Oakie Boogie
"Oakie Boogie" (sometimes "Okie Boogie") is a Western swing dance song written by Johnny Tyler in 1947. It is recognizable by its refrain:
When you do the Oakie Boogie, and do it Oklahoma style,
That mean old Oakie Boogie is bound to drive you wild.
| "Oakie Boogie" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Jack Guthrie | |
| Released | 1947 |
| Genre | Western swing |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Johnny Tyler |
Jack Guthrie's version (Capitol 341) reached number three on the charts in 1947[1] and is often included in the list of the first rock and roll songs. The singing of "Oakie Boogie" is the only performance by Guthrie in a film—Ernest Tubb's Hollywood Barn Dance in 1947.[2]
Ella Mae Morse also recorded a version for Capitol which reached number 23 in 1952.[3] Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.[4] Speedy West played pedal steel guitar on the recording.
The song has been recorded by many artists over the years.
References
- Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits, p. 146: "3/1/47, #3, 3, Oakie Boogie, Capitol 341.
- Pugh, Ernest Tubb, p. 120: "Tubb's good friend and 'Oklahoma Hills' star Jack Guthrie makes his only film appearance, singing 'Oakie Boogie' as a special guest toward the end [of Hollywood Barn Dance]."
- Lonergan, Hit Records, 1950-1975, p. 163,
- Levinson, September in the Rain, p. 104: "... he contacted Nelson [Riddle] to write for Ella Mae Morse. Their first endeavor together was 'Oakie Boogie,' which turned out to be a minor hit."
Bibliography
- Levinson, Peter. September in the Rain: The Life of Nelson Riddle. Billboard Books, 2001. ISBN 0-8230-7672-5
- Lonergan, David F. Hit Records, 1950-1975. Scarecrow Press, 2004. ISBN 0-8108-5129-6
- Pugh, Ronnie. Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubadour. Duke University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-8223-2190-4
- Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. Billboard Books, 2006. ISBN 0-8230-8291-1