Ooh Poo Pah Doo

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1960 single by Jessie Hill

"Ooh Poo Pah Doo" is a song written and performed by Jessie Hill. It was arranged and produced by Allen Toussaint. The single reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 28 on the Hot 100 in 1960[1] although the charts list the B-side, instrumental "Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Part II", as the hit.[2]

Origins

"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 from Dave Bartholomew.[4] Bartholomew himself used the intro in his song "Hey Hey".

Ike & Tina Turner versions

Ike & Tina Turner recorded a live version of the song which was released as "Ooh Poop A Doo" by Warner Bros. in 1964. It was included on their 1967 album The Ike & Tina Turner Show – Vol. 2. They recorded a studio version of "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" for their 1970 album Workin` Together. It was released as a single in May 1971 following their hit single "Proud Mary".[5] The single reached No. 31 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 60 on the Hot 100 chart.[6] It peaked at No. 37 on the Cash Box Top 100 and No. 22 on Cash Box`s R&B chart.

Reception

Billboard (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

• Ronnie Dio & The Prophets released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.[8]
• The Shirelles and King Curtis released a version of the song on their 1962 album Give a Twist Party.[9] It was also featured on The Shirelles` 1963 album Foolish Little Girl.
• Etta James released a version of the song on her 1963 live album Etta James Rocks the House.[10]
• Sandy Nelson released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1963 single "Feel So Good".[11]
• Rufus Thomas released a version on his 1963 album Walking the Dog
• Freddie Fender released a version of the song as a single in 1964, but it did not chart.[12]
• The Standells released a version of the song on their 1964 live album In Person at P.J.s.[13]
• The Kingsmen released a version of the song on their 1964 album The Kingsmen Volume II[14] and on their 1966 album 15 Great Hits.[15]
• Ike & Tina Turner released a live version of the song (as "Ooh Poop A Doo") in 1964, which was included on their 1967 album The Ike & Tina Turner Show – Vol. 2. A studio version of the song appeared on their 1970 album Workin` Together and was released as a single in 1971.[5] It reached No. 31 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 60 on the Hot 100 chart.[6]
• The Righteous Brothers on their 1965 album Just Once in My Life[16]
• Trini Lopez released a version of the song on his 1965 album The Rhythm & Blues Album.[17]
• Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels recorded a version for their 1966 album Break Out.[18]
• Steve Alaimo released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1967 single "New Orleans".[19] It had originally been released on his 1962 album Mashed Potatoes.
• Johnny O`Keefe released 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 Cake released a version of the song on their 1967 album The Cake.[22]
• Wilson Pickett released a version of the song on his 1967 album The Wicked Pickett.[23]
• Jimmy Smith released a version of the song on his 1974 album Black Smith.[24]
• Dr. Hook released a version of the song on their 1981 live album Live in the U.K.[25]
• Paul Revere & the Raiders released a version of the song on their 1965 album Here They Come!. They had performed the song on the TV series Hullaballoo.
• Tommy Ridgley released a version of the song on his 1992 album How Long?[26]
• Taj Mahal released a version of the song on his 1996 album Phantom Blues.[27]
• Steve Miller Band released a version of the song on their 2010 album Bingo![28]
• Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers released a version of the song on their 2016 album Everything Under the Sun - Osaka, Japan 1968.[29]
• Australian blues rock band Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs recorded a 15 minute live version of the song at the 1972 Sunbury Pop Festival for their 1972 album Aztecs Live at Sunbury that took up all of side four. [30]

In popular culture

• The Shirelles` version was featured in the 1995 film Stonewall.

Chart performance

Jessie Hill

Ike & Tina Turner