his situation to his brother in New Orleans, it was arranged that a small combo of young musicians led by Sam Butera would be shipped out to Las Vegas pronto to back Louis & Keely.
Barely having met before their opening night, the group instantly became a hit in Las Vegas, and they performed nightly from midnight until 6 am. Prima would blow his horn ala Louis Armstrong, joking, jigging and jostling against Butera on the tiny stage. Keely would ignore the boys hyperactive hub bub, filing her nails, and looking bored & blase' between her vocal lines. The audiences ate up the mix of comedy & hot swing sounds.
The tiny Casbar lounge began filling up early and joining stray gamblers some nights were other show people and celebrities like Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack entourage. Suddenly, like a phoenix, Prima was back on top and was offered a recording contract from Sinatra's label Capitol.
They had numeous hits, and the casino show excitement was captured live for the 1956 album the album The Wildest! They later won a Grammy in 1959 for their collaboration on "That Old Black Magic".
The liner notes described their combination of talents:
"By all odds, the combination of Louis Prima and Keely Smith shouldn't work. How could Louis, a confirmed inciter to riot, and Keely, normally a model of smoky-voiced sobriety, do anything but clash? But clash they don't. Explode they do!"
-from The Hits Of Louis And Keely, Capitol Records
Despite having two children, Prima and Smith divorced in the early 1960's after it became apparent the couple were no longer aligned, most conspicuously the curious culprit Louis "Just a Gigolo" Prima being unable to curb his wandering eye. He eventually remarried for a 5th and final time to Gia Maione and continued the act in a similar vein while Keely Smith went on to a solo career that continues to this day as a popular balladeer.
Hey Boy! Hey Girl!
Louis Prima & Keely Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Aha)
Uhum
(Uhum)
Si, si
(Si, si)
Ya, ya
Oui, oui
(Oui, oui)
Dah, dah
(Dah, dah)
Ok
(Ok)
Yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah)
All right
(All right)
Hey girl, you sure look fine
(Aha)
Hey boy, you're sweet as wine
(Aha)
So let's get together, baby
Let me going see us on time
(Aha)
Hey girl, I did your touch
(Aha)
Hey boy, you're much too much
(Aha)
So let's get together, baby
Let me going see us on time
(Aha)
I look in your eyes and my knees get weak
When you're in my arms I can hardly speak
I hear crazy music when I called your name
Baby, baby, baby, do you feel the same?
Hey girl
(Aha)
How about to kiss
(Aha)
Hey boy, I can't resist
(Aha)
Now we're going to study
And I'll never, never let you go
(Aha)
Hey girl, I like the way you look
(Aha)
Hey boy, I can really cook
(Aha)
Now we get married
And I'll never, never let you go
(Aha)
Aha
(Aha)
Uhum
(Uhum)
Uhum
(Uhum)
Si, si
(Si, si)
Ya, ya
(Ya, ya)
Oui, oui
(Oui, oui)
Oui, oui
(Oui, oui)
Dah, dah
(Dah, dah)
Oh boy
(Oh boy)
All right
(All right)
I look in your eyes and I'm glad you're mine
When I'm in your arms you're so divine
I hear pretty music when I called your name
Baby, baby, baby, do you feel the same?
Hey girl
(Aha)
Tell me what's the score
(Aha)
Hey boy, I love you more and more
(Aha)
Now that we're married
I'll never, never, never, never, never, never
Never, never let you go
Hey girl
The song “Hey Boy! Hey Girl!” by Louis Prima and Keely Smith is a love duet that expresses mutual admiration for each other's looks, skills, and strengths. The song is defined by the back-and-forth between the male and female vocalists; they start by affirming each other before concluding their dialogue as newlyweds that are utterly inseparable. The call-and-response structure creates a playful and flirtatious tone that often involves the use of different languages such as Spanish, French, and English, giving the song a multicultural feel.
The chorus declares the partners' desire to remain together for good, with several repetitions of the phrase “I’ll never, never let you go.” The harmonies and instrumentals have a swing jazz feel, with the brass section and percussion blending smoothly to create an upbeat tempo. The vocalists perform duets and solos, showcasing their talent and range, and the lyrics are full of witty and clever wordplay.
The lyrics of “Hey Boy! Hey Girl!” highlight the flirtatious banter, playful tone, and mutual attraction of the male and female protagonists. The song's message is that they love each other's company and plan to stay together forever. The song's playful lyrics and catchy melody make it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Aha
Expression of surprise or realization
Uhum
Expression of agreement or acknowledgement
Si, si
Yes, yes (in Spanish)
Ya, ya
Yes, yes (in English)
Oui, oui
Yes, yes (in French)
Dah, dah
Agreement or encouragement
Ok
Agreement or acknowledgement
Yeah, yeah
Agreement or acknowledgement
All right
Agreement or encouragement
Hey girl, you sure look fine
Addressing a female and complimenting their appearance
Hey boy, you're sweet as wine
Addressing a male and complimenting their personality
So let's get together, baby
Let me going see us on time
Suggesting or agreeing to spend time together
Hey girl, I dig your touch
Hey boy, you're much too much
Complimenting physical touch and personality
I look in your eyes and my knees get weak
When you're in my arms I can hardly speak
I hear crazy music when I called your name
Baby, baby, baby, do you feel the same?
Expressing intense emotional and physical attraction
Hey girl
How about to kiss
Hey boy, I can't resist
Suggesting physical intimacy with consent
Now we're going to study
And I'll never, never let you go
Implying commitment and dedication to the relationship
Hey girl, I like the way you look
Hey boy, I can really cook
Complimenting physical appearance and culinary skills
Now we get married
And I'll never, never let you go
Committing to a lifelong partnership
Oh boy
All right
Expression of excitement or agreement
I look in your eyes and I'm glad you're mine
When I'm in your arms you're so divine
I hear pretty music when I called your name
Baby, baby, baby, do you feel the same?
Expressing love and affection towards the partner
Hey girl
Tell me what's the score
Hey boy, I love you more and more
Asking about the state of the relationship and expressing growing affection
Now that we're married
I'll never, never, never, never, never, never
Never, never let you go
Reiterating commitment to the partnership till death do them part
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: MCLOLLIE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justforme3821
Thank you for this classic gem! They don't make 'em this way anymore.
@abdullaha.d4689
Some song you need “ for old generation only “ ❤❤
@chenzenzo
Man, Sam is goin crazy ova there! ❤
@DennisRogersFeatheryournest
Ah Ha.... The band is groovin'. Thanks for these gems.....
@janaddeo236
Back in 1987 I was i living in Las Vegas and one day we all went to the Feast of San Gennaro and I walked over to a table with a bunch of guys and sat down, and we were talking for about an hour.
Suddenly they all got up and I said where are you going, one of then said we're going on stage we're the band ''LOUIE PRIMA'S BAND. I sat there with my mouth open I didn't realize at the time who they were.
I when home popped the video in of this movie , and it was them I recognized all of them of course they were older but it was them.
@trinns
Love this so much!!!
@carlosalbertodelgadolopez6000
Excelente!!!!!
@anitchlikadze3451
💖💖💖
@nikolaremi5793
:)🍷
@vinniejones8309
If Mel Brooks ws a singer