About The Song
“The Streak” is a novelty song written, produced, and performed by Ray Stevens. It was released in February 1974 (some sources list March 27, 1974) as the lead single from his album Boogity Boogity on Barnaby Records. The B-side was “You’ve Got the Music Inside.” The track runs 3 minutes and 18 seconds and was recorded in 1973.
Stevens first encountered the idea while reading a news magazine article about streaking during a flight from Nashville to Los Angeles. He began making notes for a song on the plane and later completed additional lines after returning home. When streaking reports became widespread in the news, he finished the composition, recorded it quickly, and prepared it for release. By the time the single appeared, approximately 15 other streaking-themed records had already been issued, with estimates of 35 to 40 such titles circulating overall.
The single entered the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1974. It reached number one for the weeks of May 18, May 25, and June 1, 1974, holding the top position for three weeks. It ranked number 8 on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart for 1974. On the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart it peaked at number 3. It also reached number 12 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. Cash Box listed it at number one.
Internationally the single topped the UK Singles Chart for one week in June 1974 and spent 12 weeks on that chart. It reached number one on the Canadian RPM Top Singles, RPM Country Tracks, and RPM Adult Contemporary charts, as well as the New Zealand chart. It peaked at number 2 in Australia (Kent Music Report) and Ireland, number 26 in Denmark, and number 43 in Germany. Total international sales exceeded five million copies. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold for one million units shipped in the United States.
The parent album Boogity Boogity was released in 1974 and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 159 on the Billboard 200. Stevens handled production himself. The recording features spoken-word news-reporter segments alternating with sung choruses, characteristic of Stevens’ novelty style. A high-profile streaking incident at the 46th Academy Awards on April 2, 1974, occurred shortly after the single’s release and contributed to public attention surrounding the topic.
Stevens had previously scored a number-one Hot 100 hit with “Everything Is Beautiful” in 1970. “The Streak” became his second Hot 100 number one and one of his most commercially successful releases. Chart archives confirm the three-week run at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in May–June 1974, the number-3 country peak, the UK number-one placement, and the gold certification. Production and writing credits are listed solely to Ray Stevens on official releases.
Session and release documentation place the recording in 1973 and the commercial single issue in early 1974 on the Barnaby label. The song later appeared on various compilation albums. A 1999 duet version with Jewel of an unrelated Haggard song shares no connection; the 1974 original remains the definitive commercial recording of this title. These details are corroborated by Billboard chart data, UK Official Charts Company records, RIAA certification listings, and contemporary accounts of the song’s writing and release timeline.
Video
Lyric
Hello, everyone, this is your action news reporter With all the news that is news across the nation On the scene at the supermarket There seems to have been some disturbance here Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened? Yeah, I did I's standin' over there by the tomaters And here he come Runnin' through the pole beans, through the fruits and vegetables Nekkid as a jaybird And I hollered over t' Ethel I said, "Don't look, Ethel!" But it's too late She'd already been incensed (Here he comes) Boogity, boogity (There he goes) Boogity, boogity (And he ain't wearin' no clothes) Oh yes, they call him the Streak (Boogity, boogity) Fastest thing on two feet (Boogity, boogity) He's just as proud as he can be of his anatomy He gon' give us a peek Oh yes, they call him the Streak (Boogity, boogity) He likes to show off his physique (Boogity, boogity) If there's an audience to be found He'll be streakin' around Invitin' public critique This is your action news reporter once again And we're here at the gas station Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened? Yeah, I did I's just in here gettin' my tires checked And he just appeared outta the traffic Come streakin' around the grease rack there Didn't have nothin' on but a smile I looked in there and Ethel was gettin' her a cold drink I hollered, "Don't look, Ethel!" But it was too late She'd already been mooned Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers (He ain't crude) Boogity, boogity (He ain't lewd) Boogity, boogity (He's just in the mood to run in the nude) Oh yes, they call him the Streak (Boogity, boogity) He likes to turn the other cheek (Boogity, boogity) He's always makin' the news Wearin' just his tennis shoes Guess you could call him unique Once again, your action news reporter In the booth at the gym Covering the disturbance at the basketball playoff Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened? Yeah, I did I's just sittin' here mindin' my own business Watchin' the game When out of the corner of my eye I seen somethin' flash And I looked up and here he come Out of the locker room Through the players Through the cheerleaders Nekkid as a jaybird And I hollered, "Don't look, Ethel!" But it was too late She'd already been... Ethel! Is that you, Ethel? What do you think you're doin'? You get your clothes on!