A joyous and self-referential homage to the foundational sounds of rock and roll, a glorious celebration of musical nonsense.
For those of us who came of age in the 1970s and 1980s, the name Showaddywaddy is synonymous with a kind of exuberant, good-natured fun that felt both timeless and perfectly of its era. They were a delightful anachronism, a gang of rock ‘n’ roll revivalists who brought the spirit of the 1950s—the slick-backed hair, the dapper suits, the thunderous rhythm, and the infectious harmony—to a generation more accustomed to punk and new wave. While they crafted their own successful hits, their genius often lay in their ability to breathe new life into classic songs. Perhaps no track encapsulates their playful, nostalgic ethos better than their 1982 single, “Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp).” This song was not just a cover; it was a mission statement, a celebration of the very musical DNA that fueled their entire career.
Upon its release, “Who Put the Bomp” achieved a respectable position, peaking at number 37 on the UK Singles Chart. While this may not have been a chart-topper on the scale of their earlier hits like “Under the Moon of Love” or “I Wonder Why,” it solidified their enduring presence on the British music scene. The track’s chart success, coming in the early 1980s, was a testament to the band’s staying power and their ability to continuously connect with an audience hungry for pure, unpretentious entertainment. It was the lead single from their compilation album The Very Best of Showaddywaddy, a record that served as a fantastic entry point for new fans and a loving reminder for longtime followers of the band’s brilliant career.
The story behind the original song is as charming as the tune itself. The track was written and first performed by American songwriter Barry Mann in 1961. It was a clever, witty doo-wop anthem that playfully poked fun at the nonsensical lyrics that were a hallmark of the genre. Phrases like “bomp bah bomp” and “dip de dip” were a core part of the musical language of the time, and Mann’s song was both an ode to and a loving parody of them. Showaddywaddy’s decision to cover it was a stroke of genius. They understood the song’s meta-humor and its sincere affection for the music it was referencing. For them, covering it was like a master chef showing off their expertise with a beloved, foundational ingredient. They didn’t just sing the song; they lived it, with their dual vocalists and vibrant stage presence bringing Mann’s original intent to life in a way that felt authentic and fresh.
For those of us who can remember the sound of a jukebox clunking to life, or the sheer, visceral thrill of hearing an upbeat rock and roll song on the radio, “Who Put the Bomp” is an instant shot of pure nostalgia. It’s a sonic time machine that transports us back to a simpler time when a catchy hook and a silly lyric could be all you needed to lift your spirits. The song’s energetic beat and harmonious backing vocals are a vibrant reminder of the dancehalls and youth clubs where we came of age. This isn’t a song that requires deep analysis; its power lies in its simplicity and its celebration of a joy that is so often forgotten in more complex music. It speaks to the universal, foundational truth of rock and roll: that it is, at its heart, about the rhythm of life itself. “Who Put the Bomp” is a joyous anthem that reminds us to not take things too seriously, to embrace the ridiculous, and to always, always remember to dance.