1956 Songs: Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad

Tweet

Oops, I had the 1956 song set up before I realized the 1966 song was supposed to go first today. It doesn’t matter, as I’m sure you’re already feeling old…and you’re ready for more frankfurters, right? Yes, back 70 years to a rarity: a rockabilly queen! Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad - Wanda Jackson Wanda Jackson was discovered by fellow Okie Hank Thompson. She was on her way to a country career, when people suggested that she “rock things up.” The country career had to wait until the 60s, as Jackson started doing rockabilly songs. As a result, she became the “Queen of Rockabilly,” the first million-selling female rocker, and dubbed “the female Elvis.” She had her share of controversy. “Nice girls” didn’t rock y’know. Then she had that hit, “Fujiyama Mama,” which was banned by a number of radio stations because they read more into “when I start erupting” than they should have (or maybe not, but Wanda wasn’t telling ). This one, about playing the man’s game of being flippant in the relationship, probably ruffled a few feathers, too. As the follow-up single to “I Gotta Know” (which was a pretty successful country hit), this wasn’t very successful. Unlike the predecessor, which had a rocking verse but a slow, waltz-time chorus, this was all-out rockabilly. It’s a lot of fun. Wanda Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, and is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. After her husband/manager passed away in 2017, Jackson retired from performing. I got to see her live in the early 2010s; and, even at 76 (she’s 88 now), her voice could knock the walls down. Long live the Queen of Rockabilly. Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad Written by Don Raye and Daniel Baker Recorded by Wanda Jackson Released as a single, 1956 Instead of an answer I laughed in his face: