Oakie Boogie

"Oakie Boogie"
Also "Okie Boogie"
Song by Jack Guthrie–1947
Form Western swing
Writer(s) Johnny Tyler
Language English

"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.

Jack Guthrie's version (Capitol 341) reached #3 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 #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

  1. ↑ Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits, p. 146: "3/1/47, #3, 3, Oakie Boogie, Capitol 341.
  2. ↑ 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]."
  3. ↑ Lonergan, Hit Records, 1950-1975, p. 163,
  4. ↑ 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


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