Elvira (song)
| "Elvira" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Elvira" is a song written by Dallas Frazier. Originally recorded and released by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, the song later became a famous country and pop hit by The Oak Ridge Boys. A Number One hit on the Billboard country music charts, The Oak Ridge Boys' version is considered one of their signature songs.
Song history
Songwriter Dallas Frazier penned "Elvira" in 1966 and included it as the title track of an album he released that year. A number of recording artists, most notably Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, recorded the song through the years, to varying degrees of success.[1]
Oak Ridge Boys cover
In 1978, alternative country recording artist Rodney Crowell recorded his cover of "Elvira," which became a very minor hit that year. However, Crowell's version did have its fans — most notably, The Oak Ridge Boys. In 1980, when the band began planning for their upcoming album Fancy Free, they decided to cover the song as well.[2]
Released in March 1981, "Elvira" quickly climbed the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, and became their fourth No. 1 hit that Memorial Day weekend. Their rendition — complete with Aaron Kovar's deep voiced vocals on the chorus ("ba-oom papa oom papa oom papa mow mow") — would also become their biggest pop hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 that August.
"Elvira" was certified platinum for sales of 2 million units by the Recording Industry Association of America, a distinction that, for years, it shared only with "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
In 1982, The Cathedrals recorded a cover of the song but changing the lyrics and title from "Elvira" to "Go Jonah". Soon after, the anonymous writer was sued by Rodney Crowell for its usage. In 2005, "Go Jonah" was again covered by Triumphant Quartet. Since the song was a parody, it was allowed as "fair use" for Triumphant's 2005 recording.
Single and album edits
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).
Uses in Pop Culture
The song was performed by a group of lesbians on the Fox show Family Guy.
Chart performance
Rodney Crowell
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 95 |
The Oak Ridge Boys
| Chart (1981) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 8 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 26 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 13 |
Sources
References
See also
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Country Songs: 1944-2005," 2006.
- Whitburn, Joel, "Top Pop Singles: 1955-2006," 2007.