(1) The Orlons, R&B (… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists named 'The Orlons':
(1) The Orlons, R&B (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S)
(2) The Orlons, Surf Rock (Haifa, Israel)
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(1) The Orlons consisted of lead singer Rosetta Hightower, Shirley Brickley, Marlena Davis, and Stephen Caldwell.
Before they became the Orlons, they were an all-girl quintet called Audrey and the Teenettes. They formed in the late 1950s in junior high school and consisted of Hightower, Davis, and three Brickley sisters: Shirley, Jean, and Audrey. However, after the Brickleys' mother did not permit 13-year-old Audrey to sing in certain clubs with the group, she and Jean quit, making the group a trio.
In high school, the group's three remaining members discovered fellow student Stephen Caldwell, who was lead singer of a local group called the Romeos. Impressed by him, they invited him to join the group in 1960 and named themselves the Orlons as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the friendly rivalry they had with a popular group at their high school, the Cashmeres.[1] (Orlon was a synthetic fibre widely used around that time.)
A high school friend, Dovells lead singer Len Barry, encouraged them to audition for Cameo Records at the turn of the decade. The group took his advice in the fall of 1961, but were rejected at first, although the record label eventually signed the group after two more auditions. Cameo executive Dave Appell appointed Hightower as the lead singer, and began writing songs for them.
Before rising to fame with their first national hit, "The Wah-Watusi," the group provided back-up vocals for Dee Dee Sharp's hits "Mashed Potato Time" and "Gravy (for My Mashed Potatoes)." They recorded their own cover versions of those songs for their debut album, The Wah-Watusi.
Davis and Caldwell quit the group in 1964, and were replaced by Sandy Person for about a year. A short-lived stint by Yvonne Young was followed by original Teenette, Audrey Brickley, Shirley's sister. By then, the group's popularity had waned in the United States due to misdirection of their record company, Cameo Records. They continued to perform into the late 1960s with success in the UK. They disbanded in 1968 after Hightower decided to stay in England after a tour. Hightower had (and still has) a successful career as a soloist and as an in-demand session singer, backing Joe Cocker, John Holt and other popular artists. She married record producer Ian Green.
In later years, Davis married and found work as an executive secretary, while Caldwell became president of the bus drivers' trade union in Philadelphia and served on the Philadelphia Board of Education for 25 years. In 1988, Caldwell and Davis re-formed the group with two new members and performed live on the oldies circuit until Davis's death in 1993.
On October 13, 1977, Shirley Brickley was shot to death by an intruder in her home in Philadelphia. Davis lost a battle with lung cancer on February 27, 1993 (age 48). Audrey Brickley died of acute respiratory distress syndrome on July 3, 2005 (aged 58). Steve and Jean Brickley still perform as The Orlons with two cousins.
(2) The Orions (from Haifa, Israel) play high energy instrumental surf rock'n'roll, dance or die!
Band members:
• David Miretski - Guitar
• Itai Alzaradel - Guitar
• 'Mediterranean Buddha' Ezra - Bass
• Guy Offenbach - Drums
Listen to The Orions: http://theorions.bandcamp.com/
The Orions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orionsband
The Wah Watusi
The Orlons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on and take a chance and get a with this dance
Wah-wah-a-Watusi
Oh baby, it's the dance made for romance
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Baby, baby, when you do the twist
Never, never do you get yourself kissed
'Cause you're always dancing far apart
Wah-wah-a-Watusi
Come on and take a chance and get a with this dance
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Baby, baby, when you do the fly
Your arms are wasting waving in the sky
Come on and hold me like a lover should
Watusi makes you feel so good
Wah-a-wah, wah-a-Watusi
Oh baby, it's the dance made for romance
Yea!
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Baby, baby, that's the way it goes
Nothin' happens when you mash potatoes
I just gotta fall in love with you
Watusi is the dance to do
Wah-a-wah, wah-a-Watusi
Come on and take a chance and get-a with this dance
Wah, wah-a Watusi
Oh baby, it's the dance made for romance
The Orlons's song The Wah Watusi is a fun and upbeat song that encourages listeners to dance to the popular style of the Watusi dance. The Watusi was a popular dance move in the 1960s, and this song was a love letter to the popular dance style. The lyrics suggest that the Watusi is the perfect dance for romance, unlike other popular dances of the time like the Twist or the Mash Potatoes. The singer tells the listener that the Watusi is a great way to get closer to their dancing partner as it involves holding them like a lover should. The song's lyrics suggest that embracing the Watusi dance could be the key to finding love on the dance floor.
The Watusi is a popular dance style that originated in Africa and became a sensation in the United States in the 1960s. The dance involved moving the hips and feet in rhythm to the music while incorporating a series of hand motions. The song's popularity helped to put the Watusi on the map and made it a popular dance style in the United States. The Wah Watusi was the first song by The Orlons to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number two in 1962. The song's catchy tune and upbeat lyrics made it an instant classic and a hit at dance parties across the country.
Line by Line Meaning
Wah, wah-a Watusi
The singer is introducing the dance called the Watusi.
See'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance
The singer is encouraging the listener to try the Watusi dance and enjoy it without reservation.
Oh, baby, it's the dance made-a for romance (shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
The singer is explaining that the Watusi is a perfect dance to express romantic emotions.
Baby, baby, when you do The Twist
The artist is mentioning another popular dance called The Twist.
Never, never do you get yourself kissed
The artist advises that The Twist is not a romantic dance, so it may not lead to kissing or intimacy.
'Cause you're always dancin' far apart
The singer explains that in The Twist, the dancers are always far apart, so it is not a dance for couples to get close.
The Watusi, girl, is-a really smart
The singer is praising the Watusi and suggesting that it is an intelligent choice for a dance.
Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi
The artist is repeating the introduction to the Watusi dance.
Baby, baby, when you do The Fly
The artist is mentioning another dance called The Fly.
Your arms are wasted wavin' in the sky
The artist is criticizing The Fly by saying that the dancers' arms are not being used efficiently, and the dance is wasted effort.
Come on and hold me like a lover should
The singer is suggesting that the Watusi make the couple hold each other in a more intimate way, like lovers do.
The Watusi makes you feel so good
The artist is explaining that dancing the Watusi is a positive experience and it feels good.
Oh, baby, it's the dance made-a for romance (shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
The singer repeats that the Watusi is perfect for romantic feelings.
Yay!!
The singer expresses excitement and enthusiasm for the Watusi dance.
Baby, baby, that's the way it goes
The singer is acknowledging that certain dances do not lead to romance, but it's just a fact of life.
Nothing happens when you Mash Potatoes
The artist is saying that the dance called Mash Potatoes is not a romantic or emotional dance, and nothing significant happens during it.
I just gotta fall in love with you
The artist acknowledges that love is important to them and is searching for it.
Watusi is the dance to do
The singer concludes that the Watusi is the best dance for romance and joy.
Wah-a, wah, wah-a Watusi
The singer repeats the introduction to the Watusi dance for the last time.
See'mon and take a chance and get-a with this dance
The artist's final encouragement to try the Watusi dance and enjoy it fully.
Wah, wah-a Watusi
The artist concludes with a final repetition of the introduction to the Watusi dance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kal Mann, Dave Appell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnmoore6190
60 years ago I danced with the cutest girl I ever saw to this tune... Can still see her face :squnchy eyes and button nose...
@evanevans5428
it was me bro. It was a beautiful night n shit. Your peg leg glistening in the moon light made my lazy eye wake up.
@rhondaf2214
That’s such a cute memory!
@terr777
Some dances you never forget.
@zach4627
No it was me!!!!
@tammyhedge3489
Thats so beautiful.. Thank u for sharing
@maryomnes9445
This song reminds me of growing up in the 50's and 60's. Good memories growing up in a house 🏡 filled with love. My parents are gone now but I can remember them always makeing sure we were cared for. RIP MOM AND DAD YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART. I LOVE YOU BOTH VERY MUCH. ❤❤❤😊😊😊
@edwardbranca54
This song, and the other music of the early 1960s., helped me get through a very unhappy and bleak time in my life.
@carolynking1625
Wow! These songs make me imagine a time where there was no unhappiness or bleakness. Just the special Happy Days of sock hops, malt shops, drive in movies and perfect families I know is nonsense but can't stop the feeling then being.
@marknorthwest93
I never get tired of this classic slice of 60's rockin' soul by the Orlons. "Baby, baby, that's the way it goes, Nothin' happens when you mash potatoes....!"