He grew up influenced by country as well as blues music, and many of his recordings are classed as rockabilly – he was described by one record producer as "the greatest white-sounding black dude ever". His recording career started in Phoenix, Arizona in 1958, when Lee Hazlewood produced his single, "That's the Way I Feel" / "Oh, My Baby's Gone". His second record, "Linda Lu" / "Monkey’s Uncle" – both sides written by Sharpe, produced by Hazlewood, and featuring Duane Eddy and Al Casey on guitars – was much more successful, reaching No. 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. “Linda Lu” has subsequently been covered by many artists, including the Rolling Stones, The Kingsmen, Johnny Kidd And The Pirates, Flying Burrito Brothers, and Tom Jones.
Subsequent single releases on a variety of record labels were less successful. These included recordings made in 1966 with King Curtis, which featured Jimi Hendrix on guitar. However, Sharpe’s songs have been recorded by acts ranging from Roy Head and the Traits to Neil Young and J. B. Hutto, and he has continued to release records, as well as performing regularly in the Fort Worth area.
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Legend has it that black rockabilly performer Ray Sharpe once had plans to form a duo with his friend, white rockabilly performer and fellow Texan Ronnie Dawson. They were going to call themselves the Oreo Cookies. The more you listen to Sharpe, the more you wish it would have happened (Reportedly, the idea was scrapped when the two young rockers realized that the rest of the world might not see the humor in it that they did...), reason being that it's amazing how much these two guys influenced each other's styles.
Though he's known for the classic roadhouse staple "Linda Lu," the Fort Worth native's swan song is a chicken walkin' opus entitled "Monkey's Uncle" which Dawson himself recorded on a recent album, after years of leveling the house with it during his stage show. Produced by the always fascinating Lee Hazlewood, it's no wonder that the damn thing sounded so cool when Sharpe first cut it in '58. Recorded in Phoenix, he was able to use the members of Duane Eddy's studio backing band.
Mixing with like-minded rockers Al Casey, Sanford Clark, and of course, Duane Eddy, Sharpe help define that twangy-heavy thread of rock 'n' roll that Hazlewood helped to mastermind. As a sidebar to rock and roll history, that's Duane Eddy, the King of Twang, playing the now famous riff on the classic "Linda Lu". Ray's songs have been recorded by acts ranging from Neil Young and Rickie Van Shelton to swamp guitarist Danny James and bottleneck master J.B. Hutto, while his entire approach was a huge influence on Southwest rocker Bobby Fuller. Truly an enigma, the great Texan seems to simultaneously embrace all the ingredients of rock 'n' roll's magic potion with similar aplomb, a rare feat since day one, but one that makes him a living example of the real thing. Right on, Ray
http://www.knights-maumau.com/music_more.php/31/Ray+Sharpe
Linda Lu
Ray Sharpe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But her real name, her real name, her real name is Linda Lu
Well now now they call my Baby, Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name is Linda Lu
You never know what my Baby's gonna do
My Linda Lu
Now when she goes stroling down the street
All the cats, All the cats, All the cats
Turn to look around
Well now she gives everybody the eye
You never know, You never know,
what my Baby's gonna put down
Everybody always tells me
I got the cutest little girl in town
I'm gonna marry that girl
next Saturday night
I'll stay with her for the rest of my life
From now on my rovin' days are through
And it's all because of that chick, a-Linda Lu
Linda Lu, Linda Lu, tell me, tell me, tell me
What are you gonna do
I had a real bad dream last night, Honey
You said, you said, you said that we were through
Well now, if you ever leave me
You're gonna break my poor heart in two
My Linda Lu
alvino99
The lyrics to Ray Sharpe's song "Linda Lu" describe the affection and admiration the singer has for his love interest. He explains that although people call her by a different name, her real name is Linda Lu, emphasizing that he knows her true identity. He describes her physical beauty and the way she turns heads when she walks down the street, making it clear that he is proud to be with her. The singer then declares his intention to marry Linda Lu, finally settling down and ending his "rovin' days." The song ends with a plea to Linda Lu to stay with him, and a warning that if she were to leave, she would break his heart.
The lyrics to "Linda Lu" capture the essence of the 1950s rock 'n' roll era, with their upbeat, jangly sound and their focus on young love and romance. Ray Sharpe's smooth, soulful voice adds to the song's appeal, making it a favorite among fans of early rock 'n' roll. Interestingly, the song was not particularly successful upon its initial release in 1959, only charting at number 46 on the US Billboard Hot 100. However, it has since become a classic of the genre, with numerous covers by other artists and its enduring popularity on oldies stations and in jukeboxes.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, they call my Baby, Patty
People refer to my girlfriend as Patty
But her real name, her real name, her real name is Linda Lu
Her actual name is Linda Lou, not Patty
She's so fine, fair and pretty
My girlfriend is attractive and beautiful
You never know what my Baby's gonna do
My girlfriend is unpredictable
Now when she goes strolling down the street
When my girlfriend walks down the road
All the cats, All the cats, All the cats
All the men around her
Turn to look around
They all stare at her
Well now she gives everybody the eye
She looks at everyone with seduction
You never know, You never know,
It's difficult to predict what she'll do
what my Baby's gonna put down
What surprises she has in store
Everybody always tells me
Everyone compliments me
I got the cutest little girl in town
My girlfriend is the most attractive girl in the town
I'm gonna marry that girl
I want to marry her
next Saturday night
We are getting married next Saturday
I'll stay with her for the rest of my life
I plan to spend my entire life with her
From now on my rovin' days are through
I'm done being a wanderer and am settling down
And it's all because of that chick, a-Linda Lu
It's all thanks to my girlfriend Linda Lu
Linda Lu, Linda Lu, tell me, tell me, tell me
Asking my girlfriend what she's thinking
What are you gonna do
What are your plans?
I had a real bad dream last night, Honey
Last night I had a terrible dream, Honey
You said, you said, you said that we were through
You told me that we were breaking up
Well now, if you ever leave me
If you ever leave me
You're gonna break my poor heart in two
My heart will be shattered if you leave
My Linda Lu
My beloved girlfriend Linda Lu
Writer(s): Ray Sharpe Copyright: Gregmark Music Inc.
Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marjoriee.forresterproduct4472
My husband and I were watching Judge Mathis’s show also. We pulled this song up and also found it unique too. Life is such an exciting journey. You meet remarkable people with the right timing. I wish him all the best with his son and daughter despite the outcome.
@paulapitre224
I also watch Emond on Judge Mathis today I had to look him up the guy is his son and he said he still love the other woman
@dreb7127
I watched n seen it to judge mathis always is the hook up
@clairehowzell2824
I came from Judge Mathis too
@arnasiahigginbotham3352
Me too lol I had to look the song up
@Mommavee3
Judge Mathis brought me here! I love this, 29 years old, but an old soul ❤️
@jeannettehibbler2092
Me too...old soul!
@treasureisland4986
@@jeannettehibbler2092 : me three.
@barbaramoore2326
Mr sharp I saw you on judge Mathis I decided to listen to the song very nice song.
@truleeserenity9779
Great song!!! Just saw this gentleman on Judge Mathis!!!