(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
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 sing about the popular dance craze of the early 60s in their hit song "Wah Watusi." The song encourages listeners to join in on the fun and take a chance with this dance. The catchy chorus features a unique blend of a chanting "wah-wah-a-watusi" and a call and response "shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh" that adds to the playfulness of the song.
The lyrics suggest that dancing the twist doesn't lead to kissing, as dancers are always far apart. However, the Watusi dance, made for romance, is the perfect opportunity to hold someone like a lover should. The Watusi is so good that the singer just has to fall in love with their partner. The song seems to be an invitation to enjoy the freedom of dance and the excitement of the moment, with a clear preference for the Watusi as the dance of choice.
Line by Line Meaning
Wah-wah-a-Watusi
The song is about the Watusi dance, so this opening line is just an introduction to the theme.
Come on and take a chance and get a with this dance
The writer is inviting the listener to try the Watusi dance, implying that it's worth a shot.
Oh baby, it's the dance made for romance
The Watusi is presented as a dance that's perfect for couples, i.e., a romantic dance.
(Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
These sound effects don't have any meaning. They're there for musical effect or to create an atmosphere.
Baby, baby, when you do the twist
The twist is another dance that was popular at the time. The writer is saying that when you dance the twist, you don't get physically close to your partner to kiss them.
Never, never do you get yourself kissed
Reinforcing the point above: When you twist, you'll never be close enough to the person you're dancing with to kiss.
'Cause you're always dancing far apart
The twist requires you to keep some distance between you and your partner, hence this line.
Watusi girl is a really smart
This line doesn't seem to have a clear meaning or purpose other than fitting in with the rhythm or meter of the song. Or it could be a reference to the Watusi dance being sophisticated rather than raunchy or crude.
Baby, baby, when you do the fly
The fly is another dance move that was popular at the time. The writer is saying that your arms flail when you dance the fly.
Your arms are wasting waving in the sky
Reinforcing the point above: Your arms move all over the place when you dance the fly.
Come on and hold me like a lover should
The writer is suggesting that if you're going to dance romantically with someone, you should hold them the way a lover would.
Watusi makes you feel so good
This line is simply saying that the Watusi is enjoyable and makes you feel good.
Wah-a-wah, wah-a-Watusi
Repeating the same opening line again, once again referring to the Watusi dance.
Yea! (Shoo-bop, shoo-bop, ahh)
Another bit of musical interlude and cheering to keep the song upbeat and fun.
Baby, baby, that's the way it goes
This line sounds like a response to a statement or a reaction to something, but it's not clear what. It could be saying that not everything works out the way you want, or that the writer is resigned to a particular course of action or situation.
Nothin' happens when you mash potatoes
Mash potatoes is another dance move, and the writer is saying that it doesn't lead to anything interesting or romantic.
I just gotta fall in love with you
The writer is saying they're smitten with someone and wants to be with them romantically.
Watusi is the dance to do
Reinforcing the song's main message: the Watusi is the perfect dance for romance and for getting close to someone.
Come on and take a chance and get-a with this dance
Repeating the opening line and inviting the listener once again to try the Watusi.
Wah, wah-a Watusi
And one more time for good measure: the Watusi dance is the centerpiece of this song, and this line is just repeating it again.
Oh baby, it's the dance made for romance
Repeating a previous line to drive home the point that the Watusi is a dance tailor-made for romantic situations.
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....!"