Rock A Doodle Doo

Album: Appetizers (1973)
Charted: 15
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In spite of her obvious talents as a songwriter coupled with a five-octave vocal range, Linda Lewis managed to achieve little more than a cult following in a career spanning four decades.

    Released in 1973, "Rock-A-Doodle-Doo" (or "Rock A Doodle Doo") was about as good as things got for her singles-wise. Although not her first release, it was her first self-penned single. Backed by "Reach for The Truth" it was produced by the lady herself and her future first husband, Jim Cregan.

    It might be described as a girly love song. In March 2007, when she appeared on a South of England radio station, the host pointed out that the first line contained a mondegreen of which she had previously been unaware. A listener from Doncaster had phoned in and said "When you come out of school" sounded like "When you come out Tesco."

    This is not the case on the live version, which was recorded in Japan; this somewhat superior take contains a decent lead guitar solo.

    The original runs to around 3 minutes 23 seconds and was released on Raft, but a promotional copy was put out by Reprise, apparently with a different B-side: "Sideway Shuffle" and "Play Around." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Zabadak from London, EnglandLinda sang backing vocals on Bowie's "Aladdin Sane" album...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Thomas Dolby

Thomas DolbySongwriter Interviews

He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.