( * featuring The Backroom Boys )
Chart entered: 7 December 1991
Hands up who remembered we hadn't said goodbye to this guy yet !
This was Frank's first hit for quarter of a century. He had a hot streak in 1962-3 with four number ones in less than a year but quickly fell away thereafter as the beat groups took charge. He continued releasing records mainly in a country and western style until the mid-seventies. In 1976 , he came last in the British heats for the Eurovision Song Contest and that seems to have prompted him to stop making records. Frank continued to tour until 1983 when he suffered a bout of pneumonia that severely damaged his lungs. With singing now being difficult for him, he became a TV and radio host in Australia and a promoter of Australian country music.
"The Yodelling Song" was originally titled "She Taught Me To Yodel" and was on the B-side of his second number one "Lovesick Blues". I haven't been able to find out who The Backroom Boys were. I'm guessing they were an Australian production group who sought Frank's permission to rework the song as a dance track. As a novelty electronic dance song it's well done with the rhythm track synchronised closely with Frank's original vocal. It's difficult to dislike but you wouldn't want to hear it too often.
In recent years, Frank's been well enough to tour again but, as you might expect. there's at least as much recounting as singing at his shows. He turns 80 a month from today.
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