The stage name P.J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley (Eddie Cochran's girlfriend) who remembered the name of an old high school boyfriend.
P.J. Proby did demos for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and other artists. His greatest hits are "Somewhere", "Maria", "Hold Me", "Niki Hoeky" and "I Apologise". In 1996, Marc Almond produced the album Legend which included the duet single "Yesterday Has Gone".
Niki Hoeky
P.J. Proby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down in Cajun land
Folks got something goin'
Goes something like
Folks come an git'cha tootsie
I wants to t'tie ya puppe'tame me
Gonna dig ya on a scoobydoo
Ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Umm hmm, umm
Said, golly, golly miss Molly
Everything's copesetic now
Boog-a-boo, look at you
What I'd like to do to you boy
Ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Umm hmm, hmm
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Your pappy's doing time in the pokey
Your sisters on a trip
Your momma got hip
Little boy you're lookin' ok
You ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
I'm talking bout your boola
Talking bout that wee
I'm talking bout your boola
Talking bout that wee
Well get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Niki Hoeky
The lyrics to "Niki Hoeky" by P.J. Proby tell a story of a boy named Niki who seems to come from a troubled family. His father is in jail, his sister is away, and his mother has become hip to something. The song suggests that the people in Cajun land have something going on - something like getting "tootsie," which could be a reference to dancing or having a party. The lyrics also mention a "boolawee," which is likely a made-up word, but it could refer to a type of dance or party.
The song is full of nonsense words, like "scoobydoo" and "scubadie," which could just be used for their rhythmic effect. The chorus is repetitive, with the phrase "ooh boog-a-boo you" being repeated several times, likely as a way to create a catchy and memorable hook. The song has a playful and lighthearted tone, with a focus on having fun and getting down.
Overall, the lyrics to "Niki Hoeky" are a fun and nonsensical romp through Cajun land, with a catchy beat and playful tone that invites listeners to get up and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Louisiana
In the state of Louisiana
Down in Cajun land
In the area of Louisiana known for its Cajun culture
Folks got something goin'
The people have something happening
Goes something like
It goes something similar to
Folks come an git'cha tootsie
People come to get you, little girl
I wants to t'tie ya puppe'tame me
I want to tie you up like a puppet
Gonna dig ya on a scoobydoo
I'm going to like you a lot
Gonna gitcha on'a scubadie
I'm going to get you, little girl
Ooh boog-a-boo you
Oh, how I love you, little girl
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
You, oh how I love you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Understand the customs and practices of the area
Umm hmm, umm
Mumbling noises
Said, golly, golly miss Molly
Expressing surprise or excitement
Everything's copesetic now
Everything is going well
Boog-a-boo, look at you
Oh, how I love you
What I'd like to do to you boy
What I would like to do with you, little boy
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Referring to someone named Niki Hoeky
Your pappy's doing time in the pokey
Your father is in jail
Your sisters on a trip
Your sister is away
Your momma got hip
Your mother is aware and cool
Little boy you're lookin' ok
You, little boy, are looking good
I'm talking bout your boola
I'm talking about your private parts
Talking bout that wee
Talking about your urine
Well get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Understand the customs and practices of the area
Niki, Niki, Niki
Referring to someone named Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Referring to someone named Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Referring to someone named Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Referring to someone named Niki Hoeky
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas, Pat Vegas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Smith
The lyrics:
Down in Louisiana
Down in Cajun land
Folks got something goin'
Goes something like
Folks come an git'cha tootsie
I wants to t'tie ya puppe'tame me
Gonna dig ya on a scoobydoo
Gonna gitcha on'a scubadie
Ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Umm hmm, umm
Said, golly, golly miss Molly
Everything's copesetic now
Boog-a-boo, look at you
What I'd like to do to you boy
Ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Umm hmm, hmm
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Your pappy's doing time in the pokey
Your sisters on a trip
Your momma got hip
Little boy you're lookin' ok
You ooh boog-a-boo you
You ooh boog-a-boo you, little boy
Get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
I'm talking bout your boola
Talking bout that wee
I'm talking bout your boola
Talking bout that wee
Well get hip to the consultation of the boolawee
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki
Niki, Niki, Niki Hoeky
Niki Hoeky
F. E. Parker
I loved this song way back then! It was a great dance tune and still makes me move my feet at 70 years old! 🎵😃🎶
arvantis
Growing up, there wasn't a "garage / basement" band that didn't cover this tune.
A true"all time" classic!!
PDTALLMAN
Holds up really well today in 2020. I was in high school when this song was released. Never get tired of it.
Jim Hoffmann
I love this song for its historical significance if anything else. Written by Pat and Lolly Vegas and Jim Ford in 1967, though it originated in the late 50s. Pat and Lolly crafted it as a party song while attending Salinas High School, Salinas, CA. "Niki Hoeky" is the first modern Swamp Rock song ever recorded. Interestingly, Bobby Gentry's "Ode To Bobby Joe" follows the same basic rhythm as NH. How can that be? Pat was dating Gentry at the time, and he produced the first recording of it for her. (See the book "Come And Get Your Love" by Pat Vegas)
Stephanie KJ
I've scoured YouTube and listened to many versions of this song. Nobody sings it like PJ Proby. Love it.
Robert Huge
Dobie Gray said it best... The originals are still the greatest.
moosic2i
I don't know, Aretha's version runs it a close second!
ToasterTwo
I also love Burton Cummings version. It sounds more country.
rontenn1
P.J. got a U.S.A gold record for this in1967. Deservedly so!! As usual, just like every song P.J. records, it's impossible for anyone else to do a better job of it! What a LEGEND!
rontenn1
P.J.Proby......what a voice!! Amazingly the guy is still recording & touring & is still based in the U.K. even tho' he's from Houston,Texas To me & many others he's a true legend!! Ron