Their first record was credited to Walter Ward and the Challengers ("I Can Tell" on Melatone Records). After the name change, they recorded "Western Movies" (Demon Records) in the summer of 1958. Co-written by Fred Smith and Cliff Goldsmith, "Western Movies" made it to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song reflected the nation's preoccupation with western themed movies and television programs. It told the story of a man who lost his girl to TV westerns, and it included doo-wop harmonies as well as background gunshots and ricochet sound effects.
In 1959 the group recorded "(Baby) Hully Gully," which initiated the hully gully dance craze. "Big Boy Pete," which the group released in 1960, served as inspiration for The Kingsmen's "Jolly Green Giant." Over the next ten years The Olympics recorded upbeat R&B songs, often about dances popular at the time.
In 1966 The Young Rascals covered The Olympics 1965 song, "Good Lovin'", and took it to #1 on the US Hot 100. Since then, many recorded versions have been made by prominent artists, including The Who, The Grateful Dead, and Bobby McFerrin.
Fizer was shot and killed during the Watts Riots in 1965. Shortly thereafter, King left the group after his sister died in an accidental shooting. A revamped group continued to record into the early 1970s but were unable to attain popular chart success after the mid 1960s. The Olympics continued to perform on the oldies circuit in the United States and other countries.
Walter Ward's song "Well (Baby please don't go)" (the b-side to "Western Movies") was recorded twice by John Lennon in 1971: the February 1971 studio recording was not issued until the 1998 John Lennon Anthology, then again on Wonsaponatime. A June 1971 live recording with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention was issued on 1972's Some Time In New York City, and on Zappa's 1992's Playground Psychotics.
Eddie Lewis, tenor singer and last original member of the Olympics, passed away on May 31, 2017.
Singles
(Chart positions, except were noted, listed are from the Billboard Hot 100 chart)
Year Title Chart positions
US US R&B UK
1958 "Western Movies" 8 7 12
"I Wanna Dance With the Teacher" 71 — —
1959 "Private Eye" 95 — —
1960 "(Baby) Hully Gully" 72 — —
"Big Boy Pete" 50 10 —
"Shimmy Like Kate" 42 — —
"Dance By the Light of the Moon" 47 — —
1961 "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate" — — 40
"Little Pedro" 76 — —
"Dooley" 94 — —
1963 "The Bounce" 40 22 —
"Dancin' Holiday" 86 — —
1965 "Good Lovin'" 81 — —
1966 "Mine Exclusively" 99 25 —
"Baby, Do the Philly Dog" 63 20 —
Albums
"Doin' The Hully Gully" (1960) Arvee A-423
"Dance By The Light Of The Moon" (1961) Arvee A-424
"Party Time" (1961) Arvee A-429
"Do The Bounce" (1963) Tri-Disc 1001
"Something Old, Something New" 1966 Mirwood
Never Say Never
The Olympics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh I'll never feel the same
Woah your poor heart
And put your poor heart in pain
You know I love you babe
You know I love you so
And as long as I'm in love with you
When we was talking what a night
Thought everything was alright
All of a sudden you said
Before I have you I'd rather be dead
You know I love you baby
You know I love you so
And as long as I'm in love with you
I'll never ever ever let you go
When we was talking what a night
Thought everything was alright
All of a sudden you said
Before I have you I'd rather be dead
Never fall in love again
The lyrics of The Olympics' song Never Say Never express a feeling of heartbreak and a reluctance to love again after having experienced pain in the past. The repetition of the phrase "Oh I'll never fall in love again" emphasizes the singer's determination to avoid being hurt once more, suggesting that they have been deeply wounded before. The line "woah your poor heart and put your poor heart in pain" implies that the person they loved in the past may have hurt them intentionally or unintentionally, causing them to be hesitant to trust again.
Throughout the song, the singer reaffirms their strong feelings for their current partner, declaring "you know I love you so" multiple times. This repetition emphasizes the sincerity and depth of their affection, underscoring their commitment to their present relationship. However, the fear of being hurt again still lingers, as expressed in the line "Before I have you I'd rather be dead." This statement suggests that the fear of pain is so great that it is better to avoid love altogether than to risk getting hurt once more.
Overall, the lyrics of Never Say Never by The Olympics convey a complex range of emotions related to love, heartbreak, and trust. The repetition of certain phrases and the use of contrasting language (love/hurt, commitment/fear) creates a compelling narrative that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I'll never fall in love again
I am afraid of being hurt again, so I am closing my heart to love.
Oh I'll never feel the same
The pain of heartbreak has changed me; I will never be the same again.
Woah your poor heart
I am aware of the potential pain and hurt my actions can cause to your heart.
And put your poor heart in pain
I do not want to be the cause of your heart's pain and suffering.
You know I love you babe
I want to reassure you that my love for you is real and true.
You know I love you so
I want you to be sure and confident in my love for you.
And as long as I'm in love with you
My love for you is unwavering and will continue as long as it exists.
I'll never ever ever let you go
I am committed to being with you and will never let you go.
When we was talking what a night
While we were talking, everything felt perfect and wonderful.
Thought everything was alright
I believed that our relationship was going well and that we were happy together.
All of a sudden you said
Unexpectedly, you said something that changed everything.
Before I have you I'd rather be dead
Your words have made me realize that you do not value our relationship as much as I do, and it hurts me deeply.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BUSH, WARD, WALTER JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind