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
Western Movies
The Olympics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby's got it tuned on channel eight
Wyatt Earp and the Big Cheyenne
Comin' thru the T.V. shootin' up the land
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
My baby loves the Western movies
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
I call baby on the telephone
To tell her half of my head was gone
I just got hit by a great big brick
She says thanks for reminding me about that Maverick
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
My baby loves the Western movies
Mm hmm, my baby (loves the Western movies)
Well there's Jeremy Roller and Old Cochise
Jim Hardy, Jim Bowie and Sugarfoot
They all have gun, they all will travel
Give me back my boots and saddle
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
My baby loves the Western movies
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
Here's the story of the certain Wagon Train McCord ?
A broken arrow has broken my heart
Jefferson Thomas hit the sled till it's gone
Untied my baby and the fight was won
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
My baby loves the Western movies
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
My baby loves the Western movies
The lyrics to "Western Movies" by The Olympics are a humorous take on a familiar trope in American culture: the obsession with Western films and TV shows. The singer can't seem to win the affections of his lover, who is instead entranced by the constant stream of Westerns on TV. It seems that no matter what he does or says, his lover is always more interested in the exploits of Wyatt Earp, Jim Hardy, and others.
The singer even calls his lover on the phone to tell her about his recent injury, but she brushes it off and just goes back to watching TV. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the singer's frustration and his lover's obsession with the Western genre.
The song is essentially a comedic commentary on the appeal of Western films and TV shows in American culture, particularly during the mid-20th century when this song was released. It's also a playful jab at the idea that people can become so enamored with fictional characters and stories that they lose touch with reality.
Line by Line Meaning
To save my soul I can't get a date
I am unable to get a date even if it means saving my soul.
Baby's got it tuned on channel eight
Baby has the TV tuned to channel eight to watch Western movies.
Wyatt Earp and the Big Cheyenne
Wyatt Earp and the Big Cheyenne are characters appearing in Western movies.
Comin' thru the T.V. shootin' up the land
The characters in Western movies appearing on TV are shooting up the land.
Mm hmm, my baby loves the Western movies
The artist's baby enjoys watching Western movies.
I call baby on the telephone
The singer calls their baby on the telephone.
To tell her half of my head was gone
The singer tells their baby that they feel like half of their head is gone.
I just got hit by a great big brick
The artist just got hit by something large and heavy.
She says thanks for reminding me about that Maverick
Baby thanks the artist for reminding them about Maverick, a Western TV show.
Well there's Jeremy Roller and Old Cochise
Jeremy Roller and Old Cochise are characters appearing in Western movies.
Jim Hardy, Jim Bowie and Sugarfoot
Jim Hardy, Jim Bowie, and Sugarfoot are other characters appearing in Western movies.
They all have gun, they all will travel
All the characters in Western movies have guns and are willing to travel.
Give me back my boots and saddle
This line is a reference to a Western TV show called Boots and Saddle.
Here's the story of the certain Wagon Train McCord
This is a reference to a Western TV show called Wagon Train.
A broken arrow has broken my heart
A symbol of love, the bow and arrow, has let the singer down and caused them heartache.
Jefferson Thomas hit the sled till it's gone
This line is unclear in meaning as the context is not clear.
Untied my baby and the fight was won
This line is unclear in meaning as the context is not clear.
My baby loves the Western movies
This phrase, repeated throughout the song, emphasizes the singer's baby's love for Western movies.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CLIFFORD GOLDSMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
etuffmen
To save my soul
I can't get a date
My baby's got it tuned
On channel 8
Wyat Earp and Big Cheyenne
Coming through the T.V.
Shooten' up the land
Um hum hmmm
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
Bam, bam, shoot em up, pow!
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
I called baby on the telephone
To tell her half of my head was gone
I just got hit by a great big brick
She says, "Thanks for reminding me it's time for Maverick!"
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
Bam, bam, shoot em up, pow!
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
Well got the rollers and Old Cochise
Jim Hardie, Jim Bowie, and Sugarfoot
They all have gun
And will travel
Give me back my boots and saddle
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
Bam,bam shoot em up,pow!
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
Here's the story of the circled wagon train McCoy
A broken arrow has broken my heart
with respect his gun
Hogtied my baby and the fight was won
Um, hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
Bam,bam shoot em up,pow!
Um hum humm
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
My baby loves the western movies
Mike Dolan
My great aunt gave me my first cassette to call my own when I was 5 years old. It was called Rock n Roll 50s. The 1rst three songs were Whole Lotta Shakin, Johnny B Goode, and LaBAmba. This song was side 2. I became obsessed and learned everything I heard on my first real cassette to call my own. I'm 38 years old and my aunt Red is long passed, but I've had a decent musical career for a while, all because of my aunt and this tape. These songs bring tears to my eyes remembering finding the magic of music for the first time. Timeless. Thanks for this. 🤘✌
Joe H
Absolutely LOVE these guys! Such talent . Wow... just wow.
Jerry Coward
Oh my God this kills me it just came into my head the other day when I was exercising! I don't think I've heard it since I was 9 years old I was just a kid and my big sisters were listening to all the good stuff that brought me up. This is really good stuff I wish they still did it!
Chris Romero
I wish they played this kinda music everyday
Jason Stout
Just open YouTube every day and they will!
GOLDBAND45rpm
Buy yourself an amplifier,record player and a couple of speakers and start to collect the original music on vinyl.There is a lot out there and easy to find!
Timothy Dirig
You Got That Right ✅👏👌💯percent awesome music 🎶
SmilingIbis
The radio waves are traveling through space right now. If you hurry, you might catch them and be where you can listen forever!
INME
Try the 424 song list of "Absolute Perfection Favorites" Guaranteed to bring tears and laughter. Absolute Perfection has millions of songs on tillions of lists or is it the other way around? Try God's Favorite Performances for rare and great music from 45s.
Les Evenchick
60 yrs ago I loved this song and still do.