Download Instrumental This arrangement is for those lonely singers out there doing gigs all by themselves. I used a brass section and saxophone for the backup vocals, so you solo performers have plenty of room to show off your chops and still have a full sound with what passes for backup singers. It’s cheating, but who cares? Okay, the overall style is a bit different, but you can make it work…. we did. It doesn’t always have to be exactly like the original.
We played a beach bar for three years, which is too long to play any venue but the money was good. The name of the place was “The Happy Hooker”. I always thought this piece should have been their theme song with lyrics like “there she was just a’ walkin’ down the street” (street walker) and “snappin’ her fingers and shufflin’ her feet” (happy). But I digress (as usual).
The songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich wrote “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” in 1963. These two had just had a big hit called “Da Doo Ron Ron”, so you can see a pattern there. Sometimes gibberish works. It was first recorded by a girl group called “The Exciters” but didn’t do all that well on the charts (#78). The British rock group “Manfred Mann” took notice, headed for the studio, and produced a number one hit. I think it’s time to get this little nonsensical tune back in every singer’s repertoire. It’s easy, entertaining, and the crowd will sing it with you. You know you love that…
My favorite rendition is from the movie “Stripes” with Bill Murray. Click on the link below to watch the fun:
Stageworthy Backing Tracks by Dave Zobrist 