Pop Rock

The song “Doo Wah Diddy” was written by the dynamic husband-wife songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. It was first recorded in 1963 by The Exciters, a vocal group from Queens, New York, and went to #78 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The British band Manfred Mann recorded it in 1964, and “Doo Wah Diddy” was an international success for them. The song rose to #1 in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Sweden. It was #2 in Australia, #4 in Germany and Norway, and #6 in The Netherlands. Manfred Mann released it as a single backed with “What You Gonna Do?” They also had the track on their 1964 album The Manfred Mann Album.

There have been numerous covers of the song, including versions by Sheila, Jan & Dean, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, Andrew Golden, The Cars, The Fools, and Riders in the Sky to mention a few. The song was also featured in the 1982 film Stripes with Bill Murray and Harold Ramis (plus the soldiers) singing it.

Manfred Mann was formed in London, England, by keyboardist Manfred Mann (born Manfred Sepse Lubowitz in South Africa) and multi-instrumentalist Mike Hugg, who played the drums, vibes, and piano. Other members were Mike Vickers (guitar, also sax, flute), Dave Richmond (bass), and Paul Jones (lead vocalist, harmonica). They had a love of jazz, blues, and R&B, and they moved into other genres, such as rock and pop, as they became more famous.

Here are the lyrics to “Doo Wah Diddy” by Manfred Mann:

There she was just walkin’ down the street
Singin’, “Do wah diddy, diddy, dum diddy do”
Snappin’ her fingers and shufflin’ her feet
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”

She looked good, she looked fine
(Looked good, looked fine)
She looked good, she looked fine
And I nearly lost my mind

Before I knew it she was walkin’ next to me
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”
Holdin’ my hand just as natural as can be
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”

We walked on to my door
(Walked on, my door)
We walked on to my door
Then we kissed a little more

Whoa, oh
I knew we was falling in love
Yes, I did and so I told her
All the things, I’d been dreamin’ of

Now we’re together nearly every single day
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”
We’re so happy and that’s how we’re gonna stay
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”

Well, I’m hers (I’m hers)
she’s mine (she’s mine)
I’m hers, she’s mine
Wedding bells are gonna chime

Whoa, oh
I knew we was falling in love
Yes, I did and so I told her
All the things, I’d been dreamin’ of

Now we’re together nearly every single day
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”
We’re so happy and that’s how we’re gonna stay,
Singin’, “Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do”

Well, I’m hers (I’m hers)
she’s mine (she’s mine)
I’m hers, she’s mine
Wedding bells are gonna chime

Whoa, oh, oh, oh, oh yeah
Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do, we’ll sing it
Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do
Do wah diddy diddy, dum diddy do.

If you would like to hear a song from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band: “Blinded by the Light.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Doo Wah Diddy” by Manfred Mann.