# Ther bird is the word.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ther-bird-is-the-word/360337>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [June 11, 2006, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ther-bird-is-the-word/360337 "2006-06-11T21:03:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\
**Post date:** [June 13, 2006, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ther-bird-is-the-word/360337/21 "2006-06-13T05:50:39Z")

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The precursor to the song “Surfin’ Bird” was “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow.” by the [Rivingtons](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:2tkmu3u5an5k~T1).

And from this site [http://www.hotplatters.com/obits/2005/1205.html](http://www.hotplatters.com/obits/2005/1205.html) we learn there’s even more to this story. (Scroll to the bottom)

> [@](#):
>
> [Footnote: Before the end of 1963, a Minnesota garage rock group called The Trashmen recorded a medley of “Papa” and “Bird” and released it as “Surfin’ Bird.” Good news is that it was a Top Ten pop hit. Bad news was The Trashmen claimed to have written it. The Rivingtons eventually won the lawsuit and their names now sit underneath the song whenever it gets reissued.

I just thought I’d give the _proper_ credit to where it is due.  
Everyone forgets the Rivingtons.

I wonder if the lawsuit trial was a riot with people trying to discuss the nuances of each song. LOL

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