Surfin' Bird
Encyclopedia
"Surfin' Bird" is a song performed by the American surf rock band The Trashmen
; it is also the name of the album that featured this hit single. It was released in 1963 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
. It is a combination of two R&B hits by The Rivingtons
: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
" and "The Bird's the Word".
followed up their 1962 Billboard Hot 100
hit Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
with the similar The Bird's the Word in 1963. The Trashmen had not heard this version but saw a band called The Sorensen Brothers playing it. They decided to play the song that night at their own gig. During this first performance, drummer and vocalist Steve Wahrer stopped playing and ad-libbed the "Surfin' Bird" middle section. Despite not knowing "The Bird's the Word" was a Rivingtons song, the similarity to "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" was obvious and The Trashmen added the chorus to the end of their new track.
A local disc jockey, Bill Diehl, was at the gig and convinced the band to record the track. It was recorded at Kay Bank Studios
in Minneapolis. Diehl entered it into a local battle of the bands competition and it won. It was then sent to a battle of the bands competition in Chicago
where it also won. This led to the group being signed to Garrett Records with the single being quickly released. It reportedly sold 30,000 copies in its first weekend before going on to national success, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
campaign in the UK to make the single the Christmas number one single and prevent The X Factor
winner Matt Cardle
's song, When We Collide a cover of the Biffy Clyro
track Many of Horror
, from reaching the number one spot. Within the first 48 hours, Surfin' Bird hit the Top 10 in downloads. Surfin' Bird charted at number 3, beaten by Cardle's single and What's My Name?
by Rihanna
featuring Drake
; nonetheless, it was one of the highest charting of numerous anti-X Factor campaigns and the most successful of 2010 beating John Cage
's 4′33″, Biffy Clyro's original version of Many of Horror and Ellie Goulding
's version of Your Song
, which was used in the Christmas themed advert for John Lewis
.
Though not technically a cover, Orbital
sampled heavily from the original version on "Tension" from their 2001 album The Altogether
.
Also, the song "Motherfucker
" by the Dwarves is loosely based on "Surfin' Bird".
The Trashmen
The Trashmen are a rock and roll band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's original lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar...
; it is also the name of the album that featured this hit single. It was released in 1963 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It is a combination of two R&B hits by The Rivingtons
The Rivingtons
The Rivingtons were a 1960s doo-wop group. The group members were:lead vocalist Carl White , tenor Al Frazier , baritone Sonny Harris, and bass singer Turner "Rocky" Wilson Jr.. Frazier was replaced by Madero White for a period in the late 1970s.-History:Their first hit was "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow"...
: "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
"Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" is a 1962 novelty nonsensical doo-wop song by The Rivingtons. The song peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #35 on the Cashbox charts.-Cover versions:...
" and "The Bird's the Word".
History
The RivingtonsThe Rivingtons
The Rivingtons were a 1960s doo-wop group. The group members were:lead vocalist Carl White , tenor Al Frazier , baritone Sonny Harris, and bass singer Turner "Rocky" Wilson Jr.. Frazier was replaced by Madero White for a period in the late 1970s.-History:Their first hit was "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow"...
followed up their 1962 Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow
"Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" is a 1962 novelty nonsensical doo-wop song by The Rivingtons. The song peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #35 on the Cashbox charts.-Cover versions:...
with the similar The Bird's the Word in 1963. The Trashmen had not heard this version but saw a band called The Sorensen Brothers playing it. They decided to play the song that night at their own gig. During this first performance, drummer and vocalist Steve Wahrer stopped playing and ad-libbed the "Surfin' Bird" middle section. Despite not knowing "The Bird's the Word" was a Rivingtons song, the similarity to "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" was obvious and The Trashmen added the chorus to the end of their new track.
A local disc jockey, Bill Diehl, was at the gig and convinced the band to record the track. It was recorded at Kay Bank Studios
Kay Bank Studios
Kay Bank Studios was a recording studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 2541 Nicollet Avenue. Daniel Heilicher and his brother Amos started in a business together in the '30s, distributing and stocking jukeboxes...
in Minneapolis. Diehl entered it into a local battle of the bands competition and it won. It was then sent to a battle of the bands competition in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
where it also won. This led to the group being signed to Garrett Records with the single being quickly released. It reportedly sold 30,000 copies in its first weekend before going on to national success, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
Christmas Number One Single Campaign (2010)
In 2010 the song became part of a FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
campaign in the UK to make the single the Christmas number one single and prevent The X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
winner Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle
Matthew Sheridan "Matt" Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. He received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music by winning, and his debut number one single "When We Collide" was released immediately...
's song, When We Collide a cover of the Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
track Many of Horror
Many of Horror
"Many of Horror" is an alternative rock song written by Simon Neil of Scottish band Biffy Clyro for their fifth studio album Only Revolutions. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on 18 January 2010. The song was recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA and mastered at...
, from reaching the number one spot. Within the first 48 hours, Surfin' Bird hit the Top 10 in downloads. Surfin' Bird charted at number 3, beaten by Cardle's single and What's My Name?
What's My Name? (Rihanna song)
"What's My Name?" is mid-tempo electro-R&B song, produced by Norwegian producers, StarGate, who return Rihanna to the "Island-pop" of her early career with a backing track consisting of "heavy reggae" and ska beats with synthesised organs. Bill Lamb from About.com noted that before Rihanna's vocals...
by Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
featuring Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
; nonetheless, it was one of the highest charting of numerous anti-X Factor campaigns and the most successful of 2010 beating John Cage
John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
's 4′33″, Biffy Clyro's original version of Many of Horror and Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding
Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding is an English singer-songwriter. In 2010 she became only the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll, and win the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008...
's version of Your Song
Your Song
"Your Song" is a ballad composed and performed by English musician Elton John with lyrics by his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin. It appeared on John's self-titled second album in 1970....
, which was used in the Christmas themed advert for John Lewis
John Lewis
John Lewis may refer to:* John Lewis Partnership, a United Kingdom worker co-operative retailer** John Lewis , a department store chain in the United Kingdom-Politics:...
.
Track Listing
- "Surfin' Bird"
- "King of the Surf"
- "Henrietta"
- "Misirlou"
- "Malagueña"
- "It's So Easy"
- "Tube City"
- "My Woodie"
- "Bird Bath"
- "Kuk"
- "Money (That's What I Want)"
- "Sleeper"
- "Surfin' Bird [Demo Version]"
- "Bird Dance Beat [Demo Version]"
- "Walkin' My Baby"
- "Dancin' with Santa"
Chart performance
| Chart (1963) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 4 |
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
| UK Singles Chart | 50 |
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
Covers
- "Surfin' Bird" was instrumentally covered by The CenturionsThe CenturionsThe Centurions were an American surf rock band from Newport Beach, California, active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In recent times, they are best known for their recording "Bullwinkle Part II", a dark and saxy surf tune from their eponymous album. This tune was featured in Quentin...
on their 1963 album Surfers' Pajama Party. - "Surfin' Bird" was covered by the RamonesRamonesThe Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
on their 1977 album Rocket to RussiaRocket to RussiaRocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on November 4, 1977 through Sire Records. It was their last with original drummer Tommy Ramone. The album incorporates surf rock and other influences. It includes some of the Ramones' best-known...
. - "Surfin' Bird" was also covered by The CrampsThe CrampsThe Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
on their 1978 debut single on Vengeance Records; it also appeared on their 1979 album Gravest HitsGravest HitsGravest Hits is the debut 12" EP by the American garage punk band The Cramps. It was released in July 1979 on Illegal Records and I.R.S. Records. It was produced by Alex Chilton and recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis in 1977. It featured liner notes by "Dr. J.H...
and on their 1983 compilation album Off the BoneOff the Bone...Off the Bone is the first compilation of previously released material by American garage punk band The Cramps. It was released in 1983 in the United Kingdom on Illegal Records...
. - "Surfin' Bird" was covered by the Charly Lownoise & Mental TheoCharly Lownoise & Mental TheoCharlie Lownoise & Mental Theo are a DJ duo from the Netherlands. They are best known for their successful happy hardcore songs, but have also produced gabber records.-History:...
on the maxi singleMaxi singleA maxi single or maxi-single is a music single release with more than the usual two tracks of an a-side song and a b-side song.-The first maxi singles:...
"The Bird" in 1993. - SodomSodom (band)Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
, on their 2001 album M-16M-16 (album)M-16 is the tenth album by the German thrash metal band Sodom. The album is a concept album about the Vietnam War and is named after the rifle used by many U.S...
. - Pee Wee Herman covered the song on the soundtrack of the film Back to the BeachBack to the BeachBack to the Beach is a 1987 comedy film starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, directed by Lyndall Hobbs. The original music score is composed by Steve Dorff. The film generated a total domestic gross of $13,110,903...
. - SilverchairSilverchairSilverchair were an Australian rock band, which formed in 1992 as Innocent Criminals in Merewether, Newcastle with the line-up of Ben Gillies on drums, Chris Joannou on bass guitar and Daniel Johns on vocals and guitars. The group got their big break in mid-1994 when they won a national demo...
covered the song on their 1997 album The Door.
Though not technically a cover, Orbital
Orbital
Orbital may refer to:In chemistry and physics:* Atomic orbital* Molecular orbitalIn astronomy and space flight:* Orbit* Orbital resonance* Orbital period* Orbital plane * Orbital elements* Orbital speed...
sampled heavily from the original version on "Tension" from their 2001 album The Altogether
The Altogether
The Altogether is Orbital's sixth studio album and was released in 2001. It features guest vocals by the Hartnolls' brother-in-law, David Gray, a sampled Ian Dury, and a version of the Doctor Who theme...
.
Also, the song "Motherfucker
Blood Guts & Pussy
Blood Guts & Pussy is a 1990 album by the Dwarves. It was their first album for Sub Pop, and the album's sleeve was the subject of controversy, receiving protests from feminists. Dwarves frontman Blag The Ripper asserts that the Blood Guts & Pussy classic "Drug Store" is one of his favourite songs...
" by the Dwarves is loosely based on "Surfin' Bird".
In popular culture
- The song is featured in the "birthday party" sequence of the 1972 cult film Pink FlamingosPink FlamingosPink Flamingos is a 1972 transgressive black comedy film written, produced, composed, shot, edited, and directed by John Waters. When the film was initially released, it caused a huge degree of controversy and thus became one of the most notorious cult films ever made. It made an underground star...
, where it accompanies the performance of a nude contortionist. - This song was also used in Stanley KubrickStanley KubrickStanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
's film Full Metal JacketFull Metal JacketFull Metal Jacket is a 1987 war film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is an adaptation of the 1979 novel The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford and stars Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey, Arliss Howard and Adam Baldwin. The film follows a platoon of U.S...
. - This song could be heard in the video game Battlefield VietnamBattlefield VietnamBattlefield Vietnam is the second video game in Electronic Arts' Battlefield franchise after Battlefield 1942. The game was developed by the Swedish company Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts on March 15, 2004 in North America and days later in other parts of the world....
, as well as the similar expansion pack "Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam - This song has been used many times in Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episodes. - The song is also featured in the movie "Fred ClausFred ClausFred Claus is a 2007 Christmas family-comedy film produced and directed by David Dobkin, written by Dan Fogelman and Jessie Nelson, and starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti.-Plot:...
" starring Vince Vaughn. - It is also mentioned during a driving scene in Deadly Premonition.
- "Surfin' Bird" was used for the Wii dance game Just DanceJust Dance (video game)Just Dance is a music video game developed and published by Ubisoft for the Wii. It was released on November 17, 2009 in North America, November 26 in Australia, and November 27 in Europe. It is similar to the Dance Dance Revolution games in that dancers match moves on screen in order to earn...
published by UbisoftUbisoftUbisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
. - The chorus of "Surfin' Bird" is used by Bluebird to promote Bluebird chips. In this version, the chorus becomes "Bluebird's the word" and featured penguins carrying packets of chips under their flippers.