Today’s classic song of the day is “Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)” by British songstress Lulu. This song was released, on Atco Records, in November of 1969 and peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 early the following year.
“Oh Me Oh My” was written by Jim Doris, a British songwriter with only a few songs to his name. Lulu recorded the track in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. It was part of her New Routes album, recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and produced by Tom Dowd, Arif Maudin, and Jerry Wexler, the crew responsible for Dusty Springfield’s similar-themed Dusty in Memphis album. “Oh Me Oh My” was the only single released from Lulu’s album and, ironically, the only tune that didn’t originate in Muscle Shoals. (Lulu brought the tune with her from England.)
The song itself is a sweet soulful number with perfect backing by the Muscle Shoals boys. I particularly like the lines that go:
I’ll stage a ballet on a table top,
Command performance finger size.
Though I ain’t got no tune my show won’t flop,
Cause I’ll find the music in your eye.
New Routes was not a huge hit, peaking at just #88 on the Billboard 200 album chart. “Oh Me Oh My” was Lulu’s last big single in the U.S., although she had a few more hits in the UK. Her other big U.S. hit was “To Sir With Love,” which reached #1 in 1967. In the UK, Lulu had her first hit in 1964 with a #7 cover of “Shout;” that was the first of 17 top forty hits in her native land.
Lulu is still around today, age 75. She does a lot of voiceover work and reality TV competitions, in addition to continued concert performances.
And here’s your bonus clip, the fabulous Ms. Lulu performing “Oh Me Oh My” live in July 1976 for a BBC Seaside Special. The lady delivers.
