This song is based on "Buffalo Gals", a song from the 19th century. It tries very hard to sound like Elvis - possibly too hard.
Ray Smith (1934-1979) was from Melber, Kentucky and was a moonshine bootlegger as a teenager. He recorded for a number of labels during his career but hit the charts only once, with "Rockin' Little Angel", which reached #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over three million copies.
Smith continued his performing career and eventually relocated to Burlington, Ontario, Canada. In 1979, he (trigger warning ahead) shot himself to death, leaving behind his wife and three children. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame website (now gone, but faithfully archived) had a detailed biography and interviews of him.
Created March 2, 2026.