Houston-born rock singer-songwriter James Smith was given the stage name P.J. Proby by Eddie Cochran's girlfriend, Sharon Sheeley (the composer of "Poor Little Fool"). It was she who got him his recording deal with the Liberty label. As an actor, PJ played everyone from Elvis to Roy Oribison on film and on stage but his best known for "Niki Hoeky," which reached #23 early in 1967. He later toured with the Who and recorded with both Focus and The New Yardbirds, who became Led Zeppelin.
My pal Phil "Phibber" Munchausen says this song was inspired by nis neighbour Nicholas Hoeky.His Dad went to jail,his sister often went on coach trips and his Mother had a hip replacement....but seeing as Nick lived in the village of Much Trumping (nowhere near Louisianna) and he wasn't born until 1971,Phil may be wrong....or lying.
This is one of those songs that EVERYBODY knows (like "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Nik Kershaw", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" by the Royalettes, and "He Was Really Sayin' Something" by the Velvelettes) that didn;t make the top ten but managed to seel a lot of copies...
Now that the catfight seems to have died down, can anybody tell me where I can buy a digital version of this recording? iTunes and Wal-mart both offer the live version, but I want the studio version that I heard in the 60s (i.e., this one).
PJ had limited success in the US and was much more successful in England.Niki Hoeky was one of those songs that was big in the markets where it was played.Since it didn't get air play all over it didn't make it very far up the Billboard chart.It was played on KQV in Pittsburgh and I loved the song.
@2011leinad Niki Hoeky could've been a national hit if Proby had played his cards right. He did the song on Dick Clark's American Bandstand without a hitch. But, according to his recent interviews, when he started on Clark's Caravan of Stars tour he faked smoking a joint in his act and got himself fired. Clark was known for running a squeaky clean show and it's baffling why Proby was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. He had a drinking problem so maybe he was drunk.
@rontenn Nobody said Proby had to make the top 20 to get a US gold record. But peaking at 23, only 5 weeks on the top 40, and no crossover to any other US charts like R&B makes it near impossible in 1967. Add the fact that RIAA doesn't have it in their Gold file and neither does Billboard means it never happened. It may be "common knowledge" in your neighborhood but it's a fish story here in the US.
@CategoryStomper yes, but the song itself has endured.Bobbie Gentry recorded it on her #1 album 'Ode to Billie Joe' which had an international sale of over 1.5 million in 1967. Aretha recorded it on' Lady Soul' in 1968 which has sold several million in the last 4 decades.
P.J. got a U.S.A gold record for this in1967. Deservedly so!! As usual, just like every song P.J. records, it's impossible for anyone else to do a better job of it! What a LEGEND!
@rontenn Why don't you ask someone from southern Louisiana who is familiar with Cajun if the word boolawee (or boulawee) is Cajun or gibberish instead of making a fool of yourself?
PJ Proby did not get a US gold record for Niki Hoeky. It was on the US charts for only 5 weeks with a peak position of 23. A clear indication of too few sales and too little air play to merit a gold record. Check with RIAA before posting claims about US gold records.
@CategoryStomper The record went gold!! That means in the States one million sales! Like it or lump it!! Anyway who really cares what you think! This is a classic! I don't give a s**t what boolawee means by the way. Vegas/Vegas/Ford wrote it! Now you're insulting them by saying they wrote gibberish! Feel proud??
@rontenn Just wishful thinking on your part. Both RIAA and Billboard say NO GOLD for Niki Hoeky.
What's insulting about saying boolawee is gibberish? The song lyrics are SLANG. Nobody with any sense believes the word scoobydoo is Cajun. PJ Proby, not the songwriters, claimed those words are Cajun. He's the one who's insulting - as usual.
Interesting that Proby can't decide whether it's Jim Ford or Sly Stone with the house and the girlfriend in one of his tales about his Hollywood friends.
@rontenn If you want people to believe Niki Hoeky "went gold" you'll have to prove it. It might have been Proby's "biggest record" but it didn't even make the top 20.
@CategoryStomper I don't have to prove a thing,it's common knowledge & everyone knows it. It was Proby's biggest record in the U.S.A. & you don't have to get in the top 20 there to go gold! "Gold Singer....P.J.'s the man,the man with the voice of gold.Millions sold! " Sing these words to the James Bond "Goldfinger" tune!
@Janette3621 The song is about gibberish being served as Cajun. It's not New Orleans slang either. Boolawee is a corruption of buddha weed (marijuana) that somebody dreamed up to sound hip. If you search the internet for boolawee all you get is this song. That ought to tell you something.
@CategoryStomper In YOUR sad opinion it's gibberish! As usual in your posts it's you coming out with the gibberish! We all know you're a P.J. hater....seems like you hate anyone connected with him too! Pathetic!
Thanks IslamAKillerCult - Ii did eventually manage to find the lyrics to this song on this site. I was surprised to find that I had most of the words correct except for the cajun sounding ones. What a great song though eh!!! Thanks for your post to me.
P.J.Proby......what a voice!! Amazingly the guy is still recording & touring & is still based in the U.K. even tho' he's from Houston,Texas To me & many others he's a true legend!! Ron
Is there anybody out three with the words for this song. I've tried to catch them while the record is going but to no avail!!! I love to sing along to this song cause it's so neat!!!
@TheHotshotmama Just Google "Niki Hoeky Lyrics", but be warned, they look a little creepy. It must be Cajun slang or something, so there could be an innocent explanation. But lines like "Talkin' 'bout that wee" make me wonder. He did a good job with them though; sounds a little like Wilson Pickett.
@lrd9999 Niki Hoeky was cajun slang...Lolly Vegas co-wrote this song...he cofounded the 70s Native American rock band, REDBONE. His grandfather played the cajun joints for many years..hence the cajun flavor in this song. RIP, Lolly. You will be missed.
I was 13. This was the hottest - kids had to confront the adults to allow it to be played at Teen Town Saturday night dances. . . . I never forgot it and had quite a time finding the 45 before the internet came along . . . .
Houston-born rock singer-songwriter James Smith was given the stage name P.J. Proby by Eddie Cochran's girlfriend, Sharon Sheeley (the composer of "Poor Little Fool"). It was she who got him his recording deal with the Liberty label. As an actor, PJ played everyone from Elvis to Roy Oribison on film and on stage but his best known for "Niki Hoeky," which reached #23 early in 1967. He later toured with the Who and recorded with both Focus and The New Yardbirds, who became Led Zeppelin.
horarwgt 1 month ago
is this guy related to ...andy probyn,,,,youtube ..can be so confusing,,,
SHADYLADY159 3 months ago
great song..Proby sounds like very fine whiskey...what a great voice!!!
SuperLEROYLEROY 4 months ago
My pal Phil "Phibber" Munchausen says this song was inspired by nis neighbour Nicholas Hoeky.His Dad went to jail,his sister often went on coach trips and his Mother had a hip replacement....but seeing as Nick lived in the village of Much Trumping (nowhere near Louisianna) and he wasn't born until 1971,Phil may be wrong....or lying.
myepiphone 5 months ago
This is one of those songs that EVERYBODY knows (like "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Nik Kershaw", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" by the Royalettes, and "He Was Really Sayin' Something" by the Velvelettes) that didn;t make the top ten but managed to seel a lot of copies...
shmuli9 5 months ago
Absolutely the best version.
takemeback70s 7 months ago 3
I have a Digital copy of Nicky Hoeky.
Yeah I paid $62 US for this CD.
But it has a great lineup of songs.
When I get a chance I post for you PJ Proby fans.
Being from New Orleans I really llike this song.
anthonykalcic 7 months ago
One of the greatest unacknowledged singing talents!
groovinwalrus
groovinwalrus 7 months ago 3
@groovinwalrus He was a lot more popular in England then he was in the States. He had a lot of hits there compared in here in the States.
NcicHit2 6 months ago
Now that the catfight seems to have died down, can anybody tell me where I can buy a digital version of this recording? iTunes and Wal-mart both offer the live version, but I want the studio version that I heard in the 60s (i.e., this one).
MrScheisskopf99 8 months ago
PJ had limited success in the US and was much more successful in England.Niki Hoeky was one of those songs that was big in the markets where it was played.Since it didn't get air play all over it didn't make it very far up the Billboard chart.It was played on KQV in Pittsburgh and I loved the song.
2011leinad 9 months ago
@2011leinad Niki Hoeky could've been a national hit if Proby had played his cards right. He did the song on Dick Clark's American Bandstand without a hitch. But, according to his recent interviews, when he started on Clark's Caravan of Stars tour he faked smoking a joint in his act and got himself fired. Clark was known for running a squeaky clean show and it's baffling why Proby was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. He had a drinking problem so maybe he was drunk.
CategoryStomper 8 months ago
@rontenn Nobody said Proby had to make the top 20 to get a US gold record. But peaking at 23, only 5 weeks on the top 40, and no crossover to any other US charts like R&B makes it near impossible in 1967. Add the fact that RIAA doesn't have it in their Gold file and neither does Billboard means it never happened. It may be "common knowledge" in your neighborhood but it's a fish story here in the US.
CategoryStomper 9 months ago
@CategoryStomper yes, but the song itself has endured.Bobbie Gentry recorded it on her #1 album 'Ode to Billie Joe' which had an international sale of over 1.5 million in 1967. Aretha recorded it on' Lady Soul' in 1968 which has sold several million in the last 4 decades.
danielrdrown 7 months ago
P.J. got a U.S.A gold record for this in1967. Deservedly so!! As usual, just like every song P.J. records, it's impossible for anyone else to do a better job of it! What a LEGEND!
rontenn 9 months ago
@rontenn Why don't you ask someone from southern Louisiana who is familiar with Cajun if the word boolawee (or boulawee) is Cajun or gibberish instead of making a fool of yourself?
PJ Proby did not get a US gold record for Niki Hoeky. It was on the US charts for only 5 weeks with a peak position of 23. A clear indication of too few sales and too little air play to merit a gold record. Check with RIAA before posting claims about US gold records.
CategoryStomper 9 months ago
@CategoryStomper The record went gold!! That means in the States one million sales! Like it or lump it!! Anyway who really cares what you think! This is a classic! I don't give a s**t what boolawee means by the way. Vegas/Vegas/Ford wrote it! Now you're insulting them by saying they wrote gibberish! Feel proud??
rontenn 9 months ago
@rontenn Just wishful thinking on your part. Both RIAA and Billboard say NO GOLD for Niki Hoeky.
What's insulting about saying boolawee is gibberish? The song lyrics are SLANG. Nobody with any sense believes the word scoobydoo is Cajun. PJ Proby, not the songwriters, claimed those words are Cajun. He's the one who's insulting - as usual.
Interesting that Proby can't decide whether it's Jim Ford or Sly Stone with the house and the girlfriend in one of his tales about his Hollywood friends.
CategoryStomper 9 months ago
@CategoryStomper YOU say no gold for Proby !! Only to be expected! I think you're on a trip!! LOL!
rontenn 9 months ago
@rontenn If you want people to believe Niki Hoeky "went gold" you'll have to prove it. It might have been Proby's "biggest record" but it didn't even make the top 20.
CategoryStomper 9 months ago
@CategoryStomper I don't have to prove a thing,it's common knowledge & everyone knows it. It was Proby's biggest record in the U.S.A. & you don't have to get in the top 20 there to go gold! "Gold Singer....P.J.'s the man,the man with the voice of gold.Millions sold! " Sing these words to the James Bond "Goldfinger" tune!
rontenn 9 months ago
What is the song about? I love it but I don't understand it.
Janette3621 1 year ago
@Janette3621 The song is about gibberish being served as Cajun. It's not New Orleans slang either. Boolawee is a corruption of buddha weed (marijuana) that somebody dreamed up to sound hip. If you search the internet for boolawee all you get is this song. That ought to tell you something.
CategoryStomper 1 year ago
@CategoryStomper In YOUR sad opinion it's gibberish! As usual in your posts it's you coming out with the gibberish! We all know you're a P.J. hater....seems like you hate anyone connected with him too! Pathetic!
rontenn 9 months ago
Boo and boulawee are New Orleans slang for weed. Many DJ's frowned on playing this cult classic in 1966. PJ left USA and met some popularity in UK.
jheck0345 1 year ago
The Cleftones did a great version of this
nhb1234 1 year ago
I haven't heard this record since the Murray the K show on New York's WOR-FM in 1967. I still can't figure out what the're saying.
RaananVolesPianist 1 year ago
Awesome!
ModGirl1967 1 year ago
Thanks IslamAKillerCult - Ii did eventually manage to find the lyrics to this song on this site. I was surprised to find that I had most of the words correct except for the cajun sounding ones. What a great song though eh!!! Thanks for your post to me.
Keep on rocking PJ!!!
TheHotshotmama 1 year ago
Great song ~ thanks for posting...
doubleotwentyone 1 year ago
P.J.Proby......what a voice!! Amazingly the guy is still recording & touring & is still based in the U.K. even tho' he's from Houston,Texas To me & many others he's a true legend!! Ron
rontenn 1 year ago 2
Another forgotten oldie that shouldn't be.
I don't know what is wrong with the oldie stations. So many good ones and they want to play a few over and over.
cmsdude2222 2 years ago 2
@cmsdude2222 Yeah... One can only hear "Baby Love", "Happy Together" and "Sher Loves You" so many times... This song is cool!
shmuli9 1 year ago
One Bad Jam From The "60". Thanks You Tube.
montecarlo0 2 years ago
Help!!!
Is there anybody out three with the words for this song. I've tried to catch them while the record is going but to no avail!!! I love to sing along to this song cause it's so neat!!!
TheHotshotmama 2 years ago 2
I Agree This Is One Bad Jam.
montecarlo0 2 years ago
@TheHotshotmama Just Google "Niki Hoeky Lyrics", but be warned, they look a little creepy. It must be Cajun slang or something, so there could be an innocent explanation. But lines like "Talkin' 'bout that wee" make me wonder. He did a good job with them though; sounds a little like Wilson Pickett.
lrd9999 2 years ago
@lrd9999 Niki Hoeky was cajun slang...Lolly Vegas co-wrote this song...he cofounded the 70s Native American rock band, REDBONE. His grandfather played the cajun joints for many years..hence the cajun flavor in this song. RIP, Lolly. You will be missed.
litigui1 1 year ago
@litigui1 redbone played the fillmore east my friend went to that this record is swamp rock
spacepatrolman 1 year ago
@TheHotshotmama If you go to lyricsmode . com you can get the words to this...
IslamAKillerCult 1 year ago
Any idea who plays that nasty sax... what a talent... imagine the song without the sax! thanx for the post
MrChicagoPaul 2 years ago
Pat and Lolly Vegas are indeed of Redbone fame. Thanks for the posting!
vinenylgroover 2 years ago
I was 13. This was the hottest - kids had to confront the adults to allow it to be played at Teen Town Saturday night dances. . . . I never forgot it and had quite a time finding the 45 before the internet came along . . . .
50sVintage 2 years ago
Where were those Teen Town Saturday night dances? What town?
titostacos 1 year ago
@titostacos
Toledo.
50sVintage 1 year ago
Who wrote this? How high on the charts did it get? How come they don't play it on the radio? What the hell is wrong with the culture?
titostacos 2 years ago
In this order....jim ford, lolly vegas. pat vegas--number 25----who knows and again..who knows.
sexymama1966 2 years ago
Thanks for the info... and then Pat and Lolly Vegas became Redbone, right?
titostacos 2 years ago