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Lyr Req: Pink Shoelaces (and other novelty songs)

27 Jul 04 - 09:01 PM (#1235193)
Subject: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Does anyone remember the verses to this song? We thought we did. Can't find them here or on Google. Several references but no words. It was sung by Jodie Stevens in 1959. A huge hit. Used as the title for a play. Can't think how we've forgotten the verses. We have this sudden urge to sing it.
The chorus goes:

He wore tan shoes and pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest and man oh man!
He has tan shoes and pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hatband.

We all remember that bit don't we. Please can anyone fill us in on the rest?


27 Jul 04 - 09:07 PM (#1235199)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

I always felt that there was a certain amount of crossover with "One Eyed One Horned Flying PURPLE PEOPLE EATER"...


27 Jul 04 - 09:16 PM (#1235212)
Subject: addpop: PINK SHOELACES (M. Grant)
From: SINSULL

PINK SHOELACES
(M. Grant)

Now I've got a guy and his name is Dooley
He's my guy and I love him truly
He's not good lookin', heaven knows
But I'm wild about his crazy clothes

He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest and man, oh, man
He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

He takes me deep-sea fishin' in a submarine
We got to drive-in movies in a limousine
He's got a whirly-birdy and a 12-foot yacht
Ah, but thats-a not all he's got

He's got tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest and man, oh, man
He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band


Now Dooley had a feelin' we were goin' to war
So he went out and enlisted in a fightin' corps
But he landed in the brig for raisin' such a storm
When they tried to put 'em in a uniform

He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest and man, oh, man
He wanted tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

Now one day Dooley started feelin' sick
And he decided that he better make his will out quick
He said "Just before the angels come to carry me
I want it down in writin' how to bury me."

A-wearin' tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest and man, oh, man
Give me tan shoes with pink shoelaces
And a big Panama with a purple hat band

ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh

And a big Panama with a purple hat band!!


27 Jul 04 - 09:32 PM (#1235218)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Thank you so much SINSULL. I knew someone would have it. It's even better than I remembered it.
Yes Foolestroupe, me too, but I can still remember all of The Purple People Eater. Joy


27 Jul 04 - 09:39 PM (#1235221)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

"I can still remember all of The Purple People Eater"

How sad for you Joybell... :-)


27 Jul 04 - 09:51 PM (#1235228)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

It sings so well. Purple People Eater. Well crafted song and topical. "He wears short shorts" Hot pants were all the rage just about then or were they a bit later? Anyway PURPLE was very IN. Elvis's baby had Presley Purple nappies (diapers) I recall. Joy


27 Jul 04 - 10:44 PM (#1235251)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

Purple People Eater was written by Shep Wooley (or was it Sheb? At any rate, the composer was the recently deceased American country-music personality, not the British performer with a very similar name who is still alive and well.)

Wonder if the same songwriter was responsible for "Tan Shoes..."? Sinsull, do you have that info (on sheet music or a record label)? I can't imagine that you were you able to recall that entire song from memory, but maybe you found a source from which to transcribe the lyrics that does not include the writer's credit.

I agree that the two songs do seem to share a common sensibility, although "Tan Shoes" is not nearly as deliberately comical as "People Eater."

Joybell, I believe the term "hot pants" came somewhat later, in the swingin' 60s. This tune dates back to the mid-to-late 50s, when the operative term for this scandalous new attire was "short shorts." There was a hit song "Who wears short shorts / We wear short shorts" that obviously came out shortly before PPE. The melody and (squeaky) vocal inflection of the single line "Who wears short shorts" in the recording of "People Eater" is copied directly from the earlier hit.


27 Jul 04 - 10:57 PM (#1235259)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Amos

He went on his way, and-a whaddya know?
I saw him last night on a TV show!
He was rockin' and rolling, really knockin' 'em dead
Blowing rock and roll music through the horn in his head!!


Ahh, memory...such a pastel era it was, them Fifties. Hawaii and Alaska joining the Union, the Purple People Eater and the Witch Doctor -- we had it good.


A


27 Jul 04 - 11:01 PM (#1235261)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Oh yes I remember "Who wears short shorts". PoppaGater. SINSULL says she found the words with a Google search. I tried that but using the words "tan shoes AND pink shoelaces" also "shoe laces". WITH is the operative word I now know. Joy


27 Jul 04 - 11:08 PM (#1235264)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Oops! and it was Dodie Stevens who wrote, as well as sang, "Tan Shoes etc." (I mistakenly called her Jodie) Thanks SINSULL. Joy


27 Jul 04 - 11:22 PM (#1235270)
Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: WITCH DOCTOR (David Seville)
From: JennyO

Ah yes, the Witch doctor. I just had to go and find all the words. There did seem to be a liking for novelty songs around that period. I've left it all spread out the way it was, because they've put guitar chords all through it:

WITCH DOCTOR
   E - A   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. I told the witch doctor, I was in love with you.
E - A - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I told the witch doctor, I was in love with you,
A - E - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A
And then the witch doctor, he told me what to do; he said that:

A D A E
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang.
A D E A
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang. (2x)

E - A
2. I told the witch doctor you didn't love me true.
E - A
I told the witch doctor you didn't love me nice.
A - E A
And then the witch doctor, he gave me this advice; he said that:

A D A E
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang.
A D E A
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang. (2x)

D A
You've been keeping love from me just like you were a miser,
D A
And I'll admit I wasn't very smart.
D A
So I went out and found myself a guy that's so much wiser,
B7 E
And he taught me the way to win your heart.

E - A
3. My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to say.
E - A
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to do.
A - E A
I know that you'll be mine when I say this to you:

A D A E
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang.
A D E A
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang. (2x)

D A
You've been keeping love from me just like you were a miser,
D A
And I'll admit I wasn't very smart.
D A
So I went out and found myself a guy that's so much wiser,
B7 E
And he taught me the way to win your heart.

E - A
3. My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to say.
E - A
My friend the witch doctor, he taught me what to do.
A - E A
I know that you'll be mine when I say this to you; oh, baby--

A D A E
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang.
A D E A
Ooh ee, ooh ah-ah, ting-tang, walla-walla bing-bang. (4x) ….
(capo 1st)

(David Seville)


28 Jul 04 - 03:23 AM (#1235345)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,foolestroupe

Thanks for 'Witch Doctor'

I always felt that PPE & Tan Shoes were musically similar.

Robin


28 Jul 04 - 03:50 AM (#1235354)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Steve Parkes

I've got Tan shoes sung by Alma Cogan, but I dont remember it as a hit in the UK (unlike PPE). Anyone recall a slightly earlier song about ... well, all my childish ear could distinguish was "Eine-kleine-fliegel-flugel ..." (and it was bird, I think).

Short shorts was a hit inthe 60s for Freddy & the Dreamers here. Can't remember who did Witch doctor, but I can still remember that!

Steve


29 Jul 04 - 03:46 AM (#1236124)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

Oh what the hell ! Gilly gilly ossenfeffer....nobody writes daft funny songs anymore.


29 Jul 04 - 03:48 AM (#1236127)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Steve Parkes

I sang Gilly Gilly at Bedford, and everyone joined in ...


29 Jul 04 - 03:50 AM (#1236129)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

..so they should. Music without humour and/or passion is pointless.


29 Jul 04 - 07:40 AM (#1236234)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: MARINER

Witch Doctor, in the U.K was by Don Lang and his Frantic Five. The original of Short Shorts, I'm not sure of, but was it The Royal Teens?? I think they had as a member someone who became famous in the 60s, Al Kooper or Mike Bloomfield, maybe, I'm not sure. Anyone know for sure?


29 Jul 04 - 08:06 AM (#1236241)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

I am! enjoying all this nostalgia. While we're at it remember?:

He said he had to work so I went to the show alone
They turned down the lights and turned the projector on
And just as the news of the world started to begin
I saw my darlin' and my best friend walk in....etc.

How many times has that exact same thing happened to you? Joy


29 Jul 04 - 08:16 AM (#1236249)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

I think short shorts was by the trade winds or somesuch. Could be wrong.


29 Jul 04 - 08:42 AM (#1236268)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: SINSULL

The Royal Teens.

Now how many remember"My Boomerang Won't Come Back!"?


29 Jul 04 - 08:51 AM (#1236272)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

WE'VE never forgotten that one. By the way I found an old picture of a group of Native Americans - Hopis I think, hunting with what look exactly like boomerangs. Is that so? Or was I seeing things? Joy


29 Jul 04 - 12:28 PM (#1236416)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennyO

Then there was "I feel like bread and butter, I feel like toast and jam...."

and one that went chewy chewy chewy chewy etc...


29 Jul 04 - 02:34 PM (#1236501)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Thanks for posting the lyrics, Sinsull--I put this song on a mix CD that I made for my (somewhat younger) wife--she did not like it at all. When I was a kid, I figured this guy was a brother or cousin of the guy in "He's A Rebel"--might have even been the same guy--


29 Jul 04 - 02:48 PM (#1236512)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

"I like bread and butter/I like toast and Jam" (or was it "*we* like"?) reminds me of another '50's novelty classic:

(Chorus:)
I like peanut butter
Creamy peanut butter
Crunchy peanut butter, too.

Well I went to a party and what did they ea-eat?
(Peanut, peanut butter)
Well it tastes so good but it's so hard to eat.
(Peanut, peanut butter)
Chorus

Maybe they didn't "rhyme" the same word with itself, but it went something like that. Anynoe remember any more?


29 Jul 04 - 03:19 PM (#1236525)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Little Robyn

My boomerang won't come back! I bought the 45 a few weeks back, for NZ$5!!! Charlie Drake is the 'singer' and on the other side is Please Mr Custer, I don't wanna go. Wonderful!

Look at 'em bushes out there.
They're moving.....

May be excused for the afternoon please?
Want to change my library book.

Oi Wyatt, duck your 'ead!
Opps. Bit late on that one son!

So many of those phrases became part of our family vocab.
Robyn


29 Jul 04 - 04:58 PM (#1236587)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

"Please Mr. Custer" was the "A" side here in the US -- or maybe it was the "A" side of a different record, different artist. Pretty humorous little ditty at any rate.

It did feature some politically incorrect "Injun" drumbeats and woo-woo-woo's, though; probably wouldn't be released to day!


29 Jul 04 - 09:26 PM (#1236774)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

"and one that went chewy chewy chewy chewy"

also..

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, I got Love in my Tummy,


I always wondered if she was pregnant... and just what HAD she been doing?


29 Jul 04 - 10:32 PM (#1236802)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

AND there was the Biker (Bikie to us) one.
"Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots"
We've got the sheet music somewhere. He also wore "a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back". Weren't they the days though? Joy


30 Jul 04 - 03:25 AM (#1236899)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

Hey, Poppagator. If you like I'll PM you the lyrics to those songs. Peanut Butter by the NU-beats and Peanut Butter by (I think) the Orlons. Or was it the Olympics. It may take a while to find them but I know I have them somewhere. All the best from the fB.


30 Jul 04 - 10:51 AM (#1237146)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: clueless don

SINSULL posted the lyrics to "Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces", but I remember them slightly differently. I can only remember the first verse, but based only on memory, the version that was a hit in the USA went:

Now, I've got a guy and his name is Julie
He's my guy, and I love him truly
He ain't handsome, goodness knows
But I'm just wild about his crazy clothes!

"Julie" was presumably short for "Julius".

A lot of songs from my youth discussed on this thread. Thanks to all for the memories.

Don


30 Jul 04 - 12:00 PM (#1237188)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Cool Beans

Indeed, Al Kooper was one of the Royal Teens but I believe it was after they recorded "Short Shorts," I believe. The original Royal Teen who went on to further musical fame was Bob Gaudio, singer and songwriter with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Last I read, he was working on a musical.
Dodie Stephens' real name was Geraldine Pasquale and I'm pretty sure it's Dooley, not Julie. Short for Doolius?


30 Jul 04 - 12:24 PM (#1237204)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennyO

A bunch of us just had fun in the chat room singing some of these old things. woooo-hoooooooo!!!!! Lets do it again soooon......


wo wo wo blooooooooooooooooo moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon..........


30 Jul 04 - 01:42 PM (#1237253)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

JennyO: Blue Moon by the Marcells! What a great doo-wop hit! I'm jealous -- maybe I'll have to invest in a microphone and do whatever you have to do to get in on that live audio chat. Think you could handle the background vocals while I sing lead on "In the Still of the Night" (rock/doo-wop tune, not the Cole Porter standard)?

Cool Beans: Speaking of famous characters who joined vocal groups (e.g., Al Kooper of the Royal Teens), and also speaking of the Four Seasons:

Did you know that actor Joe Pesci was a member (but not an original member) of the Four Seasons?

One more thing: I wholeheartedly agree that the guy with Tan Shoes & Pick Shoelaces was Dooley, not Julie.


30 Jul 04 - 01:53 PM (#1237262)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: SINSULL

Poppagator - in chat we don't use mics. Funny day - everyone posting lyrics sometimes to four different songs at a time. Still going on now. Although it has degenerated into Broadway Show Tunes.


30 Jul 04 - 03:17 PM (#1237334)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Please Mr Custer was a US hit for Larry Verne--as to Joe Pesci, I still don't know it--tell me why you think so--


30 Jul 04 - 04:32 PM (#1237388)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

re: Joe Pesci -- Sorry I can't footnote this interesting little sidelight; I've heard and/or read it more than once, via talk shows, magazines, etc., enough to satisfy myself that it's probably true.

First time I heard it, I thought he might be one of the voices heard on the various hits, but later got clarification that he joined later, after Frankie Valli had split to go solo. Didn't participate in any hit records, just sang live on the oldies-show circuit or whatever.

Both Joe and the group are from New Jersey -- that much can be documented. I realize that this is only vague circumstantial evidence, but it might serve to make the story a bit more believable.

SINSULL: IF you aren't dealing with mics or anything similar, how do you sing together? Just uses yall''s immaginations?


30 Jul 04 - 06:50 PM (#1237456)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Hey-I checked a bit myself and found the answers to a couple of our questions--Pesci was the one in the Royal Teens--this from Philadephia's Jerry Blavat, the Geator with the heater, July 14, 2004 newspaper column, Ask the Geator--he's has has been playing doowop on the radio forever--

Geator -

Read that Frankie Valli sang "Happy Birthday" to you at your party at Memories. I love the Four Seasons. How far back do you go with Frankie and the rest of the guys?

A.J. Adami

Dear A.J.,

I knew Frankie even before the Four Seasons, when he was singing with the Four Lovers. And I knew Bob Gaudio, who wrote and performed with the Seasons, when he was with the Royal Teens - you might remember they had a couple of hits, "Short Shorts" and "Believe Me." (Also in the Royal Teens was actor Joe Pesci.) The Four Lovers and the Royal Teens both appeared on the old Clay Cole TV show in New York, and that's where the marriage began that created the Four Seasons -- Tommy DeVito, Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, and Nick Massi, then Charlie Calello. Bob Crewe, who produced the Seasons' first record, "Sherry," was also an old friend. Along with Frank Slay he had written and produced the hit "Silhouettes" for the Rays. Bob played me the demo of "Sherry" and told me he was having trouble placing it. When I heard the sound of the group, I flipped and called my friend Abner at Vee Jay Records, who signed them immediately. That was their first label, where they had hit after hit after hit. In fact, they were Vee Jay's first white act. Frankie and I have remained friends through all these years, and recently I've gotten him involved in hosting those wonderful shows we do with T.J. Lubinsky and Henry DeLuca for PBS.


30 Jul 04 - 07:59 PM (#1237506)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

M Ted,

Interesting that you have well-documented references that Joe P. was in the Royal Teens.

I'm still *fairly* sure that I've heard of him also having been part of the Four Seasons, albeit briefly. Now that we know he had exprience as a doo-wop group vocalist, it's not at all far-fetched that he might have filled a slot in another, better-known group at some time after its heyday. And, of course, the Four Seasons is a much better-know, well-remembevred name to drop than the Royal Teens (even though he may have had a more prominent role in the RTs, during the period of time when they were actually recording).


30 Jul 04 - 11:50 PM (#1237642)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennyO

Poppagator, it's virtual singing. We were all just sitting at our computers madly typing in the next line of whatever song, complete with wo wo's and bum titty bums, sound effects and exaggerated (and very bad) spelling - the lines got repeated and jumbled up, and we ended up "singing" different songs at the same time. It was a hoot! Just to give you an idea, this is a bit like part of last night, but probably not as funny, cos there were little comments and things between the singing. Each line is a different person.


#. And then there suddenly appeared before me
#. Blue Moon Blue Moon Blue Moon ditdiditditda
#. dang dang dangle dangledangle dangledangle dangle dang dang dangle dangledangle dangledangle dangle
#. The ooooonly one my aaaaarms would eeeeeeverrrrrrrrrr hold.
#. Boom! Boom! Tischhh!
#. You whispered, Darlin please adoooore meeeee
#. And when I looked the Moon had turned to go wo wold
#. blueeee mmoooooon
#. Blooooooooooooooooooooohhoooooooo Mooooooooooooooooooooon!
#. LA LA LA LA LA Bamba
#. Lalalalalala
#. 'Cuz I looooooved that gi-i-i-i-i-rllll
#. Donna where can you be..... where cahannnn you beeee.....


You get the idea -


31 Jul 04 - 12:19 AM (#1237657)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

I did manage to capture most of it between crashes... but you really had to be there! Jenny's description is about as much as you really want to know without being part of it.... :-)

It's no fun just watching - you have to join in! Just like what happens in a live singaround when the moon is full, or something...

I have suggested that we should organise a Paltalk session - where we can organise to each have a turn on the Mic, as well as type madly (in both senses of the word!)

Robin


31 Jul 04 - 12:25 AM (#1237659)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennyO

Yes Robin, I'd be in that....... Meanwhile I think I'll go and bay at the moon tonight........

blooooooooooooooooohhhhhoooooooooooooooo   mooooooooooooooooonnnnnnn
oooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwowowowowowowwowow


31 Jul 04 - 02:54 AM (#1237690)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Check this out for a reference to Tommy DeVito and Joe Pesci-Federico Castelluccio's Official Website Tommy was an original member of the Four Seasons, and, no doubt, you know that Castelluccio is Frankie Valli's real name--also, Frankie grew up in Harrison, which is where the audition took place (I know this, because he grew up with a friend of mine, who wrote one of their hits)--

I don't know if Tommy is really his personal assistant--I have read that Tommy lives in Las Vegas, and that Pesci is often seen hanging out with him there--also have read that Pesci has a bluegrass band--

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons continue to perform--check here for everyone who has been in the band List of Members of the Four Seasons Pesci is not listed--I heard Bob Gaudio talking about the band back in about 1986, and he said that it had always been a group thing, even when Frankie did stuff using only his own name--


31 Jul 04 - 04:20 PM (#1237999)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,mariner

Help me out here, The Marcels "Blue Moon" was a carbon copy arrangement wise (All the vocal gymnastics etc.) of another, older doo-wop hit. Can anyone remember what that older hit was??. I should know, but I'm having one of those "senior moments".


31 Jul 04 - 04:24 PM (#1238004)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

PoppaGator, we really can't go on meeting like this. According to my "History of the Twist" Pesci was in a very early incarnation of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Bop shoo Bop.


31 Jul 04 - 04:34 PM (#1238015)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

The Bass intro was lifted from the Caddillac's "Zoom"--other than that, I don't know--


31 Jul 04 - 05:49 PM (#1238059)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Little Robyn

Blue moon, without any doo wops, was written by Richard Rogers and Larry Hart, probably in the 30s or 40s.
If you can find the movie 'Words and Music', you can revisit all their songs along with Lena Horne, Judy Garland, June Allyson, Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney.....
When I was a kid we owned a copy of it (and a 16mm projector) and we saw it many times. I was very annoyed when someone wrecked Blue Moon by making it into a doo do doo do doo thing!
Robyn


01 Aug 04 - 12:46 AM (#1238110)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Well, JennyO - we'll start a new thread for that - what shall we call it?

Robin


01 Aug 04 - 01:27 AM (#1238129)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennieG

Norman oooohooooh Norman ooooohhooooo
Norman
Norman my lurve!

I sang this a while ago to a bloke called Norm when he teased me about something. He screwed up his eyes and pulled a face and said "I always hated that song!"

He hasn't teased me since.

Cheers
JennieG


01 Aug 04 - 01:36 AM (#1238133)
Subject: Lyr Add: BLUE MOON (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers)
From: JennyO

How about Doo-doo-doo, Do-do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah?

I just googled and found the lyrics for that version of Blue Moon. Here it is, complete with all the do wahs.... Cool eh?


Blue Moon
By SHA-NA-NA
Album: GREASE - The Original Soundtrack From the Motion Picture

Blue-ue moon
(Blue blue blue blue moon)
You saw me standing alone
(Blue blue blue blue moon)
Without a dream in my heart
(Blue blue blue blue moon)
Without a love of my own
(Bahhh-ah)

Blue-ue moon
(Blue blue blue blue moon)
You knew just what I was there for
(Doo-doo-doo, blue blue blue blue moon)
You heard me saying a prayer for
(Doo-doo-doo, blue blue blue blue moon)
Someone I really could care for
(Doo-doo-doo, Do-do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah)

And then suddenly - appear-eared - before-ore-ore me
(Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do ...)
(Wooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
The only one - my arms could e-ver ho-o-o-old
(Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do ...)
(Wooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
I heard somebody - whisper plea-ease - adore-ore-ore me
(Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do, Doo-do-do-do ...)
(Wooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
But when I looked - that moon had turned to go-o-old

Woh-woh-woh, Blue-ue moon
(Blue blue blue blue moon)
Now I'm no longer alone
(Doo-doo-doo, blue blue blue blue moon)
Without a dream in my heart
(Doo-doo-doo, blue blue blue blue moon)
Without a love of my own
(Doo-doo, blue blue blue blue moon)
Without a love of my own
(Doo-doo-doo, Do-do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah)

Blue moon ...


01 Aug 04 - 05:04 AM (#1238194)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

"How about Doo-doo-doo, Do-do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah?"

I'm not sure that would all fit in the thread title.... :-)

... and it's a hell of a name for a Paltalk Room (maybe a bit long too) - especially since you need to have 'Live' in the name to discourage the Ubiquitous Karokers...

Maybe "Mudcat Live Do-do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah" ...? or as much as fits...

And this was a hell of a message to run thru my IESpell checker... :-)

Robin


01 Aug 04 - 05:25 AM (#1238197)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: JennyO

Lyr Req: Doo-doo-doo, Do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-ah
Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?

Take out a do and a wah and it fits for a thread title (one letter less than the title of this thread, although it doesn't look like it)

As for the paltalk room - how many letters are you allowed for that?

And this was a hell of a message to run thru my IESpell checker... :-)

I'll bet it was (grin)


01 Aug 04 - 05:52 AM (#1238206)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: John MacKenzie

I was walking along, minding my business
When out of an orange coloured sky
Crash Bam al a kazam, thank you for passing me by.

The Railroad runs through the Middle of the House
Twenty Tiny Fingers
Samuel Pepys Diary

and

Twas on a Monday morning o, the rain it was a raining
My love she came to me and said
Oh when will you and I be wed
For I have bought a double bed
And Mother is complainig
And all the while the rain it was a raining.

Oh the culture of yesteryear!
Giok


01 Aug 04 - 06:56 AM (#1238223)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

Warning!

Put your fingers in your ears and go Tingalingaloo!

MudChat Live Do-do-do-wah-wah-wah-wah-ah


01 Aug 04 - 08:49 AM (#1238248)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: John MacKenzie

Then there was....
Jump up and Down and Wave your Knockers in the Air [honestly]
Giok


01 Aug 04 - 12:08 PM (#1238321)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

"Norman"??!?!?!? Forgot all about that one! Never liked it much -- I can understand the reaction of your friend Norman.

*****

My mother really liked the original Rodgers & Hart "Blue Moon," and was absolutely horrified by the Marcells' version when it came out.

Bom buh-buh Bom / buh Bam-pa-bom-bom / Budda Bom buh-buh Bom / a dang-ga dang dang / ga ding ga dong ding Blue Moon!

I clicked on Foolestroupe's link, found another thread ("This is our meeting place"), but didn't know how to proceed... It does sure look like fun!


01 Aug 04 - 03:21 PM (#1238442)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Funny, but I put both "Norman" and "Tan Shoes..." on a mix CD of whacked out old pop tunes, along with "Johnny, Get Angry"--"Norman" proved that rock n roll with a polka beat and trombone block chords was not a viable concept--"Johnny" has that kazoo hook, and the girl narrator is one of the more twisted characters-

"Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad,
give me the biggest lecture I ever had,
I want a brave man, I want a cave man,
Johnny show me that you care, really care for me"


01 Aug 04 - 03:31 PM (#1238449)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Little Robyn

My ding-a-ling, my ding-a-ling,
I want you to play with my ding-a-ling.


01 Aug 04 - 07:10 PM (#1238569)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

"Thanks for the memories..." So glad I couldn't find those verses. Now look what fun we're having. "We wear short shorts!" OOOOOH! OOOH! "....sure looked good to me." Sorry I missed the fun in the chat room. We were busy singing all of these at our little musical gathering. We did the orange coloured sky song too, Giok. Our theme was colour songs.
By the way we haven't mentioned it yet, I don't think - Dodie was just 13 when she wrote and sang "Pink shoes with etc".
                                                 Joy


02 Aug 04 - 04:02 AM (#1238749)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: John MacKenzie

I just noticed my Freudian slip in 'Jump up and down etc' It should of course be knickers not knockers, although it does conjure up some interesting mental pictures.:~)
Giok


02 Aug 04 - 04:08 AM (#1238751)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Steve Parkes

think you'd have to put your version on the back of "Wet dream", Giok!


02 Aug 04 - 10:37 AM (#1238911)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: clueless don

Didn't the singer who recorded "Norman" also record "Paper Tiger"?

Don


02 Aug 04 - 12:19 PM (#1238979)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: M.Ted

Dodie Stevens didn't write "Tan Shoes", it was written by Mickie Grant. She was 13 when it became a hit though--
Sue Thompson, who sounded even more like a teenager,was 35 when she had her first big hit, "Sad Movies Make Me Cry"--she was married to, and working with, Hank Penny at the time, and had been performing Western Swing since the 40's--All her big " teen " hits, including Norman, Sad Movies, Paper Tiger, and "James, James, Hold the Ladder for Me" were written by John D. Loudermilk--

Dodie Stevens career as a teen star ended at the ripe old age of sixteen, and, curiously. later turned up as a back-up singer for Sergio Mendes and Brazil '77--,


02 Aug 04 - 07:54 PM (#1239270)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Thanks for putting me straight, M Ted. Sorry Mickie Grant. I hate to do that!
Giok I want to ignore your correction and see the image of "knockers" waving in the air. It's much more interesting that way.
I still sing "Sad Movies". I WAS a teenager when I started singing it and like Sue Thompson I still sounded like a teenager at 35. Now when I sing, in my higher range, I still sound like one. I'll be 60 next January! Weird! Joy


03 Aug 04 - 11:10 AM (#1239461)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

Anyone who's been enjoying this thread should also take a peek at this Oldies Scat Quiz, which appeared a few days after this discussion began.

I'm sure that almost everyone participating here in Summer 2004 *has* seen the quiz, but I'm putting this message in here for future reference. If anyone stumbling across this discussion in '05 or '06 wants more doo-wop fun, take the quiz!


03 Aug 04 - 12:47 PM (#1239545)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

Hi Clueless Don. I believe a girl called Carol Dean covered Norman and James, Hold The Ladder Steady in the UK. I do know that I hated them !!


03 Aug 04 - 01:06 PM (#1239560)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

Wrong spelling. It should have read Carol Deene.


03 Aug 04 - 04:39 PM (#1239721)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Jim Dixon

Getting back to TAN SHOES...etc.

Minnesotans find the line about the "12-foot yacht" laughable.

Even a basic, no-frills fishing boat is at least 12 feet long.


03 Aug 04 - 07:33 PM (#1239830)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

But he also had a wirly-birdy and a submarine and a limo, Jim. A good point though. Just what do you catch in those boats - whales?

I'm going mad with these phrases running through my head. Now it's:

"She wears red feathers and a hooley, hooley skirt
She wears red feathers and a hooley, hooley skirt
She lives on just coconuts and fish fur-om the sea
A rose in her hair, a gleam in her eyes, and love in her heart for me."

It's the fishing boats that started this one. This girl would be sooo cheap to keep. Not much in the way of clothes and her diet is very basic. Joy


04 Aug 04 - 12:04 AM (#1239981)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

She wears red feathers and a hooley, hooley skirt


04 Aug 04 - 03:23 AM (#1240052)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Steve Parkes

Guy Mitchell really ought to have a thread to himself. (And he probably has.)


13 Aug 04 - 10:55 AM (#1246808)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,Richard

What about "The Last Blast of The Blasted Bugler"   or   "Russian Bandstand" ?

Certainly 2 wacky hits!


14 Aug 04 - 09:54 AM (#1247528)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST

I found this site by trying to find the flip side song to "Rainbow" by Russ Hamilton. I can't get to the home page to start a new thread...but I figure anyone who knows all this info about "pink shoelaces" might be able to help me. Search page said flip side was "pink shoelaces"...but this can't be. Any help out there? In case I can't get back to see any answers, could you email me at:
mjcesario@yahoo.com?
Thanks again.


14 Aug 04 - 10:18 AM (#1247542)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Amos

She wore an itsy bitsy
Teen weeny
Yellow polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time that day-y-y-y-



I think the inspiration for the doowop in Blue Moon might have been the earlier Hit Parade hit, Sh-Boom!

Yadadadadadadada, sh-boom sh-boom
Yadadadadadadada, sh-boom sh-boom
Yadadadadadadada, life would be a dream, sweetheart!


A


14 Aug 04 - 11:20 PM (#1247846)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

If GUEST can't get to the main page to start a new thread, how come they could reply in this one?

Very suspicious....


"Yadadadadadadada, sh-boom sh-boom"

You know I did think that many years ago in my younger days, Amos...

So when's the next "Yadadadadadadada, sh-boom sh-boom" event - it's got its own thread...

Robin


16 Aug 04 - 12:37 AM (#1248411)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: open mike

then there was this one:
gimme that thing , gimme that, gimme gimme that,
gimme that thing , gimme that, gimme gimme that,
gimme that thing , gimme that, gimme gimme that,
gimme gimme gimme that thing.


16 Aug 04 - 03:26 AM (#1248474)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

Open mike, that was "Gimme Dat Thing" by the bloke from Blue Mink and somebody else. And it shouldn't be in the same room as some of the DooWop classics mentioned. But you knew that didn't you ??


16 Aug 04 - 03:47 AM (#1248484)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: darkriver

I can't read these lyrics without also thinking of
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs'
WOOLY BULLY!

Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro
Matty told Hatty about a thing she saw.
Had two big horns and a wooly jaw.
Wooly bully, wooly bully.
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully.
Hatty told Matty, "Let's don't take no chance.
Let's not be L-seven, come and learn to dance."
Wooly bully, wooly bully
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully.
Matty told Hatty, "That's the thing to do.
Get you someone really to pull the wool with you."
Wooly bully, wooly bully.
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully.


doug


16 Aug 04 - 10:52 AM (#1248658)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: SINSULL

Sam The Sham - I won a trivia contest when I was the only contestant who knew that he sang lead for the pHAROUGHS!

hEY THERE lITTLE rED rIDING hOOD
yOU SURE ARE LOOKING GOOD
yOU'RE EVERYTHING A BIG BAD WOLF COULD WANT

dAMN cAPSLOCK! i THOUGHT i HAD IT UNDER CONTROL.


16 Aug 04 - 01:28 PM (#1248738)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: fat B****rd

The venerable Richard Thompson once played Wooly Bully with Beausoleil.


25 Sep 04 - 03:10 PM (#1280904)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,scoon58@yahoo.com

Found the lyrics at www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/p/pink_shoe_laces_dodie_stevens.html


25 Sep 04 - 03:33 PM (#1280922)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: John MacKenzie

In gillygillyossenpefferkatzanellenbogen-by-the sea.
Giok


27 Sep 04 - 04:20 AM (#1282048)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Steve Parkes

The first two verses are printed on the side of ny pink toothbrush, and the last two on the blue toothbrush.


28 Sep 04 - 09:10 PM (#1283624)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Well this thread is getting lots of airplay.
True-love and I are about to perform at an oldfolks venue. It's a sign of our own age that the songs we're doing are these novelty ones from the 50s and 60s. The ones of our teenage years. 30 years ago we were singing "Moonlight Bay" and the like. We still sing that, actually, but the gap has narrowed and now the older songs are those of all of our grandparents.
"The Witch Doctor" and his friends are about to hit the seniors' circuit.
OOO EEE OOO AH AH TING TANG WALLA WALLA BING BANG.
                                                   Joy


29 Sep 04 - 09:02 AM (#1283959)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Snuffy

Whereabouts in Oz is Wallawallabingbang, Joy?


29 Sep 04 - 10:47 AM (#1284039)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

On the left hand side of the cook-house, just near the prisoner's exercise yard.


29 Sep 04 - 08:17 PM (#1284483)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

I had thought we had already exhausted all the really great oldies we could have mentioned here, but I was wrong.

Imagine my delight yesterday evening when I hopped into my car, turned the key, and heard the Capris singing "There's A Moon Out Tonight" on my car radio. What a great belt-buckle-polishing slow-dance classic -- and I had completely forgotten about it! (along with all the rest of you -- no one has mentioned it on this thread yet.)

Within the next 15 minutes, I was also treated to the Five Satins' "In the Still of the Night" -- already mentioned several times here, and even "sung-along-with" via text ("sho-doben-dobey-do," etc.). Plus: the Cadillacs' uber-classic "Speedo."

I was in oldies heaven! It didn't hurt that there *was* a moon out last night -- a big, bright orange, low-on-the-horizon, full moon.

All thanks to volunteer DJ Jivin' Gene, who presents his Fifties Rock 'n' Roll every Monday evening, 7-10 pm Central, on WWOZ-FM 90.7 in New Orleans.


30 Sep 04 - 01:14 AM (#1284641)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: The Fooles Troupe

"On the left hand side of the cook-house, just near the prisoner's exercise yard."

OK, Ok, OK, if you didn't know about the TV Prison series...


30 Sep 04 - 05:56 AM (#1284755)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Well we went to a little town that just could have been Wallawallabingbang except it got a boring name instead. Most of the audience members were old enough to think of us as young things. Nice when you're nearly 60.
We all sang "Purple People Eater", "The Witch Doctor", some old rounds AND
"GTO". Sung originally by Ronnie and the Daytonas. Remember them? True-love really likes that one and it's got great waa waa bits.
                                                 Joy


30 Sep 04 - 11:10 AM (#1284947)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: PoppaGator

"GTO" -- Yessss!

Ronnie and the Daytonas may have been one-hit wonders; I can't think of any other song released under their name.

Another title we haven't mentioned yet: "Get A Job," whose nonsense-syllable chorus provided the name for that very sucessful nostalia/parody singing group, Sha Na Na. (It also provided inspiration for a little-known answer song, one of Smokey Robinson's first recordings with the Miracles, "I Got A Job.")


30 Sep 04 - 12:10 PM (#1284984)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Cool Beans

Apparently, the Silhouettes never did find gainful employment. Their follow-up single to "Get a Job" was called "Headin' for the Poorhouse." (It was not a hit.)


30 Sep 04 - 08:04 PM (#1285406)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: Joybell

Oh yes! Get a Job. I liked that one too.
PoppaGater I do wish we could all get together for a chorus of GTO.

Waa waa wa wa wa wa wa! Yeah yeah little GTO!

I can do the high bits fit to break glasses! Joy


16 Oct 04 - 02:24 AM (#1298394)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,Smokey

Ronnie & the Daytonas follow-up was "Sandy," not to be confused with

Dion's "Sandy."

The first couple of lines went:
ooh ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh
Sandy, with sunlight in your hair (woh oh oh woh)
It hurts me so to see you standing there (who oh oh woh)

That's all I remember


06 Dec 12 - 11:27 AM (#3448067)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST

I would like the music to Tan shoes and pink shoelaces. where can I find it? I would like to print if off with the words and music.


07 Dec 12 - 02:10 AM (#3448445)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces. Verses?
From: GUEST,kendall

I never could get into this popular drivel. My taste ran to things such as:
Dark Moon
Love is blue
Mule Train
South of the border