Off Beat Lyrics
The Lyrics You Won't Find Anywhere Else
(We think)
Issue 1: March 20, 1998
What? Another lyrics site? Yes indeed, but with a difference...
There are so many sites on the Web devoted to lyrics for your favorite artists or for
chart hits, new or old, or devoted to a particularly kind of music... But even though there are
so many lyrics out there, that is, of course, only the smallest tip of the top of the iceberg...
Here we will feature some songs, that didn't make it onto those sites. Songs that are
almost or completely forgotten. Songs that - for whatever reason - aren't played on the
radio anymore, have faded from view, or weren't in view in the first place, but still have interesting lyrics and/or background
stories to them. Bizarre, humorous, novelty songs... Obscure or forgotten, funny or plain weird,
you will be able to discover them here!
And since we're not expecting you to actually know these songs, you will find not only the words but also the music
itself (or sizeable excerpts) in
RealAudio format, plus a picture of the record sleeve or artist if possible.
Note: You will need the RealAudio player (RealPlayer) to enjoy the music. This can be downloaded for free from the
RealNetworks site. Go get it now if you don't already have it (but come back later...)
Songs will be presented in weekly instalments, with one or two new songs each week (approximately). Previous episodes will
remain available as long as there is room in this dwelling.
Lyrics are our own transcriptions, except if noted otherwise, so don't rely too much on them
(See the disclaimer)...
This song was recorded by Patti Labelle and the Bluebirds in 1963. It was
released in April 1963 on single Nicetown 5019, and you can also find it
on the re-release CD "Down the Aisle" (Relic 7044)
The Bluebirds were Patti (Patricia Holte), Sarah Dash,
Wynona "Nona" Hendrix and Cynthia "Cindy"
Birdsong. In 1967, Cindy Birdsong left to join
the Supremes; later on, in 1971, the three remaining
ladies transformed into "LaBelle" (remember "Lady
Marmalade" and their far-out space outfits?) and still later continued to
make solo records (Patti Labelle is still recording,
we think, although we haven't heard much of Nona
Hendrix lately, and still less of Sarah Dash for that matter).
But that was much later -
here they were still the typical girl group
a la the Shirelles, the Marvelettes, or the
And-So-On-ettes...
Warning: This is a tentative transcription. There are one or two lines where we've had
to guess. If you find any errors please notify us.
What's this all about, then?
Academy Award - Patti Labelle and the Bluebelles
As it's that time of the year again - talking about the Academy Awards being handed out -
what better way to kick off this series than with a song called "Academy Award"?
 Click on the record label to hear this song in RealAudio! |
Academy Award (Catalano - Alonzo - Levinson) - Patti LaBelle and the Bluebirds Academy, Academy Award - step right up Academy, Academy Award - step right up You should win the Academy Award For the way you broke my heart Your performance was the best of the year It was convincing and it's so sincere You should win the Academy Award For the way, you made me cry Your performance was the best of the year Now take a bow for every fallin' tear You're a master, you're much too much You told me baby I'm the only one You'll win some prizes with your soothing ways And left me cryin' for the rest of my days You should win the Academy Awards For the way you stole the show Your performance broke my poor heart in two Step right up, they'll give an Oscar to you (break) You should win the Academy Awards For the way you stole the show Your performance broke my poor heart in two Step right up, they'll give an Oscar to you Oohooh... step right up baby Oohooh... step right up baby |
I Miss You Jimmy (Tribute to James Dean) - Varetta Dillard
|
Varetta (that's her real name - she's named for her aunts, Verna and Loretta) Dillard is a little-known rhythm & blues singer, born in 1933. She recorded between the mid-1950s and 1961; her complete recordings from 1956 to 1961 can be found on two CD's on the German Bear Family re-issue label: Got You On My Mind (with this song) and The Loving Bird.
The lyrics (and the music) of this song are rather bland but that isn't at all representative for her other recordings. They're well worth seeking out.
By the way, we don't think James Dean ever received an Oscar.
 Click on the record label to hear this song in RealAudio! |
I Miss You Jimmy (Tribute to James Dean) (Clyde Otis - Bill Henry) - Varetta Dillard Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy... I miss you Jimmy Miss you so much No one can replace Your magic touch The movies you made Were oh so divine The parts that you played Will live for all time The day I heard that terrible news I couldn't believe it was true But somehow I know wherever you are Angels will watch over you Your fans are many Your years were few But I'll always love The memory of you The day I heard that terrible news I couldn't believe it was true But somehow I know wherever you are Angels will watch over you Your fans are many Your years were few But I'll always love The memory of you |
Next week we'll continue the Hollywood theme with a couple of songs dedicated to that great (and you can take that literally) character actor, King Kong!
It is our intention to put up a new issue each week or so... but you know as well as we do, that won't always be possible. And we can't expect you to come and check this page faithfully every week. So, if you would like to be kept informed when this page is updated, let the URL Minder do it! Just fill in the following form, and click on the "Press Here to Register" button.
When you're registered with the URL Minder, it will send you an e-mail message soon after this page is updated. Try it (it's free)!
I deny everything!
This Week
Melodix Productions 1998