Its driving rhythm and simple, infectious lyrics are cited as early influences on the development of rock and roll.
The song’s success was pivotal in the mid-1940s, influencing several genres:
The title itself is a scat phrase. It follows a tradition of "nonsense" syllables in jazz popularised by artists like Cab Calloway and Louis Armstrong.
Lionel Hampton’s career was defined by hits like "Flying Home" and "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop." These songs allowed him to maintain one of the longest-running and most popular big bands in jazz history. The song remains a staple for choral arrangements and jazz ensembles today.
