The Iconic “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys, 40 Years Later
Every once in a while a song comes along that so transfixes people, it becomes part of their DNA henceforth. You remember the first time you heard it. You travel back to that time and place when you first heard it when you hear it again. It’s a guidepost to your memories. “Elvira” by the Oak Ridge Boys, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month, is most certainly one of those songs.
Written in 1966 by Dallas Frazier, but not recorded and released by the Oak Ridge Boys until 1981, the song was about the perfect ear worm with its bouncy verses combined with the do-woppy “Om-papa-mow-mow” portion performed by bass singer Richard Sterban. Add a Lone Ranger reference in there, and every kid born from the 50’s to the 80’s and most adults found favor with “Elvira,” sometimes becoming their introduction to country music.
“The first time we performed ‘Elvira’ in front of an audience was at an afternoon rehearsal for ‘The Tonight Show,'” says Oaks member Duane Allen. “We were not set to perform it on the show that night, but we had just recorded it and decided to sing it for a soundcheck. By the time we got halfway through the song, the producer, assistants, secretaries, sound and light crew, and all of the people who could hear us, came running over and freaking out. ‘The Tonight Show’ gave us the first ‘reading’ of how ‘Elvira’ was going to be received.”
“Elvira” was not just a country music single, it became an ambassador for the genre. Along with going #1 in country, it also reached all the way to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time. “Elvira” became its own kind of cultural phenomenon, with everyone trying to “Om-papa” along, but failing to reach the register of Richard Sturban’s range.
“It’s been said that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to fully appreciate or understand the magnitude of something as it’s happening,” says Richard Sterban. “While that might be true in some circumstances, I can honestly say that I—and we—could not have been any more aware of what was happening to us, as we rode the crest of the ‘Elvira’ wave.”
The Oak Ridge Boys had already enjoyed a few #1 singles and a strong legacy in Gospel music before “Elvira” came along, but the song certainly launched them into the stratosphere. Eleven of the next fifteen singles from the Oak Ridge Boys would go #1.
“When the Oaks first cut ‘Elvira’, the phenomenal success it created for them blessed my quest for success as well,” says songwriter Dallas Frazier. “Every songwriter dreams of getting cuts like that one.”
“American Made,” “Bobby Sue,” and “Thank God for Kids” are some of the other songs country fans may immediately think of when they think of the Oak Ridge Boys. But everybody knows “Elvira.” And if you play it for a kid today, they’ll immediately be hooked. Not many country songs today you’ll be able to say that about 40 years from now.
Woogeroo
March 21, 2021 @ 8:09 am
When I was a kid it seemed like they played that song every half hour for awhile on the radio, it was everywhere. On the radio, on the speakers at the shopping store, they were performing it on tv on various shows.
It’s a great song/cut, but damn I got thoroughly sick of it for about a good ten years or so.
However, I do recall riding around in my dad’s truck and us trying to sing along, so good times.
hoptowntiger94
March 21, 2021 @ 8:28 am
Isn’t it a lesbian anthem?
https://youtu.be/gWl8BpSz8jA
Wayne
March 21, 2021 @ 8:53 am
Great group. So glad they are in the HOF. Good guys for sure.
Conrad Fisher
March 21, 2021 @ 9:44 am
And Dallas is still kicking around, as on fire as he ever was. Great song.
Terry
March 21, 2021 @ 9:44 am
Funny the timing, I just began reading Joe Bonsall’s book “ On The Road With The Oak Ridge Boys” last night! Was blessed to see them 8 years ago opening up for Kenny Rogers. Great music!
On a side note, I just finished Brenda Lee’s autobiography-talk about someone who knew EVERYONE! She knew everyone in music-country, rock, pop, jazz, rockabilly, name a star, she either grew up with them, sang with them, shared a tour, or met along the way. Talk about connections!
Brandon E
March 21, 2021 @ 10:03 am
Trigger,
What would you say is the most recent country song that will be loved in forty years?
I guess I’d say Tennessee Whiskey.
Trigger
March 21, 2021 @ 10:19 am
“Tennessee Whiskey” is a 40-year-old song too, which sort of proves the point. But yes, I think folks will be listening to it 40 years from now. But aside from that, there’s not many modern mainstream country “hits” that I think will withstand the test of time. Maybe Miranda Lambert’s “House That Built Me.” Maybe “Humble and Kind.” I’d begrudgingly say Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” just because it was such a massive hit, but I don’t think time will be very kind to it, though I’m sure someone will be nostalgic for it in 40 years.
You really have to look at the independent ranks for songs that feel like they’re instant classics. “Feathered Indians” and “Whitehouse Road” by Tyler Childers, “Loud and Heavy” by Cody Jinks. Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up,” which was kind of a hit for Morgan Wallen via streaming. I can definitely see that being entered into the American songbook.
scott
March 21, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
The rest of that Gaither gathering video is outstanding. Larry Gatlin & Brothers still bring it, and the gospel music is top notch.
Catt9988
March 21, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
The Oak Ridge Boys have so many great songs one can not even start to list. Elvira was just one. Seen them many times and they just get better. Songs that really meant something unlike songs written today.
Fuzzy Twoshirts
March 21, 2021 @ 4:30 pm
Yeah. Gotta disagree on this one
I think it’s a pretty lame song
shawn tackett
March 21, 2021 @ 5:14 pm
and They are just getting started. Their new album produced by David Cobb is FRONT PORCH SINGING. their first country album since IT’S ONLY NATURAL. due out in June. and if that was not enough. William Lee Golden (the guy with the long beard) who sings baritone for the oaks. Him and his sons The Goldens are going to release A 3 CD ALBUM Called THE GOLDENS. the music will consist of gospel. classic country and country rock. 3 CDS. Plus the oaks album . the Goldens album is supposed to come out in the spring . so yeah . a ton of great music from guys who are in their 70s and 80s. and they are still going strong. i have been a fan since 1975. love all their songs including ELIVRA. can not wait for the great year the oaks have in store for us.
shawn tackett
March 21, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
that goldens cd will have 31 songs in all. should be awesome.
strait county 81
March 21, 2021 @ 6:24 pm
I can relate to Leavin Louisiana In The Broad Daylight most.
TwangBob
March 21, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
As a long time fan of Emmylou Harris, I recall Rodney Crowell who was part of her Hot Band in the mid-70s. He was mostly known as a songwriter back then. Crowell’s first solo album – in 1978 – included a version of “Elvira” – which is the first time I heard the song and I think Emmylou sang harmony on the track. A few years go by, the Oak Ridge Boys release the song as a single and it becomes a super smash radio hit.
As an aside, for those interested in a deeper dig, check out Wikipedia on “Elvira” and read about Kenny Rogers and The First Edition cutting this song in 1970. And then listen to the track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uck6gctO2HE Whoa!
But I digress…. as a weekend musician in the 80s, I probably played “Elvira” at every gig, sometimes twice in a single night. That was due to the Oak Ridge Boys’ big hit. It seemed everybody loved the “Oom Papa Mow Mow.”
John Mitrikas
March 21, 2021 @ 9:11 pm
Agree. I remember loving that 1st Rodney Crowell album. 1st time hearing it and Leaving Louisiana was also on it . I think the Oakridge Boys or someone close to them heard that album and then they cut them. Inmo their versions were not as good .
The Honkytonk Jukebox
March 30, 2021 @ 4:06 pm
I did a whole story on my Instagram about the connection of Emmylou, Rodney and Marcia Ball, all covering Leaving Louisiana in the same year on their albums
Mac Sledge's Revenge
March 22, 2021 @ 6:12 am
My wife and I are trying to slightly ween our 2 1/2-year-old off of kids songs (a human can only hear Old MacDonald so many times) and sprinkle in some more catchy “adult” music. Elvira just happened to come on by accident on Spotify when turning the car on recently and he flipped out. Absolutely loves it. Requests it every day on the way to school (along with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”). Hearing a toddler sing “lips like cherry wine” doesn’t really get old.
Luckyoldsun
March 22, 2021 @ 10:59 am
Dallas Frazier had the “Oom-papa-mow-mows” and “Hiyo Silver” in his original recording of the song. He also sang it “My heart’s on Fi-ruh for Elvira.” Other artists who recorded it kept those features but didn’t emphasize them.
The Oaks took out the humorous “Fi-ruh/Elvira” rhyme and sang the word “fire” straight. But they put so much personality into the other adornments that it wasn’t missed.
Bigbadnurse
July 4, 2021 @ 10:08 pm
The first time I heard achy brachy heart I said that is the most annoying country song since Elvira. With its nonsense rhyming syllables it reminds me of the hanky panky. It’s a bubblegummer.