The following year, it became a hit, reaching number seven in Billboard magazine's Rhythm & Blues chart[1] and introduced the style to a national audience.

[4] Singer and music writer Billy Vera commented on the song's lyrics: "The song featured some of the same kind of broken Cajun-isms as Hank Williams's 'Jambalaya'":[7] Eh toi ... You see me there, well I ain't no fool I'm one smart Frenchman never been to school Wanna get somewhere in a Creole town You stop and let me show you your way 'round You let the bon ton roula, you let the moolay boolay Now don't you be no fool-ay, you let the bon ton roula The song's success prompted Garlow to record subsequent renditions.

"Bon Ton Roula" (with a variety of spellings) has been recorded by several artists often associated with Louisiana music, including Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias, Phillip Walker, and BeauSoleil.

Blues-rocker Johnny Winter, a native of Garlow's adopted home of Beaumont, Texas, also recorded a version for his Raisin' Cain album in 1980.

[10] Producer Chris Strachwitz notes "You will perhaps recognize the song as 'Let the Good Times Roll', which in recent years has become an R&B standard".