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Mon 15 May, 2006 05:15 am
A couple of days ago, I was listening to an "oldies" station. They played a song that was one that I really liked as a kid. It was sung by Doris Day, and was very upbeat and sprightly.
Quote:A GUY IS A GUY
- words and music by Oscar Brand
- adapted from the naughty World War II soldiers' song "A Gob Is A Slob".
Brand cleaned up the lyrics. "A Gob Is A Slob" was based on the 1719
British song "I Went To the Alehouse (A Knave Is A Knave)"
- lyrics as recorded by Doris Day in 1951
I walked down the street like a good girl should
He followed me down the street like I knew he would
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen and I'll tell you what this fella did to me
I walked to my house like a good girl should
He followed me to my house like I knew he would
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen while I tell you what this fella did to me
I never saw the boy before
So nothin' could be sillier
At closer range his face was strange
But his manner was familiar
So I walked up the stairs like a good girl should
He followed me up the stairs like I knew he would
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen and I'll tell you what this fella did to me
I stepped to my door like a good girl should
He stopped at my door like I knew he would
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
So listen while I tell you what this fella did to me
He asked me for a good-night kiss
I said, "It's still good day"
I would have told him more except
His lips got in the way
So I talked to my ma like a good girl should
And Ma talked to Pa like I knew she would
And they all agreed on a married life for me
The guy is my guy wherever he may be
So I walked down the aisle like a good girl should
He followed me down the aisle like I knew he would
Because a guy is a guy wherever he may be
And now you've heard the story of what someone did to me
And that's what he did to me
Besides the fact that this song is terribly old fashioned, I realized that it would never "fly" today. The song was about stalking, and sexual harrassment, wrapped up in a pretty pink package. It illustrated the totally different attitudes and mores between men and women in the fifties, compared to the present time.
Can you think of a song that was popular years ago, that really shows its age, by the different attitude, or ways of thinking, that it espouses?
Want to go to jail, guys? Try this.
Standing on the Corner - The Four Lads, I think
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Brother you don't know a nicer occupation
Matter of fact, neither do I
Than standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
I'm the cat that got the cream
Haven't got a girl but I can dream
Haven't got a girl but I can wish
So I'll take me down to Mainstreet
And that's where I select my imaginary dish
Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by
Standing on the corner giving all the girls the eye
Brother if you've got a rich imagination
Give it a whirl, give it a try
Try standing on the corner watching all the girls
Watching all the girls, watching all the girls go by
Saturday and I'm so broke
Haven't got a girl and no joke
Still I'm living like a millionaire
When I take me down to Mainstreet
When I take me down to Mainstreet
And I review the harem
Parading for me there
Standing on the corner
Watching all the girls go by
Standing on the corner
Underneath the springtime sky
Brother, you can't go to jail
For what you're thinking
Or for the woo look in your eye
You're only standing on the corner
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls
Go by
Reading those lyrics over, I think maybe it was as much the attitude as the words made me think of it that way. I don't know if it is really that different now.
Here's a classic from 1959, made popular in 1965, that I'm sure we'll all recognize. I'll just quote the most pertinent bits:
ROLPH:
...You need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am seventeen going on eighteen
I'll take care of you!
LIESEL:
...I need someone older and wiser
Telling me what to do
You are seventeen going on eighteen
I'll depend on you!
Good one, shapeless. There was an attitude in the "olden days" that the guy in the relationship had to be older. That put him in the superior position. It WAS relevent at 17-18, because girls mature faster, but really did not matter amongst two adults.
I remember that some young people were embarrassed if the woman were the older person in the couple.
What's the song/scene from Carousel which accepts wife-beating as "normal"?
...and one for all you Peeping Toms.
When I'm Cleaning Windows
George Formby
- as recorded September 27, 1936 by George Formby (1904-1961)
Now I go cleanin' windows to earn an honest bob
For a nosy parker it's an interestin' job
Now it's a job that just suits me
A window cleaner you would be
If you can see what I can see
When I'm cleanin' windows
Honeymoonin' couples too
You should see them bill 'n coo
You'd be surprised at things they do
When I'm cleanin' windows
In my profession I'll work hard
But I'll never stop
I'll climb this blinkin' ladder
Till I get right to the top
The blushin' bride, she looks divine
The bridegroom he is doin' fine
I'd rather have his job than mine
When I'm cleanin' windows
The chambermaids' sweet names I call
It's a wonder I don't fall
My mind's not on my work at all
When I'm cleanin' windows
I know a fella, such a swell
He has a thirst, that's plain to tell
I've seen him drink his bath as well
When I'm cleanin' windows
Oh, in my profession I'll work hard
But I'll never stop
I'll climb this blinkin' ladder
Till I get right to the top
Pyjamas lyin' side by side
Ladies nighties I have spied
I've often seen what goes inside
When I'm cleanin' windows
(Groovy banjo instrumental bit)
(More banjo - just as groovy)
(back to the song)
Now there's a famous talkie queen
She looks a flapper on the screen
She's more like eightie than eighteen
When I'm cleanin' windows
She pulls her hair all down behind
Then pulls down her... never mind
And after that pulls down the blind
When I'm cleanin' windows
In my profession I'll work hard
But I'll never stop
I'll climb this blinkin' ladder
Till I get right to the top
An old maid walks around the floor
She's so fed up, one day I'm sure
She'll drag me in and lock the door
When I'm cleanin' windows
When I'm cleanin' windows
Of course, we mustn't forget that Dads were totally under appreciated in those days.
DON'T JUMP OFF THE ROOF, DAD
Tommy Cooper - 1961
Daddy came home from work tired
His boss had been driving him mad.
The kids were all shouting, the dog bit him too
His dinner was nothing but boiled over stew.
I guess it was then he decided
Up to the rooftop he'd go
He was about to jump off when
The kids started howling below
'Don't jump off the roof, Dad
You'll make a hole in the yard
Mother's just planted petunias
The weeding and seeding was hard
If you must end it all, Dad
Won't you please give us a break
Just take a walk down the park, Dad
And there you can jump in the lake.'
Of course, all the girls were called "Chicks", "Doll"....or in this case "Little Doll".
One thing remains pretty constant though.....the extremely sophisticated methods that men use, to romantically woo their dates.
COME OUTSIDE - 28/06/1962
2 weeks at #1 - 19 weeks on chart
Little doll we've been jiving all night long
(Little doll)
Little doll gotta feeling something's wrong
(Little doll)
Coz it aint right to wanna keep on dancing
There won't be any time left for romancing
Come outside, come outside
There's a lovely moon out there
Come outside, come outside
While we got time to spare
Little doll it seems ages since we kissed
(Little doll)
Little doll think of all the fun we've missed
(Little doll)
Coz it aint right to wanna keep on dancing
There won't be any time left for romancing
Chorus (her voice in brackets)
Come outside, (what for) come outside (whats the rush)
There's a lovely moon out there (it's cold outside)
Come outside, (why) come outside (you do keep on)
While we got time to spare (I want another twist)
Now I went and promised your old man
That we'd be home about half past ten
Seems we've got just one more jive
Then we'll be starting home again
Come outside,(get lost) come outside (go and ask lil)
There's a lovely moon out there (you can go off people)
Come outside, (give over) come outside (belt up)
While we got time to spare (why don't you listen to the beat)
Little doll I know the band ain't bad
(Little doll)
Little doll I'm a-getting kinda mad
(Little doll)
Coz it aint right to wanna keep on dancing
There won't be any time left for romancing
Come outside,(lay off) come outside (shove it)
There's a lovely moon out there (you are a one)
Come outside,(all right) come outside (not for too long)
While we got time for a bit of slap and tickle (I'll slap and tickle you in a minute)
Oh come out for a bit of.................
Another quality thread Phoenix...I hope to contribute
The Lemon Song (still acceptable t certain bars)
)
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