The Rivingtons were a doo-wop group noted for being one of the most loud an… Read Full Bio ↴The Rivingtons were a doo-wop group noted for being one of the most loud and raucous of the genre. Their first hit, "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" (1962), like many such songs, began with the bass chanting nonsense syllables (in this case the title), followed by the tenor singing over repetitions of it. "Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow", an even more baroque rewrite of the theme, failed to sell, but they returned to the charts the following year with the similar "The Bird's The Word".

Previously the Rivingtons had been known as The Sharps and had already tasted chart action via Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1957, after which they appeared on several Duane Eddy recordings when any extraneous sounds of rebel yells were required.

After the two hit singles, the Rivingtons struggled till the mid 60s to find another hit but after the Columbia single "A Rose Growing In The Ruins" flopped they called it a day. However, the two hits entered a life of their own, courtesy of a Minnesota group called The Trashmen, who recorded a song made up from the nonsense syllables, calling it Surfin' Bird. The band cut the disc over a record shop and passed it off as their own work because it was a medley of the choruses without the verses. However the Rivingtons' management reported it to their lawyers and the group were ordered to add the surnames of the Rivingtons to the credits, having the effect of causing the first pressings without the Rivingtons credit to become collectors items.

After the publicity surrounding the allegations in Billboard the Trashmen had to share the writing credits on not only this recording but a later one as a sign of good faith. Surfin' Bird itself was revived in the 70s by the Ramones and the Cramps.

Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow
The Rivingtons Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Papa had a sound going through the land
He finally found himself a woman who could understand
But when you block(?) everything you know how
Then you gon' see Mama Oom Mow Mow
Mama Oom
Mama Oom Mow Mow
They got a thing going and about to grow
How big it'll get we'll never never know

They talk like folks from outer space
I never heard nothing like it in the human race
Mama Oom
Mama Oom Mow Mow
And a little little little bit I know
That Papa Oom Mow Mow had a Mammy-oh(?)
Everywhere he'd go she was by his side
They had the kind of love you could never hide

Papa Ooh
And Mama Oom Mow Mow

Overall Meaning

The Rivingtons's song Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow is a lively, energetic track that tells the story of a man named Papa and a woman he has found who truly understands him. The lyrics describe how their love and affection for one another has created a unique sound that can be heard throughout the land. The song goes on to talk about the couple's unstoppable bond and how nobody can stand in their way. The chorus of "Mama Oom" and "Mama Oom Mow Mow" is catchy and repetitive, making the song a fun sing-along track.

The song's lyrics are full of playful and nonsensical words like "Oom" and "Mow Mow" that add to the track's upbeat tone. The verses talk about the couple's love but also allude to their strange way of speaking, which is described as sounding like "folks from outer space." This adds to the song's overall theme of the couple being unique and unstoppable in their love. The track's fast-paced rhythm and exciting guitar solos complement the lyrics perfectly, making it a classic feel-good song that is hard not to dance along to.

Line by Line Meaning

Papa had a sound going through the land
The father had a distinct style of music that was known throughout the area

He finally found himself a woman who could understand
He met a woman who appreciated his music and shared his passion for it

But when you block(?) everything you know how
When they let go of inhibitions and fully embrace the music and each other

Then you gon' see Mama Oom Mow Mow
Their love and passion for music will be on full display

They got a thing going and about to grow
Their musical collaboration is becoming stronger and more influential

How big it'll get we'll never never know
Their success and impact on the music world cannot be predicted

They talk like folks from outer space
Their unique style of music and communication is so different and innovative it's like they're from another planet

I never heard nothing like it in the human race
Their music and love for it is unlike anything they've ever heard

And a little little little bit I know
Despite not knowing much about their love and collaboration, it's still clear they have something special

That Papa Oom Mow Mow had a Mammy-oh(?)
The father had a female companion who was always there for him and supported his music

Everywhere he'd go she was by his side
She followed him wherever he went, always showing support for his music

They had the kind of love you could never hide
Their love for each other and for music was so strong it was always visible

Papa Ooh
An expression of admiration and respect for the father's musical talent

And Mama Oom Mow Mow
An acknowledgement of the mother's support for the father and their shared love of music

Writer(s): Harris, Wilson Jr, Frazier Copyright: Atlantic Music Corporation

Contributed by Jackson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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