"Elvira" | ||||
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Single by Dallas Frazier | ||||
from the album Elvira | ||||
B-side | "That Ain't No Stuff" | |||
Released | June 3, 1966 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 2:30 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dallas Frazier | |||
Producer(s) | Marvin Hughes | |||
Dallas Frazier singles chronology | ||||
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"Elvira" is a song written and originally recorded by Dallas Frazier in 1966 on his album of the same name. Though a minor hit for Frazier at the time of release, the song became a bigger and much more famous country and pop hit by the Oak Ridge Boys in 1981. "Elvira" is now considered one of the Oak Ridge Boys' signature songs.
Songwriter Dallas Frazier wrote "Elvira" in 1966 and included it as the title track of an album he released that year. The title of the song was inspired not by the name of a woman, but by the name of a street in East Nashville, Tennessee. [1] The song's chorus bears a resemblance to the song "Searchin" written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and recorded famously by the Coasters.
Frazier's version peaked at No. 72 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a top 40 hit in Canada, reaching No. 27. [2] A number of other artists recorded the song through the years with varying degrees of success, most notably Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. [3] Rogers' version appeared on the album Something's Burning , which reached the top 30 of the Billboard 200. In 1978, alternative country recording artist Rodney Crowell recorded his cover of "Elvira" (with "Ashes by Now" on the B-side). [4] Crowell's version hit No. 95 on Billboard's country chart. [3]
"Elvira" | ||||
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Single by Rodney Crowell | ||||
from the album Ain't Living Long Like This | ||||
B-side | "Ashes by Now" | |||
Released | August 1978 | |||
Genre | Country | |||
Length | 3:30 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Dallas Frazier | |||
Producer(s) | Brian Ahern | |||
Rodney Crowell singles chronology | ||||
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In 1978, twelve years after Frazier's original version, country singer Rodney Crowell covered the song and released it as his debut single on Warner Bros. Nashville and Reprise Records, and later appearing on his debut studio album Ain't Living Long Like This . Crowell's version peaked at No. 95 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. [3] Crowell's version also served as an inspiration for the Oak Ridge Boys' version. [3]
"Elvira" | ||||
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Single by the Oak Ridge Boys | ||||
from the album Fancy Free | ||||
B-side | "A Woman Like You" | |||
Released | March 1981 (U.S.) | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Studio | Woodland (Nashville, Tennessee) [5] [6] | |||
Genre | Country pop [7] | |||
Length | 3:45 (album version) 2:39 (single edit) | |||
Label | MCA | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dallas Frazier | |||
Producer(s) | Ron Chancey | |||
The Oak Ridge Boys singles chronology | ||||
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The Oak Ridge Boys, who were fans of Rodney Crowell's version of "Elvira", [3] decided to include the song on their 1981 album Fancy Free . [8] Duane Allen said when Frazier played the song on WSM (AM) in 1966 "I heard it once and never forgot it. That's when you know a song is a hit." [9] Their rendition featured Joe Bonsall on lead vocals, [8] as well as bass singer Richard Sterban's on backing vocals for the chorus ("Giddyup, ba oom, papa oom, papa mow mow"), which producer Ron Chancey of MCA Records suggested. Allen said, ""We wanted 'Elvira' to be a summer record for families of four .... Mom's singing the verses, the kids sing the 'giddy up' hook, and dad comes in with the 'oom papa' chorus. It's the best planning we ever did." [9] "Elvira" quickly climbed the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and over Memorial Day weekend it became the group's fourth number one country hit. It was also their biggest pop hit, reaching number one on the Cashbox Top 100 on August 1, [10] and peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 that July and August.
"Elvira" was certified platinum for sales of two million units by the Recording Industry Association of America, a distinction for a country song that for years it shared only with "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
In 1982 at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards, "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys won the Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. [11]
The single version fades out after the first key change, more than a minute earlier than the album version (which features two more key changes and "oom pa-pa mow mow" choruses).
The group has re-recorded the song several times since its original release.
In 2009, a live version was released on the group's A Gospel Journey DVD and CD. This version includes a guest appearance from Tim Duncan on bass vocals for one line.
In 2011, in recognition of the 30th anniversary of the group's original recording, a new version was recorded and released on It's Only Natural, an album released exclusively through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The new version was produced by the original's producer, Ron Chancey.
Also in 2011, a version was recorded with the Dukes of Dixieland for their When Country Meets Dixie album.
Another live version was released on the Oak Ridge Boys' 2014 live album, Boys Night Out.
In 2015, the Oak Ridge Boys recorded the song with a cappella group Home Free on their album Country Evolution . [12]
In 2017, the group recorded a "live-in-the-studio" version with Blake Shelton as a Spotify exclusive release.
In 2018, the group wrote a variation of "Elvira", in collaboration with the Tennessee Titans, named "Titans Code of Conduct". [13] Although the lyrics were drastically changed, the melody stays the same.
Weekly charts | Year-end charts |
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 [14] | 72 |
Canadian RPM Top Singles | 27 |
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [15] | 95 |
The Oak Ridge Boys
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The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Since 2024, the group consists of Duane Allen, Ben James, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban. The group was founded in 1943 as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was changed to the Oak Ridge Boys in the early 1960s, and they remained a gospel group until the mid-1970s, when they changed their image and concentrated on country music.
Rodney Crowell is an American musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music. Crowell has had five number one singles on Hot Country Songs, all from his 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt. He has also written songs and produced for other artists.
The Hollywood Argyles were an American musical ensemble, assembled for studio recordings by the producer and songwriter Kim Fowley and his friend and fellow musician Gary S. Paxton. They had a US number one hit record, "Alley Oop", in 1960.
"Surfin' Bird" is a song performed by American surf rock band the Trashmen, containing the repetitive lyric "the bird is the word". It has been covered many times. It is a combination of two R&B hits by the Rivingtons: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" and "The Bird's the Word".
"Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" is a novelty nonsensical doo-wop song by the Rivingtons in 1962. It peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 35 on the Cashbox charts. The band released two similar follow-up songs over the next several months, "Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow " and "The Bird's the Word".
"(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I" is a popular song written by Bill Trader and published in 1952. Recorded as a single by Hank Snow it peaked at number four on the US country charts early in 1953.
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American musical group. Originally a gospel quartet, The Oak Ridge Boys switched their focus to secular country music in the mid-1970s, releasing a string of hit albums and singles that lasted into the early 1990s. Their discography comprises thirty-one studio albums and fifty-six singles. Their highest-selling album is 1981's Fancy Free, which is certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Dallas Frazier was an American country musician and songwriter who had success in the 1950s and 1960s.
"Lovin' All Night" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Rodney Crowell. It was released in March 1992 as the first single from his album Life Is Messy. The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart.
"Please Remember Me" is a song co-written by American country music artist Rodney Crowell with lyricist Will Jennings. Originally recorded by Crowell for his 1995 album Jewel of the South, his version was released as its lead single and peaked at number 69 on the Billboard country chart in early June.
Ain't Living Long Like This is the debut studio album by American country music singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, released in 1978 by Warner Bros. Records. It failed to enter the Top Country Albums chart. The songs, "Elvira", "Song for the Life" and "(Now and Then, There's) A Fool Such as I" were released as singles but they all failed to chart within the top 40. Despite this, Ain't Living Long Like This is considered one of Crowell's best and most influential albums. Brett Hartenbach of Allmusic says it "not only showcases his songwriting prowess, but also his ability to deliver a song, whether it's one of his own or the work of another writer". Most of the songs on this album were later covered by other artists including The Oak Ridge Boys and Alan Jackson. When the album was re-released in 2002 the font on the cover was enlarged to make it more legible.
But What Will the Neighbors Think is the second studio album by American country music artist Rodney Crowell. It was released in 1980 by Warner Bros. Records. It reached #64 on the Top Country Albums chart and #155 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The songs, "Ashes by Now", "Ain't No Money" and "Here Come the 80's" were released as singles. "Ashes by Now" only reached #78 on the country charts and #37 on the Billboard Hot 100 while the other two singles failed to chart. This album has more of a rock & roll influence than Crowell's debut, Ain't Living Long Like This. The album was rereleased on compact disc in 2005.
"Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight" is a song written by Rodney Crowell and Donivan Cowart. The song was initially covered by Emmylou Harris, who included it on her 1978 Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town album.
"I Ain't Living Long Like This" is a song written by Rodney Crowell that was first recorded by Gary Stewart on his 1977 album Your Place or Mine. Emmylou Harris then recorded the song for her 1978 album, Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. Crowell released his version as well in 1978 on his debut album Ain't Living Long Like This.
"American Made" is a song written by Bob DiPiero and Pat McManus, and recorded by American country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. It was released in February 1983 as the first single and title track from the album American Made. The song was The Oak Ridge Boys' seventh number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the country chart. "American Made was also one of their biggest cross-over hits peaking at number seventy-two on the Hot 100.
"I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes" is a song written and originally recorded by Randy VanWarmer on his 1981 album Beat of Love. It was later covered by American country music group The Oak Ridge Boys in 1984, released as the second single from their album Deliver. The song was The Oak Ridge Boys' ninth number one on the country chart. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of twelve weeks on the country chart.
"Ashes by Now" is a song written by Rodney Crowell. It has since been recorded several times by various musical artists in the country music format. The song was first recorded by Crowell himself, eventually releasing it as a single in 1980.
"Lucky Moon" is a song written by Doug Johnson and Mark Wright and recorded by American country music group The Oak Ridge Boys. It was released in March 1991 as the first single from the album Unstoppable. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It was the group's last Top 10 hit.
"Operator, Operator" is a country music song co-written and recorded by Larry Willoughby, a cousin of country music singer Rodney Crowell, and Janet Willoughby. He released the song in 1983 from the album Building Bridges, and took it to number 65 on the Hot Country Songs charts. The Oak Ridge Boys also recorded it under the original title, as the b-side to their 1983 single "Love Song".
"Dream On" is a song written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. In 1974, The Righteous Brothers had a hit version, reaching No. 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 6 on the U.S. and Canadian Adult Contemporary charts. Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield alternate lead vocals.
Works cited