Thank you for this upload! My beloved husband just passed away on Oct. 16th, and Wooly Bully was his favorite song, along with "House of the Rising Sun" and "Satisfaction ". I miss him so much, hearing that song really made my day. I know he's close by, watching over me. God bless you!
Strange to hear Wooly Bully called novelty. As a Rock fan, I always considered it a classic example of prime 60's Rock n Roll, on par with Louie Louie, and Tutti Frutti, Mony Mony (I see a pattern here), etc. To me, Wooly Bully and the above are some of the original 'party rock anthems'.
When “Moonlighting” was on the air, something weird happened when there was a writers strike. In the middle of an episode, cast member Curtis Armstrong put on a sultan’s turban put that single on a small record player, when Curtis began moving to the song. It was so absurd you couldn’t help but laugh. Anyone remember that? And oh yeah in the “nerds” films, Curtis was “Booger”!
This song and Little Red Riding Hood - both my uncle and dad would sing along with me to BOTH these songs because they were often on either an 8track or mixed tape I made for our road trips! I can't hear the WB song though without smiling and laughing for another reason: A friend of mine was drunk, and jumped on stage with another band and started belting this out! OMGODS! The crowed loved it and it is one of those permanent memories I cherish as much as my dad and uncles! Thank you Adam!
I can’t believe as long as I’ve been on this planet that I never knew that L7 was 60s slang for square. Thank you for still having something to teach an old slacker.
In the 60s when this song came out, the local Top 40 station would print out their top hits survey for the week and distribute it to local record stores as a flyer. On the back, they'd pick one of the current top songs and print the lyrics on the back. One week, they printed the words to "Wooly Bully". When it got to the line about "L-7", the station put "square" in parentheses as an editorial comment...
Raised in Dallas, our big 50,000 watt top 40 station KLIF, "The Mighty 11-90" also played "I Couldn't Spell #@!%" as well as "Ring Dang Doo". We all knew who was a "square" in school, yet I never knew "L7" meant "square" as well. Even when I saw the band L7 in Irvine Meadows 30 years ago they didn't mention they took that for their name. No matter how old you get, you learn something new every day.
I was 14 when Wooly Bully came out. Loved it of course. I liked Little Red Riding Hood even better. 1969 or 70, when I was stationed at Ft Sill in Lawton Oklahoma (before I left for Vietnam), Sam the Sham play at a nightclub in Lawton... I was first in line... so to speak. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks so much for your service! You might have been at Fort Sill, when my dad was there. I was born in 1968 and Dad was in the Army at the time. It’s a small world!
And your dads as well we of that lottrry draft era. A faur way to get killed. At least we had the music! Yep we will always have that thanks to all vets At all times, all wars aloy were killed. Many injuried But we had the music and what great music we recieved. Atleast God gave us rhythm and blues, silken balleds and ultimately ROCK AND ROLL! Don❤ McLeans music may have died it jis mud
@@tomaimsDad never went to Vietnam, but he felt obligated to try to go there, twice. I’m very proud of his sense of duty. Those of his generation that went, I’m also very proud of.
Just a quick anecdote, I was in a band with David A. Martin's nephew in the mid 80's, I had a busted Technics turntable that we took to his house in Garland because he was doing electronic repairs. I got to see the Gold Single for Wooly Bully above his fireplace, he was a nice guy. I never got the turntable back because he passed away in 87...true story!
Wooley Bulley! You summed it up pretty well: the silliness is what makes the song fun to listen/dance to. In 2016, my daughter and I stopped in Memphis while moving her home from Florida. The Rock and Soul museum was one of our destinations. Cool place and worth a stop. They have Sam the Sham's Indian (I believe) motorcycle on display. And you can listen to the song along with a variety of other songs from that era.
I had a friend that every time Wooly Bully came on the car radio, we had to pull over, and he would get out and would do what he called the Wooly Bully dance. It was funny as all heck. Great memories you invoked. Thank you.
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs was just plain fun. When I first heard Little Red Riding Hood, I thought it was the Stones, his vocals were so similar to Mick Jagger.
My first experience with Woolly Bully was in band in 8th or 9th grade. We played a lot of 60s songs in the 90s. Many of these songs I didn't actually hear until I could catch them online.
Great show, Prof! I loved this song in high school, as well as "Little Red Riding Hood." I never, ever thought of anything being dirty about this song and never heard hints that it was, even. I loved The Beatles first, Mamas & Papas, The Animals, etc., and I can't believe this song was #1 in 1965. Thank you!!
I remember catching them on television when I was a kid and absolutely loving their antics. The costumes and that name Sam The Sham plus his goofy lyrics made them a very fun group to follow. Loved them and no party was complete without everyone singing Wooly Bully. Thanks for the insight Professor!
I was 15 when Wooly Bully came out, but I never knew it was such a huge hit. I remember watching the show that the clip in the video was from. Thanks Professor for the best music show on the internet, and all the wonderful memories.
Born in 1937, Sam The Sham is still alive at 87! Other songs our big top 40 in Dallas KLIF 1190 played was "I Couldn't Spell !!*@!", "The Hair On My Chinny Chin Chin", and "How Do You Catch A Girl" in addition to "Ring Dang Doo" and "Ju Ju Hand".
@@pamelaroundy9814 My mom dressed me as a girl for Halloween, and told me to let them touch my boobs for more candy. We were poor on welfare, and Halloween being at the end of the month, we were out of food, so had to get ours!
Oof. I lost my mom this year and this was definitely sung and danced to in our house often. You also mentioned the Kingsmen. She said she saw them at a little hole in the wall just before Louie Louie was released. They couldn't understand a word of it, but they liked it! I miss her. ❤
In my youth, I remember dancing The Frug and The Jerk with Tree Hardy to the beat of 'Wooly Bully' at the Local Field Days! Great times, Great Music!!!
The first time I heard "Wooly Bully" was on a Molson Canadian beer commercial in the 80s. So many beer commercials during hockey games back then featuring so many songs: "All Right Now" by Free, "Bang a Gong" by T. Rex, "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner, "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet...beer commercials introduced me to so many songs as a kid (side note: I hate beer).
Moosehead beer gave out cds with their cases back in the 90s... Some great East Coast music I wouldn't know of without... side note: I like beer, just not Moosehead.
@@CasualSpud Did that CD also have "Devil with a Blue Dress On" by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels? That's another beer commercial song I forgot to mention.
Like many others in my generation (might have done), I came into "Wooly Bully" when the remake of it was included in Splash!, a film which I saw the year after it was out. As of now, 40 years later, I still associate the song (and Sam the Sham and the Pharohs) with Splash!. I had the chance to participate in covering the song live in Autumn 2007 during an ultra-brief stint playing guitar and singing in a country rock band in Indianapolis. My favorite part was how the keyboardist who sang it wasn't including any of Sam's characteristic vocalizations, leading me to interject them (despite not being the lead vocalist on the tune).
The song was also in FULL METAL JACKET and SPLASH. It’s my opinion that Kubrick chose this song because it is so emblematic of the 1960’s but also because it is a great song.
One of my favorite songs to play at weddings and outdoor events. Our trombone player Tommy handles the lead vocals, and he hams it up really well. Great song for a crowd that has been drinking for an hour or two! It always goes over like gangbusters and is easy to play, so it allows for dancer-watching, which can be lots of fun depending on who's dancing and how drunk they are. If one wanted to have a little fun at the crowd's expense, the band could gradually speed up the tempo after a minute or so, but the dance floor could get messy and folks could get hurt. On second thought, maybe not!
Great year 1965 was the year I was borne. Most of My favorite music is from 60s and 70s. Started learning to play in 78 and never stoped. Another great show there professor.
Great song, and story. One of my fun all time favorites. It used to be my little nephews favorite also, bless is soul. When ever "Wooly Bully" would play on the radio he would bob his head in time to the music. My sister would listed to the local rock and roll station and as you know that jam got played a lot. He passed away at around age 4. He never walked or talked. He was born without a gall bladder, rendering his little body jaundice all the time, eventually killing him.
It's always great to see the contributions of hispanic folks to rock music be acknowledged. There's so much there that people don't know. From Ritchie Valens to Maná, there's so much good stuff. Thanks Professor!
I always thought of a wooly mammoth when this song came on as a young child! My sisters would play a game of turning the radio off & guessing what the next song was & I remember them playing this game when we were suppose to be fishing with mom & dad up Antelope Valley outside Arco between Moore & Mackay, Idaho & they ran the battery down! Great memory! 🤠
As a kid I just thought it was about some mythical critter. It captured that feeling of FUN people had ,at one time in history. Many songs were fun, happy, people danced just from feeling good. A great song for kids of all ages. Just the band's name made the songs better, it added to the fun. I really wish Kids today could experience that magical era of happiness, friendship, safety, caring about neighbors and community. I have Grand Kids, I see their childhood. They're seldom outside unless doing chores, usually playing games in their room. My and my friends childhood were so much more active and interesting in every way. We learned how to do everything from build to repair and create. Wonderful era for sure.
I feel novelty songs do so well because listeners get tired of listening to the same kind of music over and over. Variety is the spice of life, and people want that.
On February 24th 1965, a woman named Marion Snow gave birth to her 5th child!! It happened at Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany NY!! The baby was given the name Cindy Diane Snow!! I do believe she has loved music even before she left the hospital!! She loves all kinds of music especially The Eagles, Tanya Tucker, ABBA and Vince Gill!! She's turning 60 next year and still loves music!! Thanks for sharing an awesome video about a song from a great year!! Happy Halloween!! Cindy Snow
Hatty told Matty let's don't take no chance. Let's not be L7, come and learn to dance. Wooly Bully... Wooly Bully... Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully.
The song itself and the name of the band were a perfect match, absurd and ridiculous with a party vibe. Never knew the "watch it now, watch it now" was an echo to a prior recording, that's why you are the professor of rock! I'm wondering if this song might have been a partial inspiration to Steve Martin's "King Tut", which had a very similar, "tongue in cheek" approach. It also had a very funky sax solo in the middle which really kicks the proceedings up a notch or two.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Although there's no question that Steve Martins' lyrics were far superior! There was some real comedy "craft" evident underneath the absurdity, whereas "Wooly Bully" was just flat out ridiculous!
Grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood in New Mexico, there was a garage band down the street that one of my friends brothers played in, I remember his brother complaining about this song not because he didn’t like it but apparently it would get requested multiple times a night and the band wanted to showcase what they could really do, I remember listening to them practice and they were actually pretty good!
I was born in 1976; there isn't a time I don't remember not listening to Sam the Sham and the Pharos. My Mom had their, The Best of Sam the Sham and the Pharos on a vinyl 12 inch record. I'd listen to it constantly; between that and the Best of Jan and Dean's 12-inch vinyl record, it was hard to tear me away from the record player! Great memories ❤. I really like his poetry and storytelling as well. Sam used to have a RUclips channel that I'd watch... don't know if he still has it... go check it out, it's very interesting. :) Thank you Professor of Rock, what an outstanding episode!!!! ❤️ 🎉😊
Always loved this song! How anyone can get something inappropriate from it baffles me. Great story about this group, and as always, thanks for the amazing info!😢
1965 spanned my 2nd half of 8th grade and my 1st half of 9th grade with a memorable summer in between. I don't think we stopped to ponder the lyrics. We just enjoyed.
A decade ago, Robert Romanus (Mike Damone himself) sat in with Baltimore based band, The Rayvns (who appeared on the Fast Times soundtrack with their own Raised on the Radio) for a cover of Wooly Bully at a Fast Times anniversary concert in VA. Nothing about Sam the Sham there, but your video reminded me of that moment in time.
I think Sam was a very innovative singer. Think about a lot of the hard rock and heavy metal vocalists throughout the decades. It was an unconventional style that threw out the rule book and just belted it out. I really love his voice.
I do enjoy these stories. A little long but that’s your style. My favorite story about these things. Was an interview with picket. Who said his dad called him the “Guy Lombardo” of Halloween. The older I get the less people know who I’m talking about.
"Wooly Bully" and "L'il Red Riding Hood" were certainly classics of the 1960's by Sam the Sham. Loved the good old days of the Top 40 as I listened to music exclusively on that AM radio station powerhouse, The Big 8, CKLW, Windsor/Detroit.
Totally gets you dancing. Texas Tornados play a great edition of Wolly Bully. Also the Harmonicats play a kick ass version of Sam's Ring Dang Do. Give the whole LP a listen! Every song by Thr Harmonicats is killer. Pro studio musicians on every track. Great review.
SO great to see Sam get some love. Even though I love his 'novelty' hits, his b-sides and deeper cuts have SO much to admire. There is a pre-MGM 45 of his version of the 1964 Jumpin' Gene Simmons hit,"Haunted House". BUT - the b-side was a moody, bluesy number, "How Does a Cheatin' Woman Feel". Promise me you'll find it, and give it a listen. Often, their b-sides were top-notch pop songs, with his "Big City Lights" being one of my desert island recordings. Straightforward, melodic, and sonically delicious. Again - MUST listen!. Thanks for the lift, as always, Prof!
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs was really big in the mid 60's. I was there listening to them on KISN radio Portland, Oregon (from the WA side of the river) and remember them so well. I still go around the house singing Ring Dang Doo which bugs my wife at times. My favorite of theirs was Little Red Riding Hood. I loved it from the very first time I heard it and it was very original, nothing like it before. That song always made me turn up the radio. I was into the bass guitar at the time and that song has a strong bass part. They were a welcome addition to all of the great English bands invading us at that time. They stood out, you couldn't ignore their music.
There was (is?) an accounting program called Lotus 1-2-3. During the 80's a competing program called Quarto came on the market. It's name was inspired by the intro of Woolly Bully.
Wow #1 song of the 1965? I would've picked maybe Mr. Tambourine Man or Satisfaction. My mom didn't do rock and roll in the mid 60's. She was after all middle-aged and conservative. But whenever that song came over the radio, she would get down and boogie to it right there in the kitchen! Would crack us kids up to see her groove with a great tune then. Now me and my friend would believe that the song Louie Louie did have the f word in it. We were 6 and 7 years of age! Always loved Wooly Bully. Great song to sing along and dance to.
For years I thought it was “let’s not be el stubborn…” L7 makes sense. I first heard Wooly Bully on the pre-credit intro to an episode of Moonlighting. I even later bought Little Red Riding Hood.
A long time favourite of mine for sure. I am a bit confused, though. Every list I've ever seen puts Satisfaction in the top slot for 1965 (year of my birth). I was happy to see Neil Diamond's Gold on the wall behind you throughout. That was one of the first LPs my family ever owned: Neil Diamond Gold, Peter, Paul and Mary - 10 years Together and Gordon Lightfoot Sit Down Young Stranger/If You Could Read My Mind. When we finally got a record player, we played them all the time.... then my brother bought the Beatles Red Album and everything changed...
I have always enjoyed novelty tracks. Wooly Bully is a good one for sure, but I think my favorite is either Purple People Eater or maybe Monster Mash. Both bangers that I have in at least 2 playlists. They're good fun. I remember playing this track on my mom's old record collection when I was a boy. She came up during the golden age of Rock-n-Roll, so she had so many great albums. I honestly don't know where they are anymore but I wish I did. Hopefully they weren't left out in the storage shed to melt in the hot Texas summer heat.
![Yeat & Quavo - 5BRAZY [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4XxnTAwyxus/mqdefault.jpg)
Poll: What is your pick for THE GREATEST NOVELTY SONG of the ROCK era?
Witch Doctor David Seville
Pacman Fever!
"King Tut" Steve Martin
Hello Muddah Hello Faddah
@@Sweet--Richard.4981 fantastic choice.
Never thought of this as anything but fun. When they did Little Red Riding Hood, that's one filled with innuendo.
...so to SPEAK! ...ha-HAAA!!
Ha!
Aowoooooo!
"Phrasing!!" - 🍸
They showed us maybe the wolf wasn’t as big and bad as it seemed after all.
Monster Mash was the best novelty song.
It was, after all, 'a graveyard smash!'🎉
Good one! Yes it is and stands up all these years.
It caught on in a flash.
Their Doing The Monster Mash!😬
I saw that on American Bandstand the first time it was Played Live!
Thank you for this upload! My beloved husband just passed away on Oct. 16th, and Wooly Bully was his favorite song, along with "House of the Rising Sun" and "Satisfaction ". I miss him so much, hearing that song really made my day. I know he's close by, watching over me. God bless you!
Great songs. May he RIP.
So very sorry for your loss
So very sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
Don't post personal stories designed to get sympathy upvotes.
Strange to hear Wooly Bully called novelty. As a Rock fan, I always considered it a classic example of prime 60's Rock n Roll, on par with Louie Louie, and Tutti Frutti, Mony Mony (I see a pattern here), etc.
To me, Wooly Bully and the above are some of the original 'party rock anthems'.
Yes, this 🤘🏼🌻
"Talk Talk", "Laugh Laugh" love these threads!
Yup.
Love It Sam The Sham. GREEEAT Song
Absolutely!!
You'll be telling us "my ding a ling" isn't about bell ringing next 😂😂 ...😮
Ha!
I already know the details.
Wait... it ISNT about bell ringing
Confused 😮
Oh I never thought this was a naughty song. I imagined a funny animal indeed! It was a good time song for me as a little kid! Thanks Professor!
....did you think that way about "S-ugarwalls", too!?? ....ha-HAAA!! >jus'kiddin'
Thanks Cheryl! I seems like any song that was not clearly understood had to be about S-E-X right?
@@ProfessorofRock ....THANK GOD! ...ha-HAAA!!
You did it again! I'm always amazed by how much info you squeeze out of a song! Great episode as always, Adam. Have an excellent day!
Thanks, you too Jill!
"Never let a lyric get in the way of a groove"~Maurice White.
EWF! Hey William!
@@ProfessorofRock i always think of that quote when the lyrics don't make any sense but the song sounds good.
You said Infectious Grooves.
My mother very much approves.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 hope youre feeling better🙏✌️
When “Moonlighting” was on the air, something weird happened when there was a writers strike. In the middle of an episode, cast member Curtis Armstrong put on a sultan’s turban put that single on a small record player, when Curtis began moving to the song. It was so absurd you couldn’t help but laugh. Anyone remember that? And oh yeah in the “nerds” films, Curtis was “Booger”!
I do... even "David" put the record on high rpm and it sounded like the chipmunks... the cocaine was cheap back then...
This song and Little Red Riding Hood - both my uncle and dad would sing along with me to BOTH these songs because they were often on either an 8track or mixed tape I made for our road trips! I can't hear the WB song though without smiling and laughing for another reason: A friend of mine was drunk, and jumped on stage with another band and started belting this out! OMGODS! The crowed loved it and it is one of those permanent memories I cherish as much as my dad and uncles!
Thank you Adam!
I can’t believe as long as I’ve been on this planet that I never knew that L7 was 60s slang for square. Thank you for still having something to teach an old slacker.
Cool!
In the 60s when this song came out, the local Top 40 station would print out their top hits survey for the week and distribute it to local record stores as a flyer. On the back, they'd pick one of the current top songs and print the lyrics on the back.
One week, they printed the words to "Wooly Bully". When it got to the line about "L-7", the station put "square" in parentheses as an editorial comment...
This was indeed an extremely far out piece of trivia.
@@actionsub
And I only recently learned that “square” was an alternate way of saying “not around”.
Raised in Dallas, our big 50,000 watt top 40 station KLIF, "The Mighty 11-90" also played "I Couldn't Spell #@!%" as well as "Ring Dang Doo". We all knew who was a "square" in school, yet I never knew "L7" meant "square" as well. Even when I saw the band L7 in Irvine Meadows 30 years ago they didn't mention they took that for their name. No matter how old you get, you learn something new every day.
I was 14 when Wooly Bully came out. Loved it of course. I liked Little Red Riding Hood even better. 1969 or 70, when I was stationed at Ft Sill in Lawton Oklahoma (before I left for Vietnam), Sam the Sham play at a nightclub in Lawton... I was first in line... so to speak. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks so much for your service! You might have been at Fort Sill, when my dad was there. I was born in 1968 and Dad was in the Army at the time. It’s a small world!
And your dads as well we of that lottrry draft era. A faur way to get killed. At least we had the music! Yep we will always have that thanks to all vets
At all times, all wars aloy were killed. Many injuried
But we had the music and what great music we recieved. Atleast God gave us rhythm and blues, silken balleds and ultimately ROCK AND ROLL! Don❤ McLeans music may have died it jis mud
Thanks for your service. My ex did 3 tours of Vietnam!! Happy both of ya made it back...he might be my ex but we had some good years together!!
@@tomaimsDad never went to Vietnam, but he felt obligated to try to go there, twice. I’m very proud of his sense of duty.
Those of his generation that went, I’m also very proud of.
"Wooly Bully" naughty? Not nearly as lascivious as their howling, drooling "LIttle Red Riding Hood"
NEVER thought you could make me get emotional talking about Wooly Bully! So glad to know more about Sam and his journey. Beautiful
Just a quick anecdote, I was in a band with David A. Martin's nephew in the mid 80's, I had a busted Technics turntable that we took to his house in Garland because he was doing electronic repairs. I got to see the Gold Single for Wooly Bully above his fireplace, he was a nice guy. I never got the turntable back because he passed away in 87...true story!
THanks!
Wooley Bulley! You summed it up pretty well: the silliness is what makes the song fun to listen/dance to. In 2016, my daughter and I stopped in Memphis while moving her home from Florida. The Rock and Soul museum was one of our destinations. Cool place and worth a stop. They have Sam the Sham's Indian (I believe) motorcycle on display. And you can listen to the song along with a variety of other songs from that era.
The chipmunk movie and the Wooly Bully scene especially has remained in my head since a kid and to see you clip it made my evening!
I had a friend that every time Wooly Bully came on the car radio, we had to pull over, and he would get out and would do what he called the Wooly Bully dance. It was funny as all heck. Great memories you invoked. Thank you.
So funny! Great memory!
Haha! I don’t know how to do that dance.
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs was just plain fun. When I first heard Little Red Riding Hood, I thought it was the Stones, his vocals were so similar to Mick Jagger.
My first experience with Woolly Bully was in band in 8th or 9th grade. We played a lot of 60s songs in the 90s. Many of these songs I didn't actually hear until I could catch them online.
Great show, Prof! I loved this song in high school, as well as "Little Red Riding Hood." I never, ever thought of anything being dirty about this song and never heard hints that it was, even. I loved The Beatles first, Mamas & Papas, The Animals, etc., and I can't believe this song was #1 in 1965. Thank you!!
I remember catching them on television when I was a kid and absolutely loving their antics. The costumes and that name Sam The Sham plus his goofy lyrics made them a very fun group to follow. Loved them and no party was complete without everyone singing Wooly Bully. Thanks for the insight Professor!
Thanks Steve!
Their whole vibe was pretty Middle Eastern!
"Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies, another novelty song, was also the number one song of the year in 1969
That's right!
Loved that song!
How is that a novelty song though? Other than it being sung by cartoon characters
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Yeah, I think we're starting to stretch the definition of novelty song.
I was 15 when Wooly Bully came out, but I never knew it was such a huge hit. I remember watching the show that the clip in the video was from. Thanks Professor for the best music show on the internet, and all the wonderful memories.
I remember hearing this song play over and over, along with "Louie, Louie" at the Roost in Cocoa Beach, Fl on the juke box. I loved 1965 music.
I actually played "Wooly Bully," just a couple weeks ago. Someone requested it out of the blue, so we jammed it on the spot. Really fun.
Born in 1937, Sam The Sham is still alive at 87! Other songs our big top 40 in Dallas KLIF 1190 played was "I Couldn't Spell !!*@!", "The Hair On My Chinny Chin Chin", and "How Do You Catch A Girl" in addition to "Ring Dang Doo" and "Ju Ju Hand".
I never thought the song was dirty. I always have thought of it as a fun song, I still sing along with the Wooly Bully and watch it parts.
1:15
“If you were a vandalizing hoodlum, you’ll love this channel”
Haha
I drove my kids to the first house they toilet papered.
@@pamelaroundy9814
To make them clean it up?
@@pamelaroundy9814
My mom dressed me as a girl for Halloween, and told me to let them touch my boobs for more candy. We were poor on welfare, and Halloween being at the end of the month, we were out of food, so had to get ours!
Oof. I lost my mom this year and this was definitely sung and danced to in our house often. You also mentioned the Kingsmen. She said she saw them at a little hole in the wall just before Louie Louie was released. They couldn't understand a word of it, but they liked it! I miss her. ❤
In my youth, I remember dancing The Frug and The Jerk with Tree Hardy to the beat of 'Wooly Bully' at the Local Field Days! Great times, Great Music!!!
My favorite 60s novelty song was Herman’s Hermits “Henry Vlll” followed by Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow”. 😊
second verse, same as the first!
The first time I heard "Wooly Bully" was on a Molson Canadian beer commercial in the 80s. So many beer commercials during hockey games back then featuring so many songs: "All Right Now" by Free, "Bang a Gong" by T. Rex, "Cold as Ice" by Foreigner, "Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet...beer commercials introduced me to so many songs as a kid (side note: I hate beer).
Very cool!
Moosehead beer gave out cds with their cases back in the 90s... Some great East Coast music I wouldn't know of without... side note: I like beer, just not Moosehead.
@@CasualSpud Did that CD also have "Devil with a Blue Dress On" by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels? That's another beer commercial song I forgot to mention.
@@marcoc8494 They were Atlantic Canadian artists..Sandbox, Big Picture, Lennie Gallant etc.. back in the "Seattle East" of the mid 90s
What does beer even taste like? Lol
I never thought of them as a one-hit wonder band. Because as far back as I could remember I always knew about this song, and Little Red Riding Hood.
Like many others in my generation (might have done), I came into "Wooly Bully" when the remake of it was included in Splash!, a film which I saw the year after it was out. As of now, 40 years later, I still associate the song (and Sam the Sham and the Pharohs) with Splash!.
I had the chance to participate in covering the song live in Autumn 2007 during an ultra-brief stint playing guitar and singing in a country rock band in Indianapolis. My favorite part was how the keyboardist who sang it wasn't including any of Sam's characteristic vocalizations, leading me to interject them (despite not being the lead vocalist on the tune).
Thanks for sharing Eric!
And how do you think you did making the noises?
I think I made the right ones, @xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980.
I'm not going to make fun of the Professor's shirt today because he played a little bit of my favorite Beach Boys song.
Beach Boys always earns a bit of amnesty.
Maybe he's picking up some money on the side as a Magic Mike
😂
Warrant was/is awesome.
that shirt ROCkS!! 🤘
I like the way Sean Penn jump on the floor next to the band on fast times at Richmond high and starts singing the song with the band.
Same!
Yep!
The song was also in FULL METAL JACKET and SPLASH. It’s my opinion that Kubrick chose this song because it is so emblematic of the 1960’s but also because it is a great song.
The hit spreadsheet released in 1983 was Lotus 1-2-3. Its major competitor released in in 1988 was called Quatro Pro. Wooly Bully!!!
Happy Halloween!
Very cool that L7 used that line to name their band.
Cheers, Adam!
Thanks!
I learned that L7 is formed by your fingers and thumbs. I love that
One of my favorite songs to play at weddings and outdoor events. Our trombone player Tommy handles the lead vocals, and he hams it up really well. Great song for a crowd that has been drinking for an hour or two! It always goes over like gangbusters and is easy to play, so it allows for dancer-watching, which can be lots of fun depending on who's dancing and how drunk they are. If one wanted to have a little fun at the crowd's expense, the band could gradually speed up the tempo after a minute or so, but the dance floor could get messy and folks could get hurt. On second thought, maybe not!
Awesome!
Great year 1965 was the year I was borne. Most of My favorite music is from 60s and 70s. Started learning to play in 78 and never stoped. Another great show there professor.
Born in 1965 here also ... and most of the music I listen to came from the mid-60s to the late 70s
@JC-ec7ey cool brother rock on
Great song, and story. One of my fun all time favorites. It used to be my little nephews favorite also, bless is soul. When ever "Wooly Bully" would play on the radio he would bob his head in time to the music. My sister would listed to the local rock and roll station and as you know that jam got played a lot. He passed away at around age 4. He never walked or talked. He was born without a gall bladder, rendering his little body jaundice all the time, eventually killing him.
It's always great to see the contributions of hispanic folks to rock music be acknowledged. There's so much there that people don't know. From Ritchie Valens to Maná, there's so much good stuff. Thanks Professor!
Well said!
Almost 60 years later, and "Wooly Bully" is still being played at every wedding dance/reception.
So true!
I always thought of a wooly mammoth when this song came on as a young child! My sisters would play a game of turning the radio off & guessing what the next song was & I remember them playing this game when we were suppose to be fishing with mom & dad up Antelope Valley outside Arco between Moore & Mackay, Idaho & they ran the battery down! Great memory! 🤠
Great episode, Professor. Love your attitude.
What a cool decent man. Ive read in a couplle differnt Elvis books he would play Elvis's new years eve parties in Memphis.
I remember listening to this on the oldies radio station. My Dad loved playing around when this song came on! Good memories!
Great memory!
As a kid I just thought it was about some mythical critter. It captured that feeling of FUN people had ,at one time in history. Many songs were fun, happy, people danced just from feeling good. A great song for kids of all ages. Just the band's name made the songs better, it added to the fun. I really wish Kids today could experience that magical era of happiness, friendship, safety, caring about neighbors and community. I have Grand Kids, I see their childhood. They're seldom outside unless doing chores, usually playing games in their room. My and my friends childhood were so much more active and interesting in every way. We learned how to do everything from build to repair and create. Wonderful era for sure.
HEY BILL!
@@ProfessorofRock The way you tell the background stories really makes the feeling of the era return. What a talent you have and inherited.
You ALWAYS take me back, especially with those clips of some of my favorite songs!!
Awesome!
ALWAYS loved this! Thank you!!!😊😊😊
My dad had this record! He used to play it for me and my brother, and we’d dance around the living room to it. One of my favorite childhood memories 😊
I feel novelty songs do so well because listeners get tired of listening to the same kind of music over and over. Variety is the spice of life, and people want that.
Plus, why take everything so seriously?
One thing I learned about my mom when I was young is that this is her favorite song. It came out at the end of her senior year of high school.
I love Wooly Bully! I made up a dance routine to it while dancing alone in my room when I was nine or ten. I actually remember part of it.
LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing Whisper!
Cool! Do you like to act like a monster when you do it?
I was living in L.A. when this song came out. The whole Valley was dancing to this.
Great knowledge once again Prof! I watch all your shows, always leave a like and try to comment as often as possible. YOU ROCK PROF! ❤
On February 24th 1965, a woman named Marion Snow gave birth to her 5th child!! It happened at Brady Maternity Hospital in Albany NY!! The baby was given the name Cindy Diane Snow!! I do believe she has loved music even before she left the hospital!! She loves all kinds of music especially The Eagles, Tanya Tucker, ABBA and Vince Gill!! She's turning 60 next year and still loves music!! Thanks for sharing an awesome video about a song from a great year!! Happy Halloween!! Cindy Snow
Thanks Cindy!
My 3 year old nephew was grooving to tunes before he could crawl. Now hes writing his own jokes.
....Cindy Snow!? ...any relation to CHRISSY!? ....HA-HAA! ...I had to do it, Cin.....
Happy Early Birthday, Cindy Snow! 🎂
@@katelynneshouse2834 I second that!
I got to see Sam back around 2002 (best I can remember), what an awesome entertainer! Thanks for sharing!!💫
When I was in college, the Wooly Bully count off was my particular groups signature prelude to shots.
Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw had two big horns and a wooly jaw
Wooly Bully Wooly Bully Wooly Bully. Nothing dirty about Wooly Bully
Hatty told Matty let's don't take no chance. Let's not be L7, come and learn to dance.
Wooly Bully... Wooly Bully... Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully, Wooly Bully.
The song itself and the name of the band were a perfect match, absurd and ridiculous with a party vibe. Never knew the "watch it now, watch it now" was an echo to a prior recording, that's why you are the professor of rock! I'm wondering if this song might have been a partial inspiration to Steve Martin's "King Tut", which had a very similar, "tongue in cheek" approach. It also had a very funky sax solo in the middle which really kicks the proceedings up a notch or two.
Thanks for watching!
King Tut and Wooly Bully can definitely be considered distant cousins.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Although there's no question that Steve Martins' lyrics were far superior! There was some real comedy "craft" evident underneath the absurdity, whereas "Wooly Bully" was just flat out ridiculous!
They used it in the movie fast times at Ridgemont high 🇨🇦🍁💪🔧👍
"Hey, dude, I know that song!" Jeff Spicoli.
I have brought this song to several cover bands over the years. It ALWAYS packs the dance floor. It's just too much fun
One of my favourites..Been dancing to it since I was 14 or so..waaay back
Love it!
Grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood in New Mexico, there was a garage band down the street that one of my friends brothers played in, I remember his brother complaining about this song not because he didn’t like it but apparently it would get requested multiple times a night and the band wanted to showcase what they could really do, I remember listening to them practice and they were actually pretty good!
I was born in 1976; there isn't a time I don't remember not listening to Sam the Sham and the Pharos. My Mom had their, The Best of Sam the Sham and the Pharos on a vinyl 12 inch record. I'd listen to it constantly; between that and the Best of Jan and Dean's 12-inch vinyl record, it was hard to tear me away from the record player! Great memories ❤. I really like his poetry and storytelling as well. Sam used to have a RUclips channel that I'd watch... don't know if he still has it... go check it out, it's very interesting. :)
Thank you Professor of Rock, what an outstanding episode!!!! ❤️ 🎉😊
Always loved this song! How anyone can get something inappropriate from it baffles me. Great story about this group, and as always, thanks for the amazing info!😢
Well said!
Prof OR, one of yer best videos…….. this song transcended pop, it covered Ska, Bluebeat and early reggae…. Thank you…..
This video made my day! Such a classic.
1965 spanned my 2nd half of 8th grade and my 1st half of 9th grade with a memorable summer in between. I don't think we stopped to ponder the lyrics. We just enjoyed.
A decade ago, Robert Romanus (Mike Damone himself) sat in with Baltimore based band, The Rayvns (who appeared on the Fast Times soundtrack with their own Raised on the Radio) for a cover of Wooly Bully at a Fast Times anniversary concert in VA. Nothing about Sam the Sham there, but your video reminded me of that moment in time.
Sam the Sham has always been one of my favorites and every time Little Red Riding Hood comes on the radios cranked up and I just got to sing my song
I think Sam was a very innovative singer. Think about a lot of the hard rock and heavy metal vocalists throughout the decades. It was an unconventional style that threw out the rule book and just belted it out. I really love his voice.
Thanks!
I do enjoy these stories. A little long but that’s your style. My favorite story about these things. Was an interview with picket. Who said his dad called him the “Guy Lombardo” of Halloween. The older I get the less people know who I’m talking about.
Happy Halloween Gang. Time for another fun history from the POR.
Trick or treat
"Wooly Bully" and "L'il Red Riding Hood" were certainly classics of the 1960's by Sam the Sham. Loved the good old days of the Top 40 as I listened to music exclusively on that AM radio station powerhouse, The Big 8, CKLW, Windsor/Detroit.
Wow! I glad I stuck with this. Just watched on a whim and enjoyed it immensely. 👍
Very cool!
I've played this song with my band 100 times and I never get tired of it and I always have great fun.
Wooly Bully is fantastic!!
Totally gets you dancing. Texas Tornados play a great edition of Wolly Bully. Also the Harmonicats play a kick ass version of Sam's Ring Dang Do. Give the whole LP a listen! Every song by Thr Harmonicats is killer. Pro studio musicians on every track. Great review.
SO great to see Sam get some love. Even though I love his 'novelty' hits, his b-sides and deeper cuts have SO much to admire. There is a pre-MGM 45 of his version of the 1964 Jumpin' Gene Simmons hit,"Haunted House". BUT - the b-side was a moody, bluesy number, "How Does a Cheatin' Woman Feel". Promise me you'll find it, and give it a listen. Often, their b-sides were top-notch pop songs, with his "Big City Lights" being one of my desert island recordings. Straightforward, melodic, and sonically delicious. Again - MUST listen!.
Thanks for the lift, as always, Prof!
I always felt like he was doing an impression of Ricky Ricardo ("I Love Lucy") in this song.
Ricky told Lucy... you got some 'splaining to do... 🤔
@@gregorymoore2877 Waaaa!
Still remember a guy in my gym class 1965 at Madison Junior High in North Hollywood, CA singing this on the field while running circuits...🙂
Speaking of comedy songs, can you imagine songs by Bob Rivers being made today?
Absolutely I can. It's just that today, like back then, many stations would not play them.
Wow. Very cool 👍😎. Great background story. Thanks 👍
Hoping this one , or a upcoming poll will be “Favorite Sax/ Horn Solos of The Rock Era” 🤘
Good one!
@@ProfessorofRockI might as well start the playlist 🤣🤘
My vote Purple People Eater.
@@DC8091 Put this on your list. Al Stewart-Year Of The Cat. Phil Kenzie-alto saxophone.
Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs was really big in the mid 60's. I was there listening to them on KISN radio Portland, Oregon (from the WA side of the river) and remember them so well. I still go around the house singing Ring Dang Doo which bugs my wife at times. My favorite of theirs was Little Red Riding Hood. I loved it from the very first time I heard it and it was very original, nothing like it before. That song always made me turn up the radio. I was into the bass guitar at the time and that song has a strong bass part. They were a welcome addition to all of the great English bands invading us at that time. They stood out, you couldn't ignore their music.
There was (is?) an accounting program called Lotus 1-2-3. During the 80's a competing program called Quarto came on the market. It's name was inspired by the intro of Woolly Bully.
Holy Cow... I lived in Leesville back in '86-'87. Glad I can say it's 'Known' for something other than just Ft. Polk! Thanks, Prof!
Thanks for watching!
I love Hanging by A Moment. One of my all time faves from that decade.
Cool song.
Wow #1 song of the 1965? I would've picked maybe Mr. Tambourine Man or Satisfaction. My mom didn't do rock and roll in the mid 60's. She was after all middle-aged and conservative. But whenever that song came over the radio, she would get down and boogie to it right there in the kitchen! Would crack us kids up to see her groove with a great tune then. Now me and my friend would believe that the song Louie Louie did have the f word in it. We were 6 and 7 years of age! Always loved Wooly Bully. Great song to sing along and dance to.
For years I thought it was “let’s not be el stubborn…” L7 makes sense. I first heard Wooly Bully on the pre-credit intro to an episode of Moonlighting. I even later bought Little Red Riding Hood.
Loved the Chipmunks version from their movie.
Who doesn't?
A long time favourite of mine for sure. I am a bit confused, though. Every list I've ever seen puts Satisfaction in the top slot for 1965 (year of my birth).
I was happy to see Neil Diamond's Gold on the wall behind you throughout. That was one of the first LPs my family ever owned: Neil Diamond Gold, Peter, Paul and Mary - 10 years Together and Gordon Lightfoot Sit Down Young Stranger/If You Could Read My Mind. When we finally got a record player, we played them all the time.... then my brother bought the Beatles Red Album and everything changed...
I have always enjoyed novelty tracks. Wooly Bully is a good one for sure, but I think my favorite is either Purple People Eater or maybe Monster Mash. Both bangers that I have in at least 2 playlists. They're good fun.
I remember playing this track on my mom's old record collection when I was a boy. She came up during the golden age of Rock-n-Roll, so she had so many great albums. I honestly don't know where they are anymore but I wish I did. Hopefully they weren't left out in the storage shed to melt in the hot Texas summer heat.
I was thinking Monster Mash - maybe because it's Halloween? 🎃
My favorite memory of this song was when it was used in the movie "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".
Weird Al coulda taken this to the top ...😂
Indeed!
I have the same exact shirt. I used to hang w jani in 2005-2006 until he went back to Cali. He had a heart of gold. Rip Jani.