Friday May 22, 2020 “Rama Lama Ding Dong” The Edsels
It's frivolous Friday and we are going back, way back, to a time when the saxophone was king, lyrics were deep, literate and meaningful and girls had romantic names like Rama Lama Lama Lama Ding Dong. And you say what!?
Now I know that there are plenty of simple girls names in rock songs like Alison, (Sweet) Jane, Valerie, Mary, Delilah, (My) Maria and Lola (OK maybe they're not all girls) but as I chuckled through this lyrical content it occurred to me that Rama Lama Lama Lama Ding Dong is not the only foolish rock girls name (probably the most foolish though) but just one of many.
For instance you have (Hang on) Sloopy, Cracklin Rosie, Tra La La La Susie (runner up in this most foolish short list), Windy, Sususudio, Mony Mony, Little Latin Lupe Lu and Gardenia just to name a few. So it gives you reason to pause, do these writers actually know people with these names, is this just to fulfill a rhyming pattern or does it evolve from some other form of chemical or liquid inspiration. I will let you decide.
This song, originally recorded in 1958 but not a hit until 1961 was written by the group’s lead singer Wydell Jones Jr. (Wydell?) at a moment when the group had decided to rename itself after the exciting new Ford car the Edsel, which would become an historic automotive failure being considered to be “unattractive, overpriced, and overhyped." The Edsel lasted two years, a bit longer than the Edsels. Maybe it wasn’t the best choice for the group’s name.
Still a fun, energetic and completely frivolous tune.
Stay safe and well...share some other foolish rock & roll names if you think of any.