Fabulous '50's Tune for Friday, June 12th, '09

The Rock-A-Teens were an American rockabilly group from Richmond, Virginia, active in the late 1950s.

They are best known for their 1959 single "Woo Hoo", backed with "Untrue", released on Roulette Records. The song hit #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it proved to be their only hit.

"Woo Hoo" is a rockabilly song, originally released by The Rock-A-Teens in 1959. The song is distinctive for its lack of lyrics apart from its title words, which gave it popularity around the world as it is not subject to language barriers. It makes use of the twelve-bar blues chord progression, further adding to its accessibility.

Cover versions

It was later covered by the Scottish rock band, The Rezillos, (under the name "Yeah Yeah"), under the same title by the french psychobilly (or as they say themselves, "yéyé-punk") band Les Wampas on their 1988 album, Chauds, sales et humides, by the Japanese girl band The 5.6.7.8's on their 1996 album Bomb the Twist and as a dance/electronica track in 2005 by the American act The Daltronics. It was also covered by Showaddywaddy.

The 5.6.7.8's version gained cult popularity when it was featured and performed by them in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 movie Kill Bill: Vol. 1. The 5.6.7.8's version is also included on the Kill Bill Volume 1 soundtrack. Additionally, it appears in the movie Glory Road. A different song by the name of "Woo Hoo" was also recorded by the Christian rock band The Newsboys.