Alley Oop
The Beach Boys Lyrics

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Hey hey hey
Da da da
That's what I say
Da da da

There's a man in the funny papers we all know
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
He lived way back a long time ago

Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Well he don't eat nothin' but bearcat stew
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Oh well this cat's name is a-Alley Oop
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop

He's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop
Wears clothes from a wildcat's hide
Alley Oop
He's the king of the jungle jive
Look at that caveman go!

He's got a chauffeur that's a genuine dinosaur
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
And he can knuckle your head before you count to four
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
He's got a big ugly club and a headful of hair
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
He's oohhhh eatin' grizzly bear
(*Laughter*)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Forgot the words!

He's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop
Wears clothes from a wildcat's hide
Alley Oop
He's the king of the jungle jive
Look at that caveman go!
(*Scream*)

He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs offa trees
(*Scream*)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
And knocking great big monsters dead on their knees
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Other cats don't bug him ''cause they know better
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
''cause he's a mean motor scooter and a bad go-getter
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop

Well, uh, he's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop
Wears clothes from a wildcat's hide
Alley Oop
He's a hully gully king of jive
(*Laugh*)
Well look at that caveman go!
(*Scream*)

There he goes
(There he goes.)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Look at that caveman go
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Ride, daddy, ride
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Heigh-ho, dinosaur
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Oh my goodness, what a big brute he is! Hm!
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Oh, how would you like a dinosaur like that, for your own? Mm!
(*Laughter*)
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop

(G minor. D7.)
(What now? What now?)

(Just give me a minute.)
(Brian, I need a be flat [...]. You know I can't read.)

Overall Meaning

The Beach Boys' song Alley Oop tells the story of a caveman named Alley Oop. The song is a tribute to the comic strip character of the same name created by V.T. Hamlin in 1932. The singer describes Alley Oop as a tough and strong caveman who wears clothes made from a wildcat's hide and eats bearcat stew. The song marvels at Alley Oop's strength as he rides through the jungle tearing limbs off of trees and knocking down monsters.

The lyrics of the song are playful and humorous. The chorus repeats Alley Oop's name several times and encourages the listener to look at him go. The song's call and response structure encourages audience participation, with the lead vocalist emphasizing "Alley Oop" and the backup singers responding with "Oop, Oop, Oop."

The song's catchy melody is augmented by its lively instrumentation. The song features a rhythm track that includes a guitar, bass, and drums. The addition of horns, saxophones, and backing vocals enhances the song's energetic, upbeat quality.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey hey hey
Expression of excitement or attention

Da da da
Repetition of previous expression

That's what I say
Reinforcing previous expression

There's a man in the funny papers we all know Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Introducing Alley Oop, a famous comic strip character from the past

He lived way back a long time ago Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Clarifying that Alley Oop is from the past

Well he don't eat nothin' but bearcat stew Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Oh well this cat's name is a-Alley Oop Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Describing Alley Oop's diet and name

He's the toughest man there is alive Alley Oop Wears clothes from a wildcat's hide Alley Oop He's the king of the jungle jive Look at that caveman go!
Praising Alley Oop's strength, clothes, and dancing skills

He's got a chauffeur that's a genuine dinosaur Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop And he can knuckle your head before you count to four Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop He's got a big ugly club and a headful of hair Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop He's oohhhh eatin' grizzly bear (*Laughter*) Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Forgot the words!
Listing some of Alley Oop's unique features and admitting that the songwriter forgot some lyrics

He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs offa trees (*Scream*) Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop And knocking great big monsters dead on their knees Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Other cats don't bug him ''cause they know better Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop ''cause he's a mean motor scooter and a bad go-getter Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Depicting how skillful and feared Alley Oop is among other animals

He's a hully gully king of jive (*Laugh*) Well look at that caveman go! (*Scream*)
Reiterating Alley Oop's great dancing ability and emphasizing how fun it is to watch him

There he goes (There he goes.) Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Look at that caveman go Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Ride, daddy, ride Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Heigh-ho, dinosaur Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Oh my goodness, what a big brute he is! Hm! Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Oh, how would you like a dinosaur like that, for your own? Mm! (*Laughter*) Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop Alley Oop Oop, Oop Oop Oop
Cheering and commenting on Alley Oop's appearance and actions

(G minor. D7.) (What now? What now?) (Just give me a minute.) (Brian, I need a be flat [...]. You know I can't read.)
Songwriting process and technical difficulties with playing an instrument

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dalla Frazier

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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