Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 23 - 12:27 AM

It's actually bailar, pronounced closer to bye-lay with a hint of the r sometimes on the end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Keely Stahl, personal assistant to Jerry Bla
Date: 18 Nov 23 - 11:03 PM

The first set of lyrics are kind of simple once you know that "baila" (pronounced bila) is Spanish for "dance."
"All ya gotta do is BILA
All ya gotta do is dance . . .
Come on, let me play a little BILA
Come on, time for one more BILA....."

Can't make out the 2nd stanza exactly but most of the words are similar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Nov 23 - 12:27 AM

It's actually bailar, pronounced closer to bye-lay with a hint of the r sometimes on the end.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Keely Stahl, personal assistant to Jerry Bla
Date: 18 Nov 23 - 11:03 PM

The first set of lyrics are kind of simple once you know that "baila" (pronounced bila) is Spanish for "dance."
"All ya gotta do is BILA
All ya gotta do is dance . . .
Come on, let me play a little BILA
Come on, time for one more BILA....."

Can't make out the 2nd stanza exactly but most of the words are similar

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Dave Hanson
Date: 08 May 23 - 02:15 AM

Bila ? never heard such rubbish.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Country Paul
Date: 08 May 23 - 01:40 AM

I have heard that the lyrics are either Spanish or Spanglish. The first line, in Spanish, is something like "let's go to the school dance" (escuela is school and bialar is dance). Whatever, it sure is hypnotic and a great energy blast. Thanks to Slim Rose, Porky Chedwick and Jerry Blavat, guys "with ears" who "got" us.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 10:26 AM

It's fun to listen to, but I don't think it's actually in English. Sounds Caribbean, if I were forced to guess.

Often the singers are imitating musical instruments, not singing words at all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Bob M Brookhaven Pa
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 09:36 PM

I was a line dancer and spent a lot of nights with Blavat and his Geator Gold Dancers doing the "South Street" line dance to Bila. Its one of my favorites (I collect vinyl) and I once found the lyrics online but now dont know or remember where it was-------but I do know and recall that the first line is "Come on out and play little Bila"------I'm gonna see if I can somehow get those lyrics, even if I have to contact Blavat to do so.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Apr 11 - 01:33 PM

You can hear the Versatones sing BILA at YouTube.

It's one of the most unintelligible songs I've ever heard.

At least you can tell it's a very simple song, consisting of only a few phrases that are repeated over and over, with slight variation.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 03:13 PM

I just found a copy of Bila / Tight Skirt and Sweater at a neighborhood thrift shop here in Philly only yesterday (April 7). Don't remember ever hearing this one over the years but I like it! LOL Writers of Bila is credited to Worell & Tindall as mentioned above. My 45 is on the Atlantic label, in great shape and cost me 25¢.
If you still need a copy, DJ Murf, give me your email and I'll send you an mp3.

SteveR

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila (from The Versatones)
From: GUEST,Alan
Date: 12 Dec 10 - 03:26 PM

That's the whole legend and intrigue of the song. You are right - like "Louie Louie." Supposedly the lyrics were dirty and they used distortion to mask the words and also the vocals are very slurred for that same purpose. A few people have said it was Spanish and detected the chanting chorus as "Vamonos (or Vamono) Escuela Bila" which would mean let's go or hurry to school Bila or something like that. It does kind of have a Latin influence and accent to the vocals. But you can pretty much interpret it any way you want to. It's like listening to a parrot talk and 5 people in the room will think it said a different thing. That's the charm of the song. The mystery.

It was a HUGE hit in Philly with a line dance that accompanied it. It was so popular it was reissued twice after the original went out of print. Jerry Blavat still plays it.

It's just a great great record! Danceable as hell and very rare. An original pressing runs about $150 or more now. The other legend is that there is not a known copy of the original pressing that doesn't have writting on the label which I don't quite believe. Supposedly finding one without writing on the label would bring you a fortune.

There is an MP3 on line from Times Square Records old radio shows in the early 60's with Slim Rose as DJ. He plays the record and offers it for a dollar in his shop.

I've listened to it over and over again with headphones and can't make it out. And that's with a nice clean copy of it and increasd treble.

It's just one of the uber obscure doo-wop records. Kind of like The Delcos "Arabia." Tiny label and off the wall sound. Terrific street corner sound. Unpolished and raw.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 11:06 PM

Someone offered $25 for the lyrics to BILA at Google Answers and didn't get them. You can, however, read some comments by people who tried here.

For what it's worth, The BMI Repertoire says BILA was written by S. Tindall and C. Worell and published by Crimson Music Publishing Co., 2320 Haverford Rd, Ardmore, PA 19003.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 08:22 PM

Try asking the guy selling the thing here on e-Bay

I am coming up with zip on Google. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Murf The Surf
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 05:40 AM

Thanx ............... I do have the song, but need the words ........... like "Louie Louie" they are tough to make out. The listen said her husband used to sing "Feel Up Bila", but I wanted to get a transcript to relate them to her on the air

Atlantic 2211 ............... Any idea on the song writing credits?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:39 AM

You might want to message Jerry Rasmussen. He knows about doopop (and lotsa other stuff of course).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:34 AM

Label: ATLANTIC 2211

It's goin' for $25 on e-bay. (Vinyl 45 in VG + condition according to the seller.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 01:13 AM

It was a 45 from 1958. I will look, but don't hold yer breath.

Subject: Lyr Req: Bila by The Versatones
From: Murf The Surf
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 12:58 AM

I am a DJ on WILW in Wildwood, & had a request for the lyrics to a Doo Wop Tune "Bila" by the Versatones. I can't seem to find them anywhere. Can anyone out there help?!?