According to Paxton – who, at the time, was half of Skip & Flip – "Alley Oop" was written by Dallas Frazier as a country tune:
"As for the name, Kim Fowley and I were living in a $15-a-week room in Hollywood.... Since I was still under contract (to Brent Records) as 'Flip,' I couldn't put my name on 'Alley Oop.' Seeing that the studio was on the corner of Hollywood Blvd. And Argyle Street, I decided on Hollywood Argyles... Richard Podolor's studio American Recording Company in the Hollywood Palladium building is where the song was recorded... Other than myself, there were no actual Hollywood Argyles. Everyone else on the track was either a friend or a studio musician who I paid $25 apiece for the session. When 'Alley Oop' suddenly took off and people wanted to book us for concerts, there was no such group."
The "Alley Oop" session was produced by Kim Fowley; Sandy Nelson was the percussionist. He recalled that "all the participants were hopelessly drunk on cider by the time they recorded the song...." According to some reports, the lead vocalist on the track "Alley Oop" is Norm Davis. He was paid a one-time fee of $25 for his work on the single. He is currently a poet in Rochester, New York. "Alley Oop" was the first song played on WLS-AM Radio in Chicago on May 2, 1960, when it changed format from farm programming to rock and roll.
The song sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
According to Jerry Osborne, two other groups, Dante and the Evergreens (Madison 130, US #15) and the Dyna-Sores (Rendezvous 120, US#59),[8] had a version of "Alley Oop" on the charts at the same time.
Frazier is perhaps best known for writing the song "There Goes My Everything," a hit song for Jack Greene in 1966 and Engelbert Humperdinck in 1967. Frazier also wrote and recorded "Elvira" which became a 1981 country hit for the Oak Ridge Boys.
Paxton later formed Garpax Records and became a gospel artist.
Fowley soon produced the Murmaids' 1963 hit "Popsicles and Icicles" (US #3). He also helped bring together the Runaways in 1975, as well as the Orchids (not the Glaswegians, but another American all-girl band). Their 1980 album, The Orchids, was released on MCA Records as MCA-3235.
So fine
The Hollywood Argyles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
There's a man in the funny papers we all know
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He lives way back a long time ago
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He don't eat nothin' but a bear cat stew
Well, this cat's name is Alley-Oop
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He 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 got a big ugly club and a head full of hair
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Like great big lions and grizzly bears
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
(Alley-Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley-Oop) Wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley-Oop) He's the king of the jungle jive
(Look at that cave man go!) (Scream!)
He rides through the jungle, tearin' limbs off of trees
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Knockin' great big monsters dead on their knees
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
The 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)
(Alley-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 cave man go!) (Scream!)
There he goes
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Look at that cave man go
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He sure is hip, ain't he?
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Like what's happening
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
He's too much
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Ride, daddy, ride
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Hi-yo, dinosaur
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Ride, daddy, ride
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Get 'em, man
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
Like hips ville
(Alley-Oop, oop, oop, oop-oop)
The Hollywood Argyles's song Alley Oop tells the story of a character named Alley-Oop who is a caveman-like figure living in prehistoric times. The song describes Alley-Oop's strength and fearlessness, as he rides through the jungle tearing limbs off trees and knocking down monsters. Additionally, the song notes that Alley-Oop is feared by the cats in the jungle, implying that even the animals know not to mess with him. The lyrics are characterized by repetitive chanting of "Alley-Oop" and "Oop-oop," which adds to the song's playful and upbeat feeling.
The song was originally written by Dallas Frazier and made popular by the American rock band, The Hollywood Argyles, in 1960. Although the song's lyrics and melody were amusing, they were also seen as problematic due to their sexist and racist undertones. The lyrics reinforce traditional gender roles by describing Alley-Oop as a "man's man" who is fearless and strong, while the women in the song are relegated to minor roles. Additionally, the song's use of non-standard English for comedic effect is regarded by some as cultural appropriation.
Despite its controversial nature, Alley Oop was an instant hit upon its release and has remained a popular song since then. It has been covered by various artists over the years, and its catchy beat and repetitive lyrics continue to be a favorite of fans of early rock and roll.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a man in the funny papers we all know
Introducing the subject of the song, a character widely known from comic strips
He lives way back a long time ago
The character is from an ancient era
He don't eat nothin' but a bear cat stew
The character's diet consists solely of a specific type of stew
Well, this cat's name is Alley-Oop
Revealing the character's name
He got a chauffeur that's a genuine dinosaur
Describing the character's mode of transportation, a dinosaur
And he can knuckle your head before you count to four
Not only is the dinosaur a means of transportation, but it's also a formidable bodyguard
He got a big ugly club and a head full of hair
The character is equipped with a large club and has plenty of hair
Like great big lions and grizzly bears
The character's appearance and demeanor is reminiscent of large, powerful animals
(Alley-Oop) He's the toughest man there is alive
Establishing the character as a tough and formidable individual
(Alley-Oop) Wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
Describing the character's clothing, which is made of animal hide
(Alley-Oop) He's the king of the jungle jive
The character is the dominant figure in his environment and has a distinctive style
(Look at that cave man go!) (Scream!)
Encouraging others to observe the character's impressive actions and cheer him on
He rides through the jungle, tearin' limbs off of trees
The character maintains his toughness by easily destroying his surroundings
Knockin' great big monsters dead on their knees
The character is able to overpower and defeat large, dangerous creatures
The cats don't bug him 'cause they know better
Even the animals in the character's environment are aware of his power and know not to cross him
'Cause he's a mean motor scooter and a bad go-getter
Reiterating the character's strong and tough personality
There he goes
Emphasizing the character's movements and actions
Look at that cave man go
Encouraging others to continue watching the character's impressive display
He sure is hip, ain't he?
Complimenting the character's style and personality
Like what's happening
Implying that the character is up-to-date and trendy
He's too much
Reiterating the character's impressiveness
Ride, daddy, ride
Encouraging the character to continue his impressive display
Hi-yo, dinosaur
Praising the character's unique mode of transportation
Get 'em, man
Encouraging the character to continue fighting and overpowering his environment
Like hips ville
Comparing the character's impressive performance to a trendy, hip location
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Ronald L. Mack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind