# Cal Worthington's jingle: What's the source? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 1999, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250 "1999-08-18T22:11:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 1999, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/1 "1999-08-18T22:11:00Z")
I live in California, where Cal Worthington has had dealerships for many years. On TV in the last 25 years or so, his commercials include a jingle which goes, in part, “When you come out on the lot Better watch our for old Spot If he gets a little hot Go See Cal.” I’ve heard the tune with other lyrics elsewhere, of course; and more recently on the Dr. Demento show there was a song titled “I Was Born Ten Million Songs Ago,” performed by Steve Bruce. But I don’t know the original tune’s title. ---
**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 1999, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/2 "1999-08-18T23:12:00Z")
“If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!” or something like that. It’s one of those stupid “participation” songs they make you sing at Summer Camp. ---
**Author:** ![EnigmaOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EnigmaOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnigmaOne)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/3 "1999-08-19T00:08:00Z")
{{{“If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!” }}}—PapaBear :::Groan::: Please! No more reminders of the lions, tigers, bears, chimps and cars on rotating platforms…been hatin’ that guy’s commercials for more’n 20 years now. “Take the 605 to the 91 and off at Bellflower Boulevard–and you’re in Hell.” * * * – **Kalél** (The Original **EnigmaOne** ) _Common ¢ for all ages._ ---
**Author:** ![RTA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@RTA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTA)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/4 "1999-08-19T00:46:00Z")
Always with the babes and wild animals, was old Cal. Him and his white cowboy hat. The one I always remember is: “Pete Ellis Dodge, Long Beach Free-way, Firestone Exit, Southgate; Pete Ellis Dodge, Long Beach Free-way, Firestone Exit, Southgate!!!” ---
**Author:** ![According\_to\_Pliny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/5 "1999-08-19T01:00:00Z")
I actually considered buying a car from Cal just so I could hold him to his promise: “I’ll eat a bug to sell you a new or used car or truck!” ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/6 "1999-08-19T01:24:00Z")
So did he Papa? Say, didn’t Cal go to jail for a few years some time back? I vague remember something along that line. Hmm ---
**Author:** ![Pickman\_s\_Model](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Pickman\_s\_Model](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pickman_s_Model)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/7 "1999-08-19T01:37:00Z")
Good God! I remember Cal Worthington had a dealership in Anchorage, Alaska when I was up there in the Air Force back in the Old Stone Age. And yes, he had the same old cheesy song: “If you’re lookin’ for a deal, go see Cal…” Actually, I’m shocked to hear the crooked old bastard is still in business. ---
**Author:** ![EnigmaOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EnigmaOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnigmaOne)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/8 "1999-08-19T08:51:00Z")
{{{“Pete Ellis Dodge, Long Beach Free-way, Firestone Exit, Southgate; Pete Ellis Dodge, Long Beach Free-way, Firestone Exit, Southgate!!!”}}}—RTA :::Writhing in agony::: Remembering Cormier Chevrolet, Felix Ford and Toyota of Orange… Chorus: No you won’t get a lemon, Dupe: “I won’t get a lemon?” Chorus: …at Toyota of Orange!" ```auto "Honey! Where's the Phenobarb?" ------------------ -- **Kalél** (The Original **EnigmaOne** ) *Common ¢ for all ages.* ``` ---
**Author:** ![EnigmaOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EnigmaOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnigmaOne)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 1999, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/9 "1999-08-19T09:05:00Z")
I just remembered the most pitiful ad slogan of all time, but i can’t remember if it was Yucca Valley Chrysler or Hi-Desert Ford Lincoln Mercury. The owner and his wife would appear onscreen with their trusty dog–IIRC it was a shepard mix–and say, “Give us a chance!” Yeah, right. * * * – **Kalél** (The Original **EnigmaOne** ) _Common ¢ for all ages._ ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/10 "1999-08-20T04:30:00Z")
I think he did go to jail, but I don’t know how long ago. I know he was in business in the 60s. His own website is [www.calworthington.](http://www.calworthington.) com and on it he says he has been in business for 52 years–and he looks it! Actually, I pity him, no matter how much money he has–you can’t buy off the Grim Reaper. I heard about two Southern California dealers I think went to jail: The Yeakel brothers, and H. J. Caruso. I heard another car-dealer jingle from the 60s or 70s, sung by actress Molly Bee \*(The Chartroose Caboose): \* “Stanley, Stanley, Stanley Chevrolet Two blocks off the Santa Ana Freeway One-One-Nine-Eight-Oh, East Firestone Stanley Chevrolet!” (followed by a sliding organ chord). And: Is the camp song “stupid” because it doesn’t happene to be in today’s top 40? Just because something isn’t ‘on the charts’ doersn’t make it “stupid.” ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 1999, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/11 "1999-08-20T05:04:00Z")
Excuse me–that should be: [www.calworthington.com](http://www.calworthington.com) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 1999, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/12 "1999-08-25T23:49:00Z")
To Pickman’s Model: Worthington still does have a dealership in Alaska! ---
**Author:** ![Misanthrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Misanthrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misanthrope)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 1999, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/13 "1999-09-12T23:07:00Z")
Cal Worthington used to have a dealership in Houston in the 1980s. I always thought “Go see Cal” sounded too much like “Pussy cow.” * * * D’oh ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy\_Greg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Cowboy\_Greg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy_Greg)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/14 "1999-09-13T00:01:00Z")
Aieeeee! No! Make the jingles STOP! 😉 The current loathesome jingle is the one for Cerritos Auto Square. I’ve decided that if I need a car, they’re the LAST place on earth I’m going. * * * Someday we’ll look back on this, laugh nervously, and change the subject… ---
**Author:** ![Therealbubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@Therealbubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Therealbubba)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/15 "1999-09-13T00:57:00Z")
This is great. I was born and raised in Northridge, but moved away in '78. I can’t believe these same jingles are still around. Any of you guys remember Ralph Williams in Encino? I’ve got a license plate frame from there up in the attic. Heard once that it was worth a few bucks. Anyone got any info on that? Therealbubba ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/16 "1999-09-13T05:34:00Z")
I cannot believe Cal is still at it! He has been doing that same song _forever._ I remember he used to pronounce the car model/brand Celica (Selica? sp?) _Cee_lica. Weird. Anyone remember the jingle for Colton Piano and Organ? “Who would have thought we could have a piano…of our own?..” I think they went out of business many years ago, but that damn jingle still haunts me. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 1999, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/17 "1999-09-17T20:11:00Z")
I logged onto Worthington’s website and actually downloaded his dialog, with the song playing! Hey, I _like_ it! To the same tune (referring to a comical DJ on LA radio for many years): Oh, let’s shed a tear for dear old Gary Owens He is carrying our banner all alone There is never going to be No more Seventh Cavalry [!] If you fool around with dear old Gary Owens! * * * “If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 1999, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cal-worthingtons-jingle-whats-the-source/8250/18 "1999-09-23T19:40:00Z")
Steven Bruce’s lyrics went something like this: I was born about ten million songs ago I’m the guy what first invented Rock ‘n roll I saw Peter, Paul & Mary Singin’ “Puff, the Magic Fairy” And I’ll dose the guy who doesn’t like my show! A verse went: I told Goodman he should write about a train I told Brian Wilson not to go insane I taught high notes to Del Shannon I had Fleetwood learn “Rhiannon” And I tried to keep poor Buddy off the plane! [:(] * * * “If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge