Once Poole had left, and after a couple of near misses, rhythm guitarist and keyboard player Alan Blakely took over leadership of the group, and Len 'Chip' Hawkes (father of 1990s hitmaker Chesney Hawkes) replaced bassist Alan Howard. They started an even more successful hit run in 1967 with Cat Stevens' “Here Comes My Baby”; “Suddenly You Love Me”, “Hello World”, and “My Little Lady”, and their number-one recording of an old Four Seasons' B-side “Silence Is Golden”. Both this last single and “Here Comes My Baby” also entered the U.S. Top Twenty. All members shared vocals, though most of the songs featured either Hawkes or drummer Dave Munden as the lead singer. Guitarist Ricky West sang lead vocal on "Silence Is Golden". Their regular hits were accompanied by frequent appearances on BBC's Top of the Pops television programme. Their songs were popular with younger music fans and parents rather than rock music fans. Altogether, without Poole the group had nine UK Top Twenty hits.
“Me and My Life” was a hit in 1970, but the group did themselves no favours when an interview in the weekly paper Melody Maker quoted them as calling the fans who had bought their earlier singles 'silly suckers'. Their album Master failed to sell well, and they had no British hits after "Hello Buddy" in 1971.
After the hits
Their music is still available on CD, and they quite often play concerts and are part of the pop-revival shows that constantly tour the UK. Their line-up changed several times from 1972 onwards, with Munden remaining the only constant member. Hawkes pursued a solo career for a while, and Blakely produced records for other acts, including the Rubettes and Mungo Jerry. In 1983 the original quartet reformed and narrowly missed the charts with their cover version of the Europop hit "Words".
As a soloist, Poole failed to chart with subsequent records, but pursued a successful cabaret career. In 1996 his daughters Karen and Shellie hit the charts as post-Alanis Morissette popsters Alisha's Attic. Blakely died from cancer in June 1996, leaving Munden and West to continue in concert with newer recruits Dave Fryar (bass) and Joe Gillingham (keyboards). In 2005 Fryar was replaced by Jeff Brown.
[edit]
The Class Of 64
In April 2004, at the request of The Animals who were about to do their 40th anniversary tour, Hawkes was asked to form a band to tour with The Animals. This he did, bringing together a true supergroup also including Mick Avory (ex-The Kinks), Eric Haydock (ex-The Hollies), who have teamed up to perform as The Class of 64, also featuring guitarists, Telecaster Ted Tomlin and Graham Pollock. The band have toured around the world, recorded an album of past band hits and a new single.
Alley Oop
The Tremeloes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lived 'way back a long time ago (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He dont eat nothin' but a bear cat stew (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Well this cat's name is-a alley oop (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He got a chauffeur that's a genuwine dinosawruh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
And he can knuckle your head before you count to fawruh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He got a big ugly club and a head fulla hairuh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Like great big lions and grizzly bearuhs (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
(Alley oop) he's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley oop) wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley oop) he's the king of the jungle jive
(Look at that cave man go!)
He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs off of trees (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Knockin' great big monstahs dead on their knees (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
The cats don't bug him 'causethey know bettah (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
'Cause he's a mean motah scootah and a bad go-gettah (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
(Alley oop) he's the toughest man there is alive
(Alley oop) wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
(Alley oop) he's the king of the jungle jive
(Look at that cave man go!)
Thair he goes, look at that cave man go
He sure is hip ain't he?
Like what's happening?
He's too much
Ride, daddy, ride
Hi-yo dinosawruh
Ride, daddy, ride
Get 'em, man
Like, hipsville
The Tremeloes's song "Alley Oop" is a tribute to the titular character, a man from a comic strip who lived in prehistoric times. The song describes his appearance, abilities and adventures with vivid, energetic lyrics. Alley Oop is portrayed as a tough, fearless man with a club and plenty of hair, befriended by a loyal dinosaur who serves as his chauffeur. He is so strong that he can knock out an opponent before they can count to four, and so agile that he can traverse the jungle by tearing limbs off of trees. Despite his wildness, the cats in the jungle don't mess with Alley Oop because they know better. As the song progresses, the singer praises Alley Oop's toughness, daring, and rhythm, calling him "the king of the jungle jive" and "too much". The song ends with an upbeat "ride, daddy, ride" and "hipsville" chant, encouraging listeners to join Alley Oop on his wild ride.
"Alley Oop" was written by Dallas Frazier and performed by several artists, including The Hollywood Argyles and The Beach Boys. However, The Tremeloes's version is one of the most popular and memorable. The song was released in 1960 and quickly climbed the UK Singles Chart, reaching the top spot for one week in August. It also reached the top 40 in the US, where it became The Tremeloes's highest-charting single. The song's catchy, upbeat melody, as well as its fun, imaginative lyrics, made it a favorite among rock-and-roll enthusiasts, and it is still played and covered today.
Line by Line Meaning
Theres a man in the funny papers we all know (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
There's a well-known character in comics that we are all aware of.
He lived 'way back a long time ago (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
The character Alley Oop lived in the distant past.
He dont eat nothin' but a bear cat stew (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Alley Oop sustains himself on a diet solely consisting of bear cat stew.
Well this cat's name is-a alley oop (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
The name of this character is Alley Oop.
He got a chauffeur that's a genuwine dinosawruh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He is accompanied around by a genuine dinosaur that serves as his chauffeur.
And he can knuckle your head before you count to fawruh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He can quickly knock someone's head with his fists before they can finish counting to four.
He got a big ugly club and a head fulla hairuh (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Aside from his hairy head, Alley Oop is also equipped with a large and unappealing club.
Like great big lions and grizzly bearuhs (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Alley Oop is as strong and fierce as big lions and grizzly bears.
(Alley oop) he's the toughest man there is alive
Alley Oop is hailed as the toughest person to ever live.
(Alley oop) wearin' clothes from a wildcat's hide
His clothing is made of the hide of wildcats.
(Alley oop) he's the king of the jungle jive
He is considered the undisputed champion of jungle maneuvers.
(Look at that cave man go!)
Alley Oop's physical prowess is impressive to all observers.
He rides through the jungle tearin' limbs off of trees (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Alley Oop travels through the jungle and easily tears off tree limbs in his path.
Knockin' great big monstahs dead on their knees (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
He defeats imposing monsters with ease, knocking them to their knees.
The cats don't bug him 'causethey know bettah (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Other animals in the jungle do not bother Alley Oop, as they are aware of his abilities and strength.
'Cause he's a mean motah scootah and a bad go-gettah (alley oop, oop, oop-oop)
Alley Oop is known for his rough attitude and fierce determination.
Thair he goes, look at that cave man go
There he goes, behold the wonder that is this cave man's abilities.
He sure is hip ain't he?
He is truly cool and trendy, isn't he?
Like what's happening?
What's going on?
He's too much
He's beyond impressive.
Ride, daddy, ride
Keep on going, Alley Oop.
Hi-yo dinosawruh
The dinosaur chauffeur is also excited and moving along.
Get 'em, man
Go get them, Alley Oop.
Like, hipsville
This is truly something worth being impressed about.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Dalla Frazier
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind