Rock and Roll

Bobby Day, which was the professional name of Robert James Byrd, was a very influential part of the music business during this doo wop era — and a big part of 1950s music and 1960s music. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Day was an R&B, soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and musician. He was a member of the group The Hollywood Flames as well as the original Bob in the duo Bob & Earl. Day founded the group The Famous Flames, of which James Brown was the lead singer — and Day is credited with his discovery. Day also wrote songs for many artists, including Thurston Harris, Clyde McPhatter, and the Jackson Five.

In 1958, Day and Leon René (credited as Jimmie Thomas) collaborated on “Rockin’ Robin.” Day liked the song so much he decided to try his hand as a recording artist and make his own record. The famous piccolo part was played by Plas Johnson, who later played the saxophone solo on “The Pink Panther Theme.” Although Bobby Day wrote many more hits (e.g., “Itty Bitty Pretty One” and “Over and Over”), this was his only hit record as a singer. “Rockin’ Robin” went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been covered by many popular artists, including Chuck Berry, Michael Jackson, Gene Vincent, The Hollies, Cliff Richard, The Spinners, and, of course, The Muppets.

“Over and Over” was the B-Side to “Rockin’ Robin” and also charted well.

Here are the lyrics to “Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day:

(Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee x 3)
(Tweet x 4)

He rocks in the tree tops all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet

Rockin’ robin (Tweet x 3)
Rockin’ robin (Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)
Go rockin’ robin
‘Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight
(Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)

Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee
Every little bird in the tall oak tree
The wise old owl, the big black crow
Flappin’ their wings singing go bird go

Rockin’ robin (Tweet x 3)
Rockin’ robin (Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)
Go rockin’ robin
‘Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight
(Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)

A pretty little raven at the bird bandstand
Taught him how to do the bop and ‘, it was grand
They started going steady and bless my soul
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole

He rocks in the tree top all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet

Rockin’ robin (Tweet x 3)
Rockin’ robin (Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)
Go rockin’ robin
‘Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight
(Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)

Well, a pretty little raven at the bird bandstand
Taught him how to do the boppin’, it was grand
He started going steady and bless my soul
He out-bopped the Buzzard and the Oriole

He rocks in the tree top all day long
Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet

Rockin’ robin, (tweet, tweet, tweet)
Rockin’ robin’ (tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)
Go rockin’ robin
‘Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight
(Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)

Rockin’ robin, (tweet, tweet, tweet)
Rockin’ robin’ (tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)
Go rockin’ robin
‘Cause we’re really gonna rock tonight
(Tweet, tweedle-lee-dee)

(Tweedle-lee-dee-dee-dee, tweedle-lee-dee-dee x 3)
(Tweet x 2)
[Wolf whistle]

To hear more music by Bobby Day, you might consider this from amazon:

To hear a Bobby Day song sung by Thurston Harris: “Little Bitty Pretty One.”

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday NIght, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Rockin’ Robin” by Bobby Day.