Ooh Poo Pah Doo

"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.

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". The single reached No. 31 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 60 on the Hot 100 chart. 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."

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."

Other versions

• Ronnie Dio & The Prophets released a version of the song as a single in 1962, but it did not chart.
• The Shirelles and King Curtis released a version of the song on their 1962 album Give a Twist Party. 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.
• Sandy Nelson released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1963 single "Feel So Good".
• 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.
• The Standells released a version of the song on their 1964 live album In Person at P.J.s.
• The Kingsmen released a version of the song on their 1964 album The Kingsmen Volume II and on their 1966 album 15 Great Hits.
• The Righteous Brothers on their 1965 album Just Once in My Life
• Trini Lopez released a version of the song on his 1965 album The Rhythm & Blues Album.
• Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels recorded a version for their 1966 album Break Out.
• Steve Alaimo released a version of the song as the B-side to his 1967 single "New Orleans". It had originally been released on his 1962 album Mashed Potatoes.
• The Cake released a version of the song on their 1967 album The Cake.
• Wilson Pickett released a version of the song on his 1967 album The Wicked Pickett.
• Jimmy Smith released a version of the song on his 1974 album Black Smith.
• Dr. Hook released a version of the song on their 1981 live album Live in the U.K.
• 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?
• Taj Mahal released a version of the song on his 1996 album Phantom Blues.
• Steve Miller Band released a version of the song on their 2010 album Bingo!
• Scott Walker and The Walker Brothers released a version of the song on their 2016 album Everything Under the Sun - Osaka, Japan 1968.
• 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.

In popular culture

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

Chart performance

References