Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree 17 weeks in the top 40 of the Hot 100 in 1973 Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree. It’s been three long years. Do ya still want me? If I don’t see a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree I’ll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree · Dawn · 1973   Play the song.    Download MP3: Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree Lyrics   (Read the lyrics while you listen to the track.)

Dawn consisted of Tony Orlando, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Wilson. Their popular version of Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree was a hit aroud the world. The song, itself, was one of the most recorded songs of the rock era, with well over 1000 cover versions.

Well, whether or not it is a true story, it is a popular American folk story. The song based on the tale was a #1 hit for four weeks in 1973, in both the U.S. and the U.K. (It topped the Australian chart for seven weeks.) In 1973, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” was the top selling single for the year in both America and Britain.

Tony Orlando and Dawn’s “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” can be found on the album “Knock Three Times - 20 Greatest Hits“.

Tony Orlando and Dawn CDs

I’m comin’ home, I’ve done my time.
Now I’ve got to know what is and isn’t mine.
If you received my letter telling you I’d soon be free,
then you’ll know just what to do
if you still want me.

If you still want me —

Oh, tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree.
It’s been three long years.
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don’t see a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree
I’ll stay on the bus,
forget about us,
put the blame on me —
if I don’t see a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree.

Bus driver, please look for me,
’cause I couldn’t bear to see what I might see.
I’m really still in prison.
And my love, she holds the key.
A simple yellow ribbon’s what I need to set me free.

I wrote and told her please —

Oh, tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree.
It’s been three long years.
Do ya still want me? (still want me)
If I don’t see a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree
I’ll stay on the bus,
forget about us,
put the blame on me —
if I don’t see a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree.

Now the whole damned bus is cheerin’.
And I can’t believe I see
a hundred yellow ribbons ’round the ole oak tree.

I’m comin’ home, mmm, mmm

(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree)

(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree)
(Tie a ribbon ’round the ole oak tree) . . .

[fade]

June 30th, 2011

Love Letters In The Sand   •   You Light Up My Life   •   Somethin’ Stupid I think that I am one of the luckiest men on earth because I am the father of daughters. (You know what they say: “…My daughter’s my daughter…”, well, more about that in a minute.) In the past, a couple of lucky dads shared the honor of having songs in the number 1 spot on the Billboard singles charts with their daughters. Here are some number one pop oldie hits from some fathers and their daughters: Pat Boone, Debby Boone, and Frank & Nancy Sinatra.

Love Letters in the Sand

You made a vow that you would ever be true. But somehow that vow meant nothing to you. On a day like today, we passed the time away writing love letters in the sand. Love Letters in the Sand   · Pat Boone · 1957       Play the song.   Read the lyrics. Download MP3   •   Pat Boone CDs Pat Boone .MP3s

“Love Letters in the Sand” was was the most successful, chart topping pop single for Pat Boone. It is a very simple tune written by Nick and Charles Kenny and J. Fred Coots. The song previously charted at number 6 for Ted Black in 1931. Pat Boone’s #1 singles.

You Light Up My Life You light up my life. You give me hope to carry on. You light up my days, and fill my nights with song. So many nights I’d sit by my window, waiting for someone to sing me his song. So many dreams I kept deep inside me, alone in the dark, but now you’ve come along. You Light Up My Life · Debby Boone · 1977       Play the song. Read the lyrics.

Pat Boone and his wife, Shirley, have four daughters in all and Debby was the third. Her recording of “You Light Up My Life” topped the Hot 100 in October 1977. She won a Grammy award for Best New Artist. Download MP3   •   Debby Boone CDs Debby Boone .MP3s

“You Light Up My Life” dominated the pop chart for 10 weeks. It also topped the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at number 4 on the Country chart. Debby Boone’s #1 singles.

Find “Love Letters in the Sand” on the collectible cd “The Best of Pat Boone: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection“.

Debby Boone’s “You Light Up My Life” is on the collectible cd “The Best of Debby Boone“.

	The Father of the Bride You know what they say: “My son’s my son until he gets him a wife. But my daughter’s my daughter all of her life.“ video clip   Flash Video		I Loved Her First I made this video myself. It features the music of Heartland and photos from my younger daughter’s wedding, but it is the way I feel about both of my girls. -DeeJay video   Flash Video

DVD: Father of the Bride (1950) or via amazon Instant Video

DVD: Father of the Bride (1991)

MP3: I Loved Her First

How you laughed when I cried
each time I saw the tide
take our love letters from the sand.

You made a vow that you would ever be true.
But somehow that vow meant nothing to you.

Now my broken heart aches
with every wave that breaks
over love letters in the sand.

Now my broken heart aches
with every wave that breaks
over love letters in the sand.

So many nights I’d sit by my window,
waiting for someone to sing me his song.
So many dreams I kept deep inside me,
alone in the dark,
but now you’ve come along.

And you light up my life.
You give me hope to carry on.
You light up my days,
and fill my nights with song.

Rollin’ at sea, adrift on the water,
could it be finally I’m turning for home?
Finally, a chance to say,
“Hey, I love you.”
Never again to be all alone.

And you light up my life.
You give me hope to carry on.
You light up my days,
and fill my nights with song.

‘Cause you …
You light up my life.
You give me hope to carry on.
You light up my days,
and fill my nights with song.

It can’t be wrong
when it feels so right.
‘Cause you …
You light up my life.

I know I stand in line
until you think you have the time
to spend an evening with me.
And if we go someplace to dance
I know that there’s a chance
you won’t be leaving with me.

And afterwards,
we drop into a quiet little place
and have a drink or two.

And then I go and spoil it all
by saying something stupid like, “I love you.”

I can see it in your eyes
that you despise the same old lies
you heard the night before.
And though it’s just a line to you,
for me it’s true,
and never seemed so right before.

I practice every day
to find some clever lines to say
to make the meaning come true.
But then I think I’ll wait
until the evening gets late
and I’m alone with you.

The time is right.
Your perfume fills my head.
The stars get red, and oh the nights so blue.

And then I go and spoil it all
by saying something stupid like, “I love you.”

The time is right.
Your perfume fills my head.
The stars get red, and oh the nights so blue.

And then I go and spoil it all
by saying something stupid like, “I love you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
….[Fade]

Do You Believe In Magic   •   This Magic Moment   •   Magic Moments There is magic in music, and you can find magic in the moments that make up the memories of a lifetime. (Especially when those magic moments are filled with love.) Here are some magic oldie moments from The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jay & The Americans, and Perry Como.

Do you believe in magic?

The magic’s in the music, and the music’s in me. Do you believe in magic in a young girl’s heart? (How the music can free her, whenever it starts.) And it’s magic, if the music is groovy. It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie. Do You Believe In Magic   · The Lovin’ Spoonful · 1965   Play the song.   Read the lyrics. Download MP3   •   The Lovin’ Spoonful CDs The Lovin’ Spoonful .MP3s

John Sebastian wrote this song, and his jug-band rock group, The Lovin’ Spoonful, released it on their debut album, Do You Believe In Magic. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the fall of 1965.

Sweeter than wine. Softer than a summer night. Forever, ’til the end of time! This magic moment, so different and so new, was like any other until I kissed you. And then it happened. It took me by surprise. I knew that you felt it too, by the look in your eyes. This Magic Moment · Jay and the Americans · 1969   Play the song. Read the lyrics.

“This Magic Moment” was a #6 hit for Jay (Black) and The Americans in early 1969. Jay Black was the second (and most successful) of the three “Jays” that were lead singers for the group. Download MP3   •   Jay & The Americans CDs Jay & The Americans .MP3s

“This Magic Moment” was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. The Drifters version of “This Magic Moment” had previously charted at #16 in 1960.

Find “This Magic Moment” on the collectible cd “Come a Little Bit Closer: Jay and The Americans“.

Perry Como’s “Magic Moments” is on the collectible cd “Magic Moments: Best of Perry Como“.

Time can’t erase the memory of these magic moments filled with love! The telephone call that tied up the line for hours and hours . . . The Saturday dance I got up the nerve to send you some flowers . . . Magic Moments · Perry Como · 1958   Play the song.       Read the lyrics. Download MP3   •   Perry Como CDs   •   Perry Como .MP3s

Perry Como was a fixture on the NBC television network when I was a kid. Prior to that he had been a radio singer and a highly prolific and successful recording artist for RCA. Previous to that he was a singer for a dance band, and before that he had been a barber. “Magic Moments” was the “B” side of “Catch a Falling Star” which was a #1 chart topper on the Billboard Jockey chart in January, 1958. “Magic Moments” peaked at #4.

Past Article Perry Como Hot diggity dog! (August 4, 2008)

Listen to: Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) · Perry Como · 1956 (And some other “Dog” tunes for the hot, Dog Days of Summer.)

If you believe in magic, don’t bother to choose
if it’s jug band music or rhythm and blues.
Just go and listen; it’ll start with a smile.
It won’t wipe off your face, no matter how hard you try.
Your feet start tapping and you can’t seem to find
how you got there, so just blow your mind!

If you believe in magic, come along with me.
We’ll dance until morning ’til there’s just you and me.
And maybe, if the music is right,
I’ll meet you tomorrow, sort of late at night.
And we’ll go dancing, baby, then you’ll see
how the magic’s in the music and the music’s in me.

Yeah, do you believe in magic?
Yeah, believe in the magic of a young girl’s soul.
Believe in the magic of rock and roll.
Believe in the magic that can set you free.
Ohh, talking ’bout magic.

  Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
  Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe, believer?
  Do you believe like I believe?
Do you believe in magic?
[Fade]

This Magic Moment,
so different and so new,
was like any other
until I kissed you.

And then it happened.
It took me by surprise!
I knew that you felt it too
by the look in your eyes.

Sweeter than wine . . . (sweeter than wine)
Softer than a summer night . . . (softer than a summer night)
Everything I wanna have . . . (everything, everything)
Whenever I hold you tight . . .

This Magic Moment, (this Magic Moment)
while your lips are close to mine,
will last forever,
forever, ’til the end of time!

(this Magic Moment)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
(this Magic Moment)
Oh-oh-oh-oh

Sweeter than wine . . . (sweeter than wine)
Softer than a summer night . . . (softer than a summer night)
Everything I wanna have . . . (everything, everything)
Whenever I hold you tight . . .

This Magic Moment, (this Magic Moment)
while your lips are close to mine,
will last forever, (this Magic Moment)
forever, ’til the end of time! (Magic)

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (Magic)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh (Magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (Moment)

Oh-oh-oh-oh (Magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (Magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (Magic)
Oh-oh-oh-oh (Moment)

(Magic) oh-oh-oh . . .
(Magic) oh-oh-oh . . .
[Fade]

Magic Moments – when two hearts are caring . . .
Magic Moments – memories we’ve been sharing . . .

I’ll never forget the moment we kissed the night of the hayride . . .
The way that we hugged to try to keep warm while takin’ a sleigh ride . . .

Magic Moments – memories we’ve been sharing . . .
Magic Moments – when two hearts are caring . . .

Time can’t erase the memory of
these Magic Moments filled with love!

(whistling . . .)

The telephone call that tied up the line for hours and hours . . .
The Saturday dance I got up the nerve to send you some flowers . . .

Magic Moments – memories we’ve been sharing . . .
Magic Moments – when two hearts are caring . . .

Time can’t erase the memory of
these Magic Moments filled with love!

The way that we cheered whenever our team was scoring a touchdown . . .
The time that the floor fell out of my car when I put the clutch down . . .

The penny arcade, the games that we played, the fun and the prizes . . .
The Halloween hop when everyone came in funny disguises . . .

Magic Moments . . .
Filled with love!

(whistling . . .)

Gulf Coast Hideaway         Bolivar Ferry Ever since my children were young our family has endeavored to have an annual beach week vacation on the Texas Gulf coast. At first it was just our immediate family. Then as the girls grew older, some of their friends were included in the annual trips. And as the kids began to have families of their own, it became an extended-family vacation, sometimes with friends invited. Nature didn’t always cooperate. In June 1986, we were in Galveston when a small hurricane—Bonnie—made land fall at High Island, Texas. It wasn’t a major storm, but we packed up and went inland to Austin, San Marcos, and San Antonio for a few days, then went back to the beach and had a great time. A few years later in 2008, because of different family member’s activities, beach week was scheduled for mid-September. That year, Hurricane Ike, a major storm, destroyed the upper Texas coast on the day before the week when our beach house reservations were scheduled. And there were a few times when bad economies, layoffs, and other things beyond our control intervened. But most years, despite the reputation we have among our friends for attracting bad weather, we have been lucky and the annual event has gone according to plan. We have a favorite place on the coast, and it is one of Texas’ big secrets. It is the Bolivar Peninsula, and it is the strip of land that along with Galveston Island, protects Galveston Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. It is a popular destination for beach goers from both the Houston and Beaumont areas of the state. If you are driving, there are really only two ways to get there. From the northeast, and the Beaumont area, make your way to state highway 87. From Houston, the best way to get to highway 87 is via the free Bolivar Ferry from Galveston.

When you do get there, you will find yourself at the sea shore and in small town, rural Texas at the same time. It is amazing.

The community is Crystal Beach right there on highway 87. On the Gulf side are neighborhoods of beach homes, dunes and the beautiful broad beach. On the opposite side is East Bay with its canal homes, marina, and access to the Intercoastal Waterway.

Listen to the Crystal Beach songs

Swedes Real Estate The most trusted name for beach house rentals on the Bolivar Peninsula. Vacation property rentals Residential and commercial real estate sales Vacation rental investment property Property managing vacation rentals

CrystalBeach.com   •   Crystal Beach Live Web Cams

The old Bolivar Point Light House protected refugees in the 1900 hurricane and was the visual setting for the 1970 film “My Sweet Charlie” starring Patty Duke and Al Freeman, Jr.

It’s coastal Texas and Texas music The following two songs are both inspired by the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas. (No charted oldies this time.) The artists are Texans too. First, the Houston based Fowler Brothers are longing for their Gulf Coast Hideaway. Then Beaumont native and Texas blues piano master Ezra Charles takes us for a cruise on the Bolivar Ferry.

Gulf coast hideaway I should go down to Crystal Beach I’ll board the ferry on to Bolivar, feed the sea gulls on the way, and I’ll be waiting on that sunrise in my Gulf coast hideaway. Gulf Coast Hideaway The Fowler Brothers · 2008   Play the song. Read the lyrics.

Most of the sea gulls that accompany the Galveston / Bolivar ferries on day trips across the channel (while begging for hand-outs) are Laughing Gulls, (Larus atricilla.)     Listen to the “song” of Laughing Gulls

The Fowler Brothers trio are Jim Fowler, Steve Fowler, and Tony Kozel.

Buy their cds at MyTexasMusic.com   •   TheFowlerBrothers.com

“Bolivar Ferry” by the Houston based Ezra Charles band is on the collectible cd “Beaumont Boy“.

Download MP3   •   Ezra Charles CDs   •   Ezra Charles .MP3s   •   EzraCharles.com

That Bolivar Ferry was my love boat cruise that didn’t cost a single dime. "When asked what my favorite song is that I've written, I usually say this one, because it's such a complete mini-movie in its story, and seems very unified musically to me, with a tip of the hat to Professor Longhair." Bolivar Ferry · Ezra Charles · 2001   Play the song.       Read the lyrics.

Past Articles SPF 20 20 Summer Party Favorites (June 10, 2008)

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer · Nat King Cole · 1963 · #6 Summertime · Rick Nelson · 1962 The Tide Is High · Blondie · 1980 · #1 Theme From “A Summer Place” · The Lettermen · 1965 · #16 The Seashores of Old Mexico · George Strait · 2006 · #11 (Country) Margaritaville · Jimmy Buffett · 1977 · #8 Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka-dot Bikini · Brian Hyland · 1960 · #1 Kokomo · The Beach Boys · 1988 · #1 Vacation · Connie Francis · 1962 · #9 Under The Boardwalk · The Drifters · 1964 · #4

A Summer Song · Chad & Jeremy · 1964 · #7 Evangeline · Chad Brock · 1998 · #51 (Country) Marianne · The Hilltoppers · 1957 · #3 An American Dream · Nitty Gritty Dirt Band · 1980 · #13 Summer In The City · The Lovin’ Spoonful · 1966 · #1 Surf City · Jan and Dean · 1963 · #1 The Lady In The Blue Mercedes · Johnny Duncan · 1979 Love In The Hot Afternoon · Gene Watson · 1975 In The Summertime · Mungo Jerry · 1970 · #3 Some Beach · Blake Shelton · 2004 · #1 (Country)

I should go down to Crystal Beach.
I should be making plans today.
It’s getting crazy here in Houston.
I really need to break away.

And there’s a beach house on the front row,
and I should be there spending time.
I’m talking midnight on the gulf coast
with the windows open wide.

And doing 65 on 45,
well, it won’t take me very long
’til I’ll be crusin’ into Galveston.
I’ll hit the Strand and have some fun.

I’ll board the ferry on to Bolivar,
feed the sea gulls on the way,
and I’ll be waiting on that sunrise
in my gulf coast hideaway.

I need to sit out on that balcony
and hear the rhythm of the waves.
There’s not a lot that I will do there,
but I’ve been counting down the days.

A book or two in case it rains:
Leon, Heller, Hemmingway,
my old guitar, a fishing pole.
I’m packing up to go away.

And doing 65 on 45,
well, it won’t take me very long
’til I’ll be crusin’ into Galveston.
I’ll hit the Strand and have some fun.

I’ll board the ferry on to Bolivar,
feed the sea gulls on the way,
and I’ll be waiting on that sunrise
in my gulf coast hideaway.

I’ll board the ferry on to Bolivar,
feed the sea gulls on the way,
and I’ll be waiting on that sunrise
in my gulf coast hideaway.

Yes, I can almost see that sunrise
in my gulf coast hideaway.

The weather hung heavy in a low gray cloud
like a woman just about to cry.
I said, “Why don’t we go out for the afternoon
down to Galveston and give it a try.”
So I threw all her things in the back of my car,
and we headed off down to the beach.
I had the beer on ice, and the top was down,
and paradise was in our reach.

Now when you go down to the Island on a holiday
you’re bound to find quite a crowd.
The freeway was clogged, and the beach was too.
And the seawall was way too loud.
But I knew to keep on driving to the end of the road
’til I spotted a familiar sight.
It was a line of cars waiting single file
for the ferry coming in on the right.

That Bolivar Ferry was my love boat cruise
that didn’t cost a single dime.
A twenty minute ride off to Crystal Beach,
and she’d be ready for a grand old time.

So we laid out on the sand and we drank those brews
’til the sun was headed west.
I never got her out of that wet t-shirt,
but you know I must have tried my best.
Now when we headed off to home, and I cranked the key,
there was nothing but a clicking sound.
With that radio blasting all afternoon long,
I musta run the battery down!

Now by the time I found a wrecker who could jump us off
I’d have to say we lost the mood.
Yeah, my die-hard had been drained to the very last drop,
and I knew her parents could get rude.
Well it was way after dark when she pay-phoned home,
and we still had the channel to cross.
But we made the most of that cruise back home,
So it wouldn’t be a total loss.

Yeah, that Bolivar Ferry was my love boat cruise
that didn’t cost a single dime.
A twenty minute ride off to Crystal Beach,
and she’d be ready for a grand old time.

So won’t you throw all your things in the back of my car,
and we’ll head off down to the beach.
We’ll put the beer on ice, and the top goes down.
And paradise is in our reach.
Yeah, we’ll put the beer on ice, and the top goes down.
And paradise is in our reach.

Little does she know that when she left that day, along with her she took my heart. Rain, please tell me now does that seem fair for her to steal my heart away when she don’t care? I can’t love another when my heart’s somewhere far away. Rhythm of The Rain · The Cascades · 1963   Play the song.     Read the lyrics.   Download MP3

Rhythm Of The Rain was written by Cascades band member John Gummoe.

The record peaked at number three on the Billboard™ Hot 100 and was number one on the Easy Listening chart. It also peaked at number five in Great Britain and number one in Ireland.

“Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain” by the Judds is on the collectible cd “The Greatest Hits“.

Download MP3   The Judds CDs

Slide on over, baby, hold me closer. Movin’ to and fro, just swayin’ like a slow freight train– rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain. Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain · The Judds · 1986   Play the song.       Read the lyrics.

From the Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits by Tom Roland:

"Rockin' With The Rhythm" was tailor-made for the Judds. [Songwriter and producer, Brent Maher] lived five minutes from the house they used to own in Franklin, Tennessee, and when he came over, he frequently found the Judd clan rocking in their front porch swing. The awning was made of tin, and they loved to sit out on the porch whenever a gentle rain appeared. Brent brought that little scenario out during conversation the first time he got together with [co-writer Don Schlitz] to write.

"We didn't have any ideas whatsoever to write with," Maher recalls. "I'd never written with Don, and we didn't know much about each other, other than the stuff we'd heard. That was the first tune that we'd ever written together. We sat down and just kind of talked for a couple of minutes. I started playin' that kind of a shuffle groove, and Don said, 'What's that? I love that.'

"We really wrote that one fast. That song probably didn't take an hour and a half to write. It literally fell out...and even at that stage, I really felt that that would be a big record for them. It was just so right for the Judds."

It certainly was right for the Judds. “Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain” took the top spot on the country chart on August 9, 1986. And a few weeks later, in October, the Rockin’ with the Rhythm album went platinum.

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain–
telling me just what a fool I’ve been.
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain,
and let me be alone again.

The only girl I care about has gone away,
looking for a brand new start.
But little does she know that when she left that day,
along with her she took my heart.

Rain, please tell me now does that seem fair
for her to steal my heart away when she don’t care?
I can’t love another when my heart’s somewhere far away.

The only girl I care about has gone away,
looking for a brand new start.
But little does she know that when she left that day,
along with her she took my heart.

Rain, won’t you tell her that I love her so!
Please ask the sun to set her heart aglow.
Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow.

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
telling me just what a fool I’ve been.
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain,
and let me be alone again.

Oh, listen to the falling rain.
Pitter patter, pitter patter…
Oh, oh, oh, listen, listen to the falling rain…
Pitter patter, pitter patter…

Sittin’ in the porch swing,
listenin’ to the light rain
beatin’ on the tin roof,
baby, just-a me and you–
rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.

Slide on over.
Baby, hold me closer.
Movin’ to and fro,
just swayin’ like a slow freight train–
rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.

So let the breeze keep blowin’…
  (Rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain that’s fallin’)
  (Night birds are singin’, the crickets are callin’)
Oh, my heart will never be the same.
Keep the sweet feelin’, flowin’…
  (Whisper in my ear, baby, ooh, feels so fine)
  (Nights like this come once in a lifetime)
me and my baby rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.

Oh, baby, hold me tight.
Say, hey, hey, you love me.
That’s all I wanna hear tonight.

Sittin’ in the porch swing,
listenin’ to the light rain
beatin’ on the tin roof,
baby, just-a me and you–
rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.

Slide on over.
Baby, hold me closer.
Movin’ to and fro,
just swayin’ like a slow freight train–
rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.


So let the breeze keep blowin’…
  (Rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain that’s fallin’)
  (Night birds are singin’, the crickets are callin’)
Oh, my heart will never be the same.
Keep the sweet feelin’, flowin’…
  (Whisper in my ear, baby, ooh, feels so fine)
  (Nights like this come once in a lifetime)
me and my baby rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain.

Me and my baby rockin’ with the rhythm of the rain…

In mythology, Venus was the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. In art, she was famously represented in Botticelli’s “The Birth Of Venus” and in many other paintings and sculptures. And in the pop music of 1962, she was a teenage cutie in blue jeans.

Download MP3: Venus

Venus Venus, if you will, please send a little girl for me to thrill. A girl who wants my kisses and my arms. A girl with all the charms of you. It was a petition to the goddess of love. Peaking in the fall of 1959, the song was “Venus” written by Ed Marshall. The singer was Frankie Avalon. The record spent five weeks in the #1 position. Venus · Frankie Avalon · 1959   Play the song.     Lyrics   (Read the lyrics while you listen to the track.)

Frankie Avalon’s “Venus” is currently available on the cd “Frankie Avalon - 25 All Time Greatest Hits“. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1959.

Frankie Avalon CDs

My Venus in blue jeans is everything I hoped she’d be–
A teenage goddess from above, and she belongs to me!

“Venus in Blue Jeans” was written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller. It was a number seven hit song for Jimmy Clanton in mid-1962.

Venus In Blue Jeans · Jimmy Clanton · 1962

  Play the song.   Lyrics   (Read the lyrics while you listen to the track.)    

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On CD: Venus in Blue Jeans · Jimmy Clanton CDs

Past Articles Various Artists Old-fashioned love songs (January 8th, 2009)

Listen to: An Old Fashioned Love Song • Three Dog Night • 1971 You Don’t Know Me • Eddy Arnold • 1956 On The Verge • Collin Raye • 1997 My Love • Petula Clark • 1966 Honey • Bobby Goldsboro • 1968 Daisy a Day • T.G. Sheppard • 2004 Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love • B.J. Thomas • 1983

Yeah, baby, she’s got it

There already had been a chart topping song with the title “Venus” back in 1959. About twenty years later another “Venus” would occupy the #1 spot on the Hot 100. This one was written by Dutch musician Robbie van Leeuwen. His group, the Shocking Blue, recorded it and it went to number 3 on the Dutch top 40 in the summer of 1969. Then it went to number one in Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and Germany. “Venus” topped the Billboard chart in February, 1970. In Holland, “Venus” re-entered the top 40 because of its American success—and peaked at number three again. In this country, it was their only top 40 charting song.

The British female pop group Bananarama covered it in the eighties, resulting in another international number one hit. (However, it only reached #8 in the UK.)

MP3: Venus (Shocking Blue)   •   MP3: Venus (Bananarama) On CD: Venus · Shocking Blue CDs     •     On CD: Venus · Bananarama CDs

Hey, Venus.
Oh, Venus.

Venus, if you will,
please send a little girl for me to thrill–
a girl who wants my kisses and my arms,
a girl with all the charms of you.

Venus, make her fair,
a lovely girl with sunlight in her hair.
And take the brightest stars up in the skies
and place them in her eyes for me.

Venus, goddess of love that you are,
surely the things I ask
can’t be too great a task.

Venus, if you do,
I promise that I always will be true.
I’ll give her all the love I have to give
as long as we both shall live.

Venus, goddess of love that you are,
surely the things I ask
can’t be too great a task.

Venus if you do,
I promise that I always will be true.
I’ll give her all the love I have to give
as long as we both shall live.

Hey, Venus.
Oh, Venus.
Make my wish come true.

My Venus in blue jeans
is the Cinderella I adore.
She’s my very special angel too–
a fairy tale come true.

They say there’s seven wonders in the world,
but what they say is out of date.
There’s more than seven wonders in the world.
I just met number eight.

My Venus in blue jeans
is everything I hoped she’d be–
a teenage goddess from above.
And she belongs to me!

My Venus in blue jeans
is everything I hoped she’d be–
a teenage goddess from above.
And she belongs to me!

A goddess on a mountain top
Was burning like a silver flame,
The summit of beauty and love,
And Venus was her name.

She’s got it,
Yeah, baby, she’s got it.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.

Her weapons were her crystal eyes
Making ev’ry man mad.
Black as a dark night she was,
Got what no one else had.
Wow!

She’s got it,
Yeah, baby, she’s got it.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!

She’s got it,
Yeah, baby, she’s got it.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.
Well, I’m your Venus,
I’m your fire at your desire.

Turn! Turn! Turn! The chart topper with the oldest lyrics To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven Turn! Turn! Turn! · The Byrds · 1965   Play the song.       Read the lyrics     Read Ecclesiastes 3

Pete Seeger wrote the music and and a few of the words, but the lyrics from “Turn! Turn! Turn!” come mostly from the Bible. The tune made the rounds with folk singers. Then in December 1965, this version by The Byrds topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.

Find it on the 1965 album “Turn! Turn! Turn!“.

Download the MP3   The Byrds CDs

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late

Henson Cargill had been a deputy sheriff in his native Oklahoma before establishing himself as an entertainer in Las Vegas. From there, he made some trips to Nashville, but without much success. But a third trip proved to be the charm. He ran into a fellow that he had known back in Oklahoma City. The other former Oklahoman, Tom Hartman, had been a disc jockey back in the Sooner state. In Nashville, Hartman was pitching songs to singing artists for Tree Publishing. He introduced Cargill to “Skip a Rope.” And despite some industry doubts about the song, Henson Cargill recorded it, and he promptly became an “overnight sensation.”

Skip a Rope Listen to the children while they play. Now ain’t it kinda funny what the children say? Some other singers had flat turned it down. Johnny Cash was interested, but like most of the 1960s Nashville establishment, he was leery of the song because of its content. (The lyrics blamed such things as dishonesty and racism on parents.) Cash was quite willing to let the upstart singer take a chance on recording the song. Only one label was willing to take a chance on publishing it: Monument Records. It turned out to be a good investment, though. The record was a big success. Within ninty days of the song’s release, “Skip a Rope” had sold more than 500,000 copies. It stayed at number one on the Billboard country charts for five straight weeks and also hit number 25 on the pop charts. Skip a Rope · Henson Cargill · 1968   Play the song.     Lyrics   (Read the lyrics while you listen to the track.)

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Henson Cargill’s “Skip a Rope” is currently available on the cd “A Very Well Traveled Man“. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country chart for five weeks in 1968.

Henson Cargill CDs

A playground in my mind

Clint Holmes Clint Holmes was born in England, the son of an American jazz musician and an English opera singer. He grew up Buffalo, New York. His big song was his #2 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart “Playground In My Mind” in 1973. It is a nursery rhyme-styled song featuring Holmes duetting with producer Paul Vance’s son Philip on the chorus. “Playground In My Mind” was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, released in the U.S. in July 1972 and stayed in the Billboard chart for 23 weeks.

“Playground In My Mind” is his only charted hit, making it a “One-Hit Wonder.”

Playground In My Mind · Clint Holmes · 1973

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On CD: Playground In My Mind · Clint Holmes CDs

More One-Hit Wonders Various Artists Those one hit wonders! (April 22nd, 2008)

Listen to: Afternoon Delight • Starland Vocal Band • 1976 Seasons in the Sun • Terry Jacks • 1974 Dominique • The Singing Nun • 1963 One Tin Soldier (The Legend Of Billy Jack) • Coven • 1971

Ring around the rosie.
Pocket full of dreams and posies.

Whereas “Skip a Rope” presented children spreading ideas of bigotry and dishonesty on the playground, “Rebecca Lynn” does quite the opposite. The lesson here is one of love and life-long commitment. The song, written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson, and recorded by Bryan White, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in early 1996.

Rebecca Lynn · Bryan White · 1996   Play the song.    

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“Daddy hates mommy, mommy hates dad.
(Last night you should’ve heard the fight they had.)
It gave little sister another bad dream.
She woke us all up with a terrible scream.”


Skip a rope,
skip a rope.
Oh, listen to the children while they play.
Now, ain’t it kinda funny what the children say?
Skip a rope.

“Cheat on your taxes, don’t be a fool!
Now what was that they said about a golden rule?
Well, never mind the rule. Just play to win.
And hate your neighbor for the shade of his skin.”


Skip a rope,
skip a rope.
Oh, listen to the children while they play.
Now, ain’t it kinda funny what the children say?
Skip a rope.

Stab ‘em in the back that’s the name of the game.
(And mommy and daddy are who’s to blame.)

Skip a rope,
skip a rope.
Just listen to your children while they play.
(It’s really not very funny what your children say.)
Skip a rope,
skip a rope.
Skip a rope.

“My name is Michael.
I’ve got a nickel.
I’ve got a nickel, shiny and new.
I’m gonna buy me all kinds of candy!
That’s what I’m gonna do.”


Oh, the wonders that I find

in the playground in my mind.
In a world that used to be,
close your eyes and follow me–
where the children laugh, and the children play.
And we sing a song all day.

“My girl is Cindy.
When we get married, we’re gonna
have a baby or two.
We’re gonna let them visit their grandma.
That’s what we’re gonna do.”

See the little children
living in a world that I left behind.
Happy little children
in the playground in my mind.
See the little children.
See how they play, so happy, in the playground in my mind.
La la la la la la la la la…

(A quiet girl, with green eyes full of fire,
her daddy’s pride, and all her mama’s charm.)

Rebecca Lynn became my heart’s desire
‘long about the start of second grade.

Mrs. Rosenbloom let me sit beside her.
So we passed notes, and after school we played.

Singing,
“Ring around the rosie.
Pocket full of dreams and posies.
Patty cake, a bakers man.
Tag you’re it, kick the can.”


And I think I hear my mama callin’.
Gotta go.

(Man, I loved her so.)

High school days, me and Becky learning
what it really means to be in love:

(Give and take. Holding back, for heaven’s sake.
And fightin’ for a week, then makin’ up.)

I said please, “Becky, won’t you marry me?”
(Prom night in my car out by the curb.)

She was so surprised! First she laughed, and then she cried.
And somewhere in my heart I’m sure I heard:

“Ring around the rosie.
Pocket full of dreams and posies.
Patty cake, a bakers man.
Tag you’re it, kick the can.”


Mama flashed the porch light for me.
Gotta go.

(Man I loved her so.)

Laura Jean was born in Tennessee.
Now that’s a common little miracle I know.

But for me and Becky Lynn she’s the dream that started
when we fell in love so many years ago.

Singing,
“Ring around the rosie.
Pocket full of dreams and posies.
Patty cake, a bakers man.
Tag you’re it, kick the can.”


And I think I hear your mama callin’.
Gotta go.

(Oh, man I loved her so.)

Competing against Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly for the top spot on the charts, Pat Boone didn’t think the pretty but slow-moving arrangement of “April Love” was commercial enough to be a hit. The title song to his film April Love was written for Boone by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster, Academy Award winners for “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing” and “Secret Love.” “I was honored,” says Pat, “but at the same time it didn’t sound commercial. In the heyday of rock and roll, what chance did a sweet simple little song have? “In the recording session, I said to Billy Vaughn, who arranged it, we need something to goose this song up a little bit. I said we need something to make it sound important.” Pat thought the proper intro would say that something was about to happen, so he sat down and wrote the ten notes that open the song. (Source: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits)

April Love April Love is for the very young (and it can slip right through your fingers) The movie April Love is a remake (with music) of an earlier film Home in Indiana. Pat Boone stars as Nicky, a young petty criminal who is sent, on parole, to work on a Kentucky horse farm. There in the beautiful Lexington, Kentucky countryside, he meets a girl, Liz, played by Shirley Jones. He takes an interest in her and in training trotters. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award. The song was a number one hit on the Billboard Top 100, Best Seller and Disc Jockey charts in 1957. It peaked at #7 in the UK. Press the play button, below, and hear the notes that open the song. April Love · Pat Boone · 1957   Play the song.     Lyrics   (Read the lyrics while you listen to the track.)

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Pat Boone’s “April Love” is currently available on the cd “Best of Pat Boone“. The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Disc Jockey chart (for six weeks) and the Best Seller chart (for two weeks) in 1957.

Pat Boone CDs

Where the boys are!

Connie Francis made her acting debut in MGM’s Where The Boys Are Released to theaters earlier in the winter, Where The Boys Are eventually inspired thousands of additional American college students to head to Fort Lauderdale for their annual spring vacation.     Dolores Hart played the role of Merritt Andrews in Where The Boys Are. It was one of 10 movies she made in 5 years. (Including 2 with Elvis Presley.) At age 25, she retired from acting and became a Roman Catholic Nun, taking her final vows in 1970.

Where The Boys Are is a movie about four college co-eds going on spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The MGM picture was one of the first teen films to explore adolescent sexuality and the changing sexual morals and attitudes among American college youth in the 1960s. Each of the four girls has her own spring vacation agenda. Merritt (Dolores Hart) is the smart and assertive leader of the group. As the film opens, she expresses the opinion that premarital sex might be okay. That eventually inspires insecure Melanie (Yvette Mimieux) to lose her virginity soon after the girls arrive in town. Tuggle (Paula Prentiss), however, seeks to be a “baby-making factory.” All she needs is a man to join her in marriage. Angie (Connie Francis) rounds out the group as a girl clumsily looking for romance. The boys include actors George Hamilton, Jim Hutton and Frank Gorshin. The girls find their beliefs challenged throughout the film. Merritt meets a suave Ivy Leaguer named Ryder (George Hamilton) and realizes she’s not ready for sex. Melanie discovers that the boy she thought loved her was only using her. Tuggle quickly fixes her focus on the goofy TV Thompson (Jim Hutton), but becomes disillusioned when he becomes enamored with an older “mermaid” swimmer/dancer (Barbara Nichols). Angie stumbles into love with the eccentric jazz musician Basil (Frank Gorshin). Merritt, Tuggle and Angie’s adolescent boy seeking holiday quickly evaporates when they discover Melanie in her distressed state.

Watch a 1960 movie trailer for Where The Boys Are on youtube.com.  

Rent “Where the Boys Are“ (Amazon Instant Video)   Watch the movie instantly on your PC, Mac, compatible TV or device.

Where The Boys Are · Connie Francis · 1961

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¡Escucha (en español)! Listen to Connie’s Spanish version of “Where The Boys Are“.     …the rest of the story…

Download MP3: Where The Boys Are

On CD: Where The Boys Are · Connie Francis CDs

Past Articles Connie Francis It’s a brand new year, and now who’s sorry? (April 9, 2008)

Listen to: Who’s Sorry Now • Connie Francis • 1958 Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool • Connie Francis • 1960 My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own • Connie Francis • 1960

Donde Hay Chicos · Connie Francis · 1961 (Spanish)

  Toca la canción.  

* This youtube video of the Spanish version of “Where The Boys Are”: Donde Hay Chicos has (following it) a 1964 television clip of Connie singing her Italian/English version of ”Al Di La.” A beautiful bonus!

Past Articles Various Artists Saturday night at the movies (February 28, 2009)

Listen to more hit music from these movies: • Saturday Night Fever • Tammy and the Bachelor • Endless Love • Jailhouse Rock   • The Man Who Knew Too Much • The Woman In Red • High Society • The Graduate

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she’s the one don’t let her run away

Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she’s the one don’t let her run away

In the crowd of a million people I’ll find my valentine
And then I’ll climb to the highest steeple and tell the world he’s mine

Till he holds me I wait impatiently
Where the boys are, where the boys are
Where the boys are, someone waits for me

Till he holds me I wait impatiently
Where the boys are, where the boys are
Where the boys are, someone waits for me

For all April fools…

Send In The Clowns · Judy Collins · 1975

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Judy Collins’ version of Send In The Clowns peaked at position #36 in 1975, and was reissued in 1977. The second time, it topped out at #19 and was on the top 40 of the Hot 100 for a couple of months.

Send In The Clowns   ·   Judy Collins CDs

Speaking of clowns, Why do fools fall in love? (April 1, 2009)

Listen to: Why Do Fools Fall In Love • Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers • 1956 Poor Little Fool • Ricky Nelson • 1958 Fools Rush In • Rick Nelson • 1963

It certainly wasn’t the first time a songwriter used the word “clown” to refer to a fool. Brothers Don and Phil Everly wrote and recorded a song about a clown to use as a single for their new label (Warner Brothers.) “Cathy’s Clown” became their biggest U.S. hit ever, topping the Hot 100 for five weeks in May, 1960.

It was the first single in the rock era to simultaneously top the charts in both America and Great Britain. It was also the Everly Brothers’ most successful British single—it was on top the longest (seven weeks).

Listen to Cathy’s Clown versions by the Everly Brothers and Reba McEntire

The Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown” is available on the album “The Everly Brothers - All-Time Greatest Hits“. The single peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960. Reba McEntire’s “Cathy’s Clown” is from her album “Sweet Sixteen“. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country chart in 1989.

Everly Brothers: Cathy’s Clown   ·   Everly Brothers CDs   ·   Reba McEntire: Cathy’s Clown   ·   Reba McEntire CDs

Different artists present different points of view

Cathy’s Clown · The Everly Brothers · 1960         Lyrics   (Read the lyrics to both versions while you listen to the track.)

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In July, 1989, Reba McEntire recorded a version of “Cathy’s Clown” for her Sweet Sixteen album that topped the U.S. Country chart.

Cathy’s Clown · Reba McEntire · 1989         Lyrics  (Read the lyrics to both versions while you listen to the track.)

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Isn’t it bliss?
Don’t you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can’t move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I’d stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don’t you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you’d want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.
Don’t bother, they’re here.

Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year…