About the Song
Roy Orbison, the “Big O” himself! For many of us, his name conjures up powerful emotions – his soaring vocals, his signature dark sunglasses, and a sound that perfectly captured the teenage angst and yearning of the 1950s and 60s. But before Orbison became the balladeer known for classics like “Oh, Pretty Woman” and “Crying,” he cut his teeth in the rockabilly scene, and one of his earliest hits was the infectious and energetic “Ooby Dooby”.
Released in 1956 on the legendary Sun Records, the same label that launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis, “Ooby Dooby” is a prime example of that early rock and roll sound. It’s a short, fast-paced song that bursts with youthful energy. The lyrics, though seemingly nonsensical with their repeated “ooby dooby” refrain, perfectly capture the rebellious spirit and carefree attitude of the era.
But for all its simplicity, “Ooby Dooby” is a well-crafted song. Orbison’s powerful vocals, even at this young stage in his career, already hint at the depth and emotion he would later become known for. The backing band, likely The Teen Kings with whom Orbison often performed, lays down a driving beat that’s impossible not to tap your foot to.
So, if you’re looking for a taste of a simpler time, a time of bobby socks and poodle skirts, of jukeboxes blasting in soda shops, then “Ooby Dooby” is the perfect song to take you back. It’s a reminder of the raw energy and unbridled joy that defined early rock and roll, and a testament to the talent of a young Roy Orbison who was just beginning his musical journey.
Barbara Desetto