# If life is a rock and the radio rolls me... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 30, 2002, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975 "2002-03-30T22:52:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/421 "2002-04-25T01:56:42Z")
**deb2world** - Today’s lesson is: Know thy source - the ‘Short Shorts’ (a larger, looser version of what would be known as ‘hot pants’) bit is from “Purple People Eater” (Sheb Wooley, 1958) (yes, I have it - ON 45) “Purple People Eater” is disqualified on 2 counts: a) it was a ‘novelty’, and they don’t count b) _IT’S BEEN BLOODY DONE_ ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/422 "2002-04-25T03:19:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by happyheathen \* > \*\ ***deb2world** - > > Today’s lesson is: > > Know thy source - > > the ‘Short Shorts’ (a larger, looser version of what would be known as ‘hot pants’) bit is from “Purple People Eater” (Sheb Wooley, 1958) (yes, I have it - ON 45) "Know thy source ": Weeeell, actually: “Who wears short shorts We wear short shorts They’re such short shorts We like short shorts”,: And so on is by The Royal Teens, which I have on a 45. The bit in “Purple People Eater” was a small clip that was extracted from “Short Shorts” later. Short Shorts;January, 1958, Purple People Eater; May, 1958. ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/423 "2002-04-25T03:23:21Z")
But the slackers remain - you know who you are… “She said she believes in Robin Hood and brotherhood and colors of green and gray And all you can do is laugh at her doesn’t anybody know how to pray Arizona, take off your rainbow shades Arizona, have another look at the world Arizona, cut off your Indian braids Arizona, why dontcha go my way Strip off your pride; your acting like a teeny-bopper run away child Strip off the paint from the face of a little child saint Arizona, take off your hobo shoes Arizona, why dontcha go my way?” ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/424 "2002-04-25T03:55:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by happyheathen \* > \*\*Released since 1955 > > Over 1,000,000 sold at retail > > Yes, C/W probably does warrent a separate thread (especially since _I_ don’t know many. > > Also, we have been avoiding disco - another thread-in-waiting > > Maybe leave this one to pop/rock/r&b? > > “Blue, navy blue, > I’m as blue as I can be > My steady boy said ‘Ship Ahoy’ > And joined the Naaa-aa–veee” > > (have no idea who did it - don’t want to know) > > [sub]I’ll be nice and NOT point out that ‘C/W dreck’ is redundant…[/sub] \*\* Sorry, I have to tell you that the little lady that sang that one was Diane Renay. And she managed to crank it to number 6 in the winter of 1964 when The Beatles were, in the words of the good folks at [Allmusic.com](http://Allmusic.com) “chewing up the charts.” She had a followup, “Kiss Me, Sailor” which made the top 30. By the way, I leave for a week or so and come back to find you all are doing incredibly well “Me 'hats off to the duke!” I don’t THINK this one has been here yet… Worries, worries pile up on my head Woe is me I should have stayed in bed Can’t get the car my marks ain’t been so go-o-ood My love life just ain’t swingin’ like it shou-ou-ould ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/425 "2002-04-25T04:26:05Z")
"Well, I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes \ Before I knew there would be a time \ When I would buy a brand-new 409 \ Nothing can catch her, Nothing can touch her, My 409…" ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/426 "2002-04-25T04:26:27Z")
en-ga-land swings like a pendulum do bobbies on bicycles two by two ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/427 "2002-04-25T04:38:00Z")
Yep, us old fogies tend to be “history teachers” who harp on ancient music because we were young and vital when it was happening and are in denial because we’re not – and it ain’t – anymore. That being said, if it’s CAR DRECK you’re after… Spring, little Cobra, gettin’ ready to strike Spring, little Cobra, with all of your might Hey, little Cobra, don’t you know you’re gonna shut 'em down? ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/428 "2002-04-25T04:51:48Z")
Next up: Surfin’ Dreck 😃 Gonna save all my money (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out) and buy a GTO (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out) Get a helmet and a roll bar (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out) and I’ll be ready to go (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out) Take it out to Pomona (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out) and let ‘em know (turnin’ it on, blowin’ it out), yeah, yeah That I’m the coolest thing around Little buddy, gonna shut you down When I turn it on, wind it up, blow it out GTO ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/429 "2002-04-25T05:03:22Z")
**WHEEEE!** They come from Anaheim, Azusa, & Cucamonga too Sewing circle & book review The little old ladies wait in wild anticipation For the meetings of the double-A-C A-S-S-N For the Anaheim, Azusa, & Cucamonga Sewing Circle, Book Review, & Timing Association ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/430 "2002-04-25T05:30:59Z")
Suddenly, things here are running r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y, so I’m going to sign off for now. Sorry there’s no telling when I’ll be back, but let me leave you with… The heavies at the Pipeline are OK But they can’t match the savage surf at Waimea Bay It takes a lot of skill and courage unknown To catch a last wave and ride it in alone Ride, ride, ride the wild surf Ride, ride, ride the wild surf Ride, ride, ride the wild surf Gotta take that one last ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/431 "2002-04-25T05:36:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by happyheathen \* > \*\*“Purple People Eater” is disqualified on 2 counts: > > a) it was a ‘novelty’, and they don’t count\*\* Excuse me? Yes, it was a novelty, but if YOU check YOUR sources, you will find that _Purple People Eater_ was Number 1 in June 1958. Novelty songs that make it to the top 10 are exempted from the novelty song ruling. Otherwise, we’d lose such wonderful dreck as _Witch Doctor_ and _The Streak_… Now, for my Jan and Dean contribution… Grab your board & go sidewalk surfin’ with me Don’t be afraid to try the greatest sport around (Bust your buns, bust your buns now) It’s catchin’ on in every city & town You can do the tricks that surfers do Just try the Wise-a-moto or the Coff-in-2 Why don’t you grab your board & go sidewalk surfin’ with me? You’ll prob’ly wipe out when first try to shoot the curl (Bust your buns, bust your buns, yeah) Takin’ gas & a bush takes a lot of nerve Just watch for mopeds & pedestrians too They’ll bug you sharp cayabunga now & skate right on through Why don’t you grab your board & go sidewalk surfin’ with me? ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/432 "2002-04-25T05:47:50Z")
"I’m gonna wake you up early Cause I’m gonna take a ride with you We’re going down to the Honda shop I’ll tell you what we’re gonna do Put on a ragged sweatshirt I’ll take you anywhere you want me to First gear (Honda Honda) it’s alright (faster faster) Second gear (little Honda Honda) I lean right (faster faster) Third gear (Honda Honda) hang on tight (faster faster) Faster… it’s alright It’s not a big motorcycle Just a groovy little motorbike It’s more fun that a barrel of monkeys That two wheel bike We’ll ride on out of the town To any place I know you like"… “I better turn on the lights So we can ride my Honda tonight”… Kids! Now you know why the US was ripe for takeover by the 'British Invasion"! note: the “Honda” in question used a 50-80CC engine… ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/433 "2002-04-25T06:06:43Z")
If not for you babe, I couldn’t find the door Couldn’t even see the floor I’d be sad and blue if not for you. If not for you babe I’d lay awake all night Wait for the mornin’ light to shine in through But it would not be new If not for you. If not for you my sky would fall Rain would gather too Without your love I’d be no where at all I’d be lost if not for you And you know it’s true if not for you My sky would fall Rain would gather too Without your love I’d be nowhere at all Oh what would I do if not for you. ---
**Author:** ![deb2world](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@deb2world](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deb2world)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/434 "2002-04-25T06:16:18Z")
**happyheathen** “Short Shorts” song I remember listening to from my mothers “best of” album from Readers Digest. They had it as a single song and “Purple People Eater” also a single song. I say it stands. _One month ago today, I was happy as a lark But now I go for walks to the movies maybe to the park…_[more talking dreck]\* Have you seen her, tell me have you seen her. \* This next number makes me nauseous just thinking about _Me and Mrs., Mrs. Jones Mrs. Jones Mrs. Jones Mrs. Jones we’ve got a thing going on_ ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/435 "2002-04-25T15:54:22Z")
**Rico -** love songs are not NECESSARILY dreck. Concentrate! Love, love will keep us together Think of me babe whenever Some sweet talkin’ girl comes along, singin’ a song Don’t mess around, you just gotta be strong (and it goes downhill from there) [sub]I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/436 "2002-04-25T16:08:32Z")
cant let this thread slip off the front page! i just perused happy heathens list and i CANNOT BELIEVE no one has mentioned the brilliant ouevre of kc and the sunshine band. thats the way (uh huh uh huh) i like it (uh huh uh huh)… When you take me by the hand, tell me I’m your lovin man When you give me all your love and do it Babe, the very best you can… sheer brilliance… ive got a lot more. keep it comin’ love! ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/437 "2002-04-25T16:11:57Z")
happy, you gotta lotta nerve for berating the ric-ster about olivia newton-frickin-john when you had the temerity to add stevie wonder to the list. man oh maneschewitz! ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/438 "2002-04-25T16:49:10Z")
**SV** “If Not For You” is a friggin’ DYLAN song. First Beatles, and now Dylan - wait 'til he runs across ‘The Weight’ or ‘Hey Jude’ "There’s got to be a morning after if we can hold on through the night We have the chance to find the sunshine, let’s keep on looking for the light. Oh, can’t you see the morning after? It’s waiting right outside the storm Why don’t we cross the bridge together, and find a place that’s safe and warm. It’s not too late, we should be giving Only with love can we climb It’s not too late, not while we’re living Let’s put our hands out in time…" ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/439 "2002-04-25T16:55:10Z")
olivia covered a dylan song? eeewww… whoda thunk? i assert that bob dylan is the most-covered artist in popular music. no one even close. ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975/440 "2002-04-25T17:29:33Z")
"By your side, satisfied Through and through Cause I was born to be with you \ Do I find Peace of mind Yes I do Cause I was born to be with you All life through Yes, I was born to be with you" [sub]don’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning…[/sub] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-life-is-a-rock-and-the-radio-rolls-me/100975.md?page=23)