Identify that Song (Vague)

It’s an instrumental (so no lyrics for me to Google) featuring a melody on electric lead guitar. Probably from the 50’s; maybe early 60’s.

Being virtually illiterate musically, I kind of feel a fool trying to describe it. The guitarist starts off with this ridiculously high note where it sounds like he’s bending the string, then goes into this slow tempo, kinda loungey melody. Obviously I can’t hum it for you, but let me try typing this and maybe some of the rhythm will come through:

(high note, and then…)

Doooooooooow-daaa, da-da-Da-da-da-daaa…

and my memory gets kinda hazy after that point (it kinda sounds like the string is bent on the “Doooooooooow”, too. Not much to go on, I know, but it’s kind of an iconic song, so I’m hoping someone will recognize it. It’s one of the best know pop instrumentals ever, virtually anyone would probably recognize it, I just don’t know who does it.

WAG: “Sleepwalk” by Santo & Johnny?

That would be my guess. But then, I don’t have a great track record identifying songs.

That’s it! Thanks to both of you!

You might have heard the song in La Bamba (the movie about Ritchie Valens portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips). Made me cry. Love that song.

I have it on my iPod/iTunes. Got a playlist called ‘Beach Music’.