The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Brandon Wood / Indie Bling Studio
The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their signature, Grammy-winning song “Elvira,” originally released in 1981.
The country classic was written in 1966 by Dallas Frazier, and the group recorded it for MCA Records as part of their album, Fancy Free. The song went on to reach No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Elvira” has continued to be a universal favorite that has been played in over 100 countries, added to over 109 editorial playlists, and has reached five million plays on Apple Music.
“The first time we performed ‘Elvira’ in front of an audience was at an afternoon rehearsal for The Tonight Show. We were not set to perform it on the show that night, but we had just recorded it and decided to sing it for a soundcheck,” shares Oak Ridge Boy Duane Allen. “By the time we got halfway through the song, the producer, assistants, secretaries, sound and light crew, and all of the people who could hear us, came running over and freaking out. The Tonight Show gave us the first ‘reading’ of how ‘Elvira’ was going to be received.”
The Oak Ridge Boys have recorded and performed “Elvira” with several artists including Little Big Town at the Grand Ole Opry’s 90th Birthday Bash as well as recording an a cappella version with Home Free. In 2017, The Oaks teamed up with Blake Shelton, joining him on a live-in-the-studio version for an exclusive Spotify recording. In 2018, in collaboration with the Tennessee Titans, The Oaks recorded a variation of “Elvira” (entitled ‘Titans Code of Conduct’) and filmed a corresponding music video that was showcased at all Titans home games.
“It’s been said that it’s difficult, if not impossible, to fully appreciate or understand the magnitude of something as it’s happening,” says the Oaks’ Richard Sterban. “While that might be true in some circumstances, I can honestly say that I—and we—could not have been any more aware of what was happening to us, as we rode the crest of the ‘Elvira’ wave.”
“When the Oaks first cut ‘Elvira’, the phenomenal success it created for them blessed my quest for success as well,” added songwriter Dallas Frazier. “Every songwriter dreams of getting cuts like that one. They did an extraordinary job!! These guys sound just as good as they did 40 years ago. There is no doubt that standing ovations are going to follow them as long as they perform. God bless the Oaks! I’m proud that they count me as one of their friends.”
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