"Ooh Poo Pah Doo"is a song written and performed byJessie Hill.It was arranged and produced byAllen Toussaint.The single reached No. 3 on theBillboardR&B chartand No. 28 on theHot 100in 1960[1]although the charts list theB-side,instrumental "Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Part II", as the hit.[2]
| "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| SinglebyJessie Hill | ||||
| B-side | "Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Part II" | |||
| Released | February 1960 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 2:20 | |||
| Label | Minit | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jessie Hill | |||
| Producer(s) | Allen Toussaint | |||
| Jessie Hillsingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Origins
edit"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" was performed by a New Orleans pianist known only as "Big Four". Reportedly Jessie Hill wrote down the melody and lyrics while hearing it live and began performing it with his own band.[3]Hill later added an intro which he said was taken fromDave Bartholomew.[4]Bartholomew himself used the intro in his song "Hey Hey".
Ike & Tina Turner versions
edit| "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1972 Spanish single | ||||
| SinglebyIke & Tina Turner | ||||
| from the albumWorkin' Together | ||||
| B-side | "I Wanna Jump" | |||
| Released | May 1971 | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:36 | |||
| Label | United Artists | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jessie Hill | |||
| Producer(s) | Ike Turner | |||
| Ike & Tina Turnersingles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Ike & Tina Turnerrecorded a live version of the song which was released as "Ooh Poop A Doo" byWarner Bros.in 1964. It was included on their 1967 albumThe Ike & Tina Turner Show – Vol. 2.They recorded a studio version of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" for their 1970 albumWorkin' Together.It was released as a single in May 1971 following their hit single "Proud Mary".[5]The single reached No. 31 on theBillboardR&B chart and No. 60 on the Hot 100 chart.[6]It peaked at No. 37 on theCash BoxTop 100 and No. 22 on Cash Box's R&B chart.
Reception
editBillboard(May 8, 1971): "The dynamic duo add a new touch to the old favorite–new lyric and performance, loaded with Hot 100 and soul chart potency. Wild vocal workout."[5]
Cash Box(May 8, 1971): "One of the regulars in LP's by blues and some top forty acts, 'Ooh Poo Pah Doo' is turned into a powerful sales single by the 'Proud Mary' duo. Riding a new peak in their career, Ike & Tina should have no problems seeing this one break R&B and T-40."[7]
Other versions
edit- Ronnie Dio & The Prophetsreleased a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.[8]
- The ShirellesandKing Curtisreleased a version of the song on their 1962 albumGive a Twist Party.[9]It was also featured on The Shirelles' 1963 albumFoolish Little Girl.
- Etta Jamesreleased a version of the song on her 1963 live albumEtta James Rocks the House.[10]
- Sandy Nelsonreleased a version of the song as theB-sideto his 1963 single "Feel So Good".[11]
- Rufus Thomasreleased a version on his 1963 albumWalking the Dog
- Freddie Fenderreleased a version of the song as a single in 1964, but it did not chart.[12]
- The Standellsreleased a version of the song on their 1964 live albumIn Person at P.J.s.[13]
- The Kingsmenreleased a version of the song on their 1964 albumThe Kingsmen Volume II[14]and on their 1966 album15 Great Hits.[15]
- The Righteous Brotherson their 1965 albumJust Once in My Life[16]
- Trini Lopezreleased a version of the song on his 1965 albumThe Rhythm & Blues Album.[17]
- Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheelsrecorded a version for their 1966 albumBreak Out.[18]
- Steve Alaimoreleased a version of the song as the B-side to his 1967 single "New Orleans".[19]It had originally been released on his 1962 albumMashed Potatoes.
- Johnny O'Keefereleased Parts 1 & 2 as the A side of a 1967 single.[20]It was a live favorite for him, especially on his TV shows, and was included in three EPs and several Anthologies.[21]
- The Cakereleased a version of the song on their 1967 albumThe Cake.[22]
- Wilson Pickettreleased a version of the song on his 1967 albumThe Wicked Pickett.[23]
- Jimmy Smithreleased a version of the song on his 1974 albumBlack Smith.[24]
- Dr. Hookreleased a version of the song on their 1981 live albumLive in the U.K.[25]
- Paul Revere & the Raidersreleased a version of the song on their 1965 albumHere They Come!.They had performed the song on the TV seriesHullaballoo.
- Tommy Ridgleyreleased a version of the song on his 1992 albumHow Long?[26]
- Taj Mahalreleased a version of the song on his 1996 albumPhantom Blues.[27]
- Steve Miller Bandreleased a version of the song on their 2010 albumBingo![28]
- Scott WalkerandThe Walker Brothersreleased a version of the song on their 2016 albumEverything Under the Sun - Osaka, Japan 1968.[29]
- Australian blues rock bandBilly Thorpe and the Aztecsrecorded a 15 minute live version of the song at the 1972Sunbury Pop Festivalfor their 1972 albumAztecs Live at Sunburythat took up all of side four.[30]
In popular culture
edit- The Shirelles' version was featured in the 1995 filmStonewall.
Chart performance
edit| Chart (1960)[1] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboardHot 100 | 28 |
| USBillboardR&B | 3 |
| Chart (1971)[6] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada(RPM) | 67 |
| USBillboardHot 100[6] | 60 |
| USBillboardR&B[6] | 31 |
| USCash BoxTop 100[31] | 37 |
| USCash BoxR&B[31] | 22 |
| USRecord WorldSingles[32] | 40 |
| USRecord WorldR&B[33] | 26 |
References
edit- ^ab"Jessie Hill," Ooh Poo Pah Doo "Chart Positions".RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Billboard Hot 100™ Week of March 28, 1960".RetrievedSeptember 4,2024.
- ^Jason Ankeny."Jessie Hill Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedSeptember 4,2024.
- ^Dave Stephens."Jessie Hill".Toppermost.RetrievedSeptember 4,2024.
- ^ab"Spotlight Singles: Top 60 Pop Spotlight"(PDF).Billboard.May 8, 1971. p. 66.
- ^abcd"Ike & Tina Turner," Ooh Poo Pah Doo "Chart Positions".Music VF, US & UK hits charts.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Singles Reviews"(PDF).Cash Box:20. May 8, 1971.
- ^"Ronnie Dio & The Prophets," Ooh Poo Pah Doo "Single Release".Discogs.24 January 1962.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"The Shirelles and King Curtis,Give a Twist Party".Discogs.1962.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Etta James,Etta James Rocks the House".Discogs.1964.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Sandy Nelson," Feel So Good "Single Release".Discogs.1963.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Freddie Fender," Ooh Poo Pah Doo "Single Release".Discogs.1964.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"The Standells,In Person at P.J.s".Discogs.September 1964.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"The Kingsmen,Volume II".Discogs.1964.RetrievedFebruary 26,2019.
- ^"The Kingsmen,15 Great Hits".Discogs.1966.RetrievedFebruary 24,2019.
- ^"Oo-Poo-Pah-Doo by The Righteous Brothers".SecondHandSongs.
- ^"Trini Lopez,The Rhythm & Blues Album".Discogs.1965.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels,Breakout".Discogs.1966.RetrievedJune 27,2020.
- ^"Steve Alaimo," New Orleans "Single Release".Discogs.1967.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Johnny O'Keefe – Ooh Poo Pah Doo (Parts 1 And 2)".Discogs.1967.Retrieved3 September2024.
- ^"Johnny O'Keefe - Ooh Poo Pah Doo (1961)".Pop Archives.RetrievedSeptember 3,2024.
- ^"The Cake,The Cake".Discogs.1967.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"The Wicked Pickett,The Cake".Discogs.1967.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Jimmy Smith,Black Smith".Discogs.1974.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Dr. Hook,Live in the U.K.".Discogs.1981.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Tommy Ridgley,How Long?".Discogs.1992.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Taj Mahal,Phantom Blues".Discogs.1996.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Steve Miller Band,Bingo!".Discogs.15 June 2010.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers,Everything Under the Sun - Osaka, Japan 1968".Discogs.RetrievedFebruary 25,2019.
- ^"Aztecs – Aztecs Live! At Sunbury".Discogs.1972.RetrievedSeptember 25,2021.
- ^ab"Cash Box Top 100 / Top 60 In R&B Locations"(PDF).Cash Box:4, 29. June 19, 1971.
- ^"The Singles Chart"(PDF).Record World:29. June 19, 1971.
- ^"The R&B Singles Chart"(PDF).Record World:38. June 19, 1971.