Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0

Subject: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wantec
From: GUEST,Mitch Diamond
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 04:19 PM

Looking for lyrics to a song about Alan Shepard that started like this:

Count down to zero, there goes our hero; everybody's talking about that Shepard man.
The US commander who made our life grander

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 04:25 PM

Here's the discussion at answers.com:

https://www.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_song_about_Alan_B_Shepherd_Astronaut

There's a recent YouTube video called "Countdown" by Alan Shepard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWCqdEsy4JY

Interesting, but probably not the one you want. Lyrics are mostly "10, 9. 8. 7. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1" in a gravelly voice with techno music in the background.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,#
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 06:40 PM

Louis Prima and Keely Smith - The Shepard Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMnWb27XHfQ

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,#
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 06:42 PM

From Mitch's description, that's it.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,Mitch Diamond
Date: 09 Jun 21 - 08:28 PM

Thanks. That’s it!

Subject: ADDPOP: The Shepard Man (Prima/Herring)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jun 21 - 12:39 AM

Discogs.com says this song was released in 1960, Dot Records #45-16221. The "A" side is a song called Mustapha, and this song is "Shepard Man," written by Prima and Herring, and recorded by Louis Prima and Keely Smith.

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Prima-Keely-Smith-Mustapha-The-Shepard-Man/release/7458971

SHEPARD MAN
(Louis Prima and John Herring)

"10, 9. 8. 7. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Blast Off!"

CHORUS
Countdown to zero, there goes our hero;
Everybody's crazy 'bout the Shepard man.
The US commander, he's made life grander
Every's crazy 'bout the Shepard Man.

I wonder what Jupiter said to Mars
When he saw Alan flyin' through the stars;
I know Mr. Moon had a smile on his face,
When he saw the astronaut chargin' through space.
CHORUS (by Smith, and a second time by Prima)

[The look of that clan all began to wail???]
[When they saw the book.....???]
Everyone was worried about a crash
But Alan played it cool, he didn't even make a splash.
CHORUS

10, 9, 8....



As you can see, I need some help on this. Prima's voice is very muddy on this recording. As usual, the voice of Keely Smith is clear as a bell.


The melody of the chorus is very familiar, maybe the theme song of a TV show. Anybody recognize it, and can anybody help me with the lyrics of the last verse?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,#
Date: 11 Jun 21 - 08:30 AM

The Milky Way clan all began to wail
When they saw the boosters light up the tail
Everyone was worried about a crash
But Alan played it cool, he didn't even make a splash.

**Not sure about tail in second line

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,#
Date: 11 Jun 21 - 09:16 AM

On second thought and after 15th hearing, I think it is tail in verse two of that stanza.

Subject: ADDOPF: Shepard Man (Prima & Herring)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jun 21 - 02:15 PM

Thanks to  # , we have a complete song.

SHEPARD MAN
(Louis Prima and John Herring)

"10, 9. 8. 7. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. Blast Off!"

CHORUS
Countdown to zero, there goes our hero;
Everybody's crazy 'bout the Shepard man.
The US commander, he's made life grander
Every's crazy 'bout the Shepard Man.

I wonder what Jupiter said to Mars
When he saw Alan flyin' through the stars;
I know Mr. Moon had a smile on his face,
When he saw the astronaut chargin' through space.
CHORUS (by Smith, and a second time by Prima)

The Milky Way clan all began to wail
When they saw the boosters light up the tail
Everyone was worried about a crash
But Alan played it cool, he didn't even make a splash.
CHORUS

10, 9, 8....

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GerryM
Date: 12 Jun 21 - 03:19 AM

"Discogs.com says this song was released in 1960...." But Shepard went up in 1961.

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Jun 21 - 05:15 AM

Interesting observation, Gerry. Louis Prima was an astute businessman, and I wouldn't put it past him to make a recording so it was ready to market on the day of the launch. The launch was scheduled for 1960, but was delayed. NASA was hyping their astronauts from the moment they were selected in 1959.
But it would be interesting to get more information about the recording date.
Here's a source that says the record was issued in May, 1961. That sounds more reasonable.http://www.45cat.com/record/4516221us
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyrics for Alan Shepard song wanted-Countdown to 0
From: GUEST,#
Date: 14 Jun 21 - 03:40 PM

I would guess that Discogs has made a mistake. The DOT label shows the 45 rpm being released in 1961. The DOT Records number is 16221.