- Written & originally performed by Huey (Piano) Smith & the Clowns in 1957
- Smith was born 1/26/34 in New Orleans
- He paid his musical dues performing with artists such as Little Richard, Lloyd Price, Earl King, and Smiley Lewis
- He formed the R&B group Huey (Piano) Smith and the Clowns in 1957 along with singer Bobby Marchan, (a Youngstown Ohio native transplanted to New Orleans), who was also well known as a female impersonator...hey...it was New Orleans
- In 1972 the song was covered by singer / songwriter / guitarist Johnny Rivers
- Rivers was born John Henry Ramistella, 11/7/42, in New York
- He was encouraged to change his name to Johnny Rivers by concert promoter and influential DJ Alan Freed, who most consider to be the man who introduced the world to Rock and Roll
- The 1972 cover of Rockin Pneumonia went to #6 on the Billboard Magazine's Top 40 charts, and although he had other higher charting hits, Rockin Pneumonia is is one of his more recognized songs
- In his career Rivers would have 17 Top 40 hits
- Also in 1972 the song was covered by The Grateful Dead but was never released as a single
- There was an even earlier cover of the song by the 60s band Flamin' Groovies, included on their 1969 release "Supersnazz", which was so badly engineered they released the song AGAIN on their very next album in 1970 called Flamingo. They included the yet song AGAIN on their 1976 album "Still Shakin"
- Other artists to cover the song include
Billy Vera
, Aerosmith, Jeannie C. Riley
, Taylor Hicks, Bill Wyman
, and Jerry Lee Lewis
| An excerpt from a live Oracle Band performance of this song is available as both a streaming RealAudio format, or as a higher quality downloadable MP3. Select the version you'd prefer. | |
| RealAudio | MP3 |
You can also purchase the original version of Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu for less than a buck when you download the MP3 from Amazon.com Huey Smith & The Clowns - Rockin' Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu  Johnny Rivers - Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu  |
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Song Lyrics -
Rockin Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu
I want to jump but I'm afraid I'll fall
I want to holler but the joint's too small
Young man's rhythm got a hold on me, too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
Want some lovin', baby, that ain't all
I want to kiss her but she's way too tall
Young man's rhythm got a hold on me, too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
I want to scream, I want you all to know
I would be running but my feet too slow
Young man's rhythm got a hold on me, too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
Baby called me, now I'm hurryin' home
I know she's leaving 'cause I'm taking too long
Young man's rhythm got a hold on me, too
I got the rockin' pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu
Note that the lyrics posted here are those as interpreted and performed by The Oracle Band. In a few cases we have taken some liberties with the lyrics to make them more appropriate for tasteful gatherings. Their use here is intended as an aid for people in selecting music for their wedding reception or private party, and may not be reproduced for any commercial, for-profit use.
