By Bruce Klauber
Frank Sinatra and Billy Joel sang about New York. Elton John rocked “Philadelphia Freedom.” Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco. Glen Campbell vocalized about the “Wichita Lineman.” Dozens have sung about Kansas City and the Monkees, of course, took “the Last Train to Clarksville.”
For whatever reason, maybe because there’s so much to sing about, a good number of songs have also been written about the Jersey Shore, or things at the Jersey Shore, through the ages.
None are really works of art, but on the positive side, at least we can whistle most of them.
One of the earliest shore songs, “On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City,” was written by Josef Myrow and Mack Gordon for the forgettable 1946 film, “Three Girls in Blue,” and sung by June Haver, Vivian Blaine and Vera-Ellen.
The lyrics reference those things that Atlantic City has always been known for like the boardwalk, salt air and rolling chairs. As corny as the song might have been, it was recorded by a number of notables including Dick Haymes, and it also can be heard several times during the 1980 film, “Atlantic City,” starring Burt Lancaster.
For those unfamiliar with the tune, here’s a sampling of the lyrics: “On the boardwalk in Atlantic City, we will walk in a dream. On the boardwalk in Atlantic City, life will be peaches and cream. There, where the saltwater air brings out a lady’s charms. There, on a rolling chair, he’ll roll right into your arms!”
In the same vein was songwriter Bernie Wayne’s 1955 opus, “There She is, Miss America,” sung annually by Miss America Pageant host Bert Parks from 1955, until Parks was unceremoniously fired in 1979.
There were legal issues over royalties for years, and the song was sung intermittently in the years after 1979. The song was performed for the final time at the 2015 pageant. The lyrics refer to the “dreams of a million girls who are more than pretty; may come true in Atlantic City.”
The late and great Bobby Rydell will likely forever be associated with “Wildwood Days,” written by the famed Philadelphia songwriting team of Kal Mann and Dave Appell in 1963. The song was such a big hit that Mann and Appell hoped that lightning would strike twice with a song called “Steel Pier.” The 1963 recording for Cameo/Parkway Records didn’t do very well and the words – including “Steel Pier where the dance is groovy” – were not great.
Sadly, the songs from the short-lived 1997 Broadway musical, “Steel Pier,” are almost entirely forgotten. With titles like “Everybody’s Girl” and “Everybody Dance,” it’s easy to understand why.
“Under the Boardwalk,” first recorded by The Drifters in 1964, has been covered by everyone from The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys, to Bette Midler and Sam & Dave. In 2014, the song was voted for inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame. For those who may not recall, the words have to do with a couple who will be “fallin’ in love.” Where else? Under the boardwalk.
No list of shore tunes would be complete without mentioning “On the Way to Cape May,” sung by comic/musician Cozy Morley, later by Al Alberts and detailed within these pages recently. What is not widely known is that the song was not written by Morley, but by Maurice “Buddy” Nugent. A search of music publishers ASCAP and BMI has revealed that Nugent never wrote another published piece of music.
Bruce Springsteen’s “Atlantic City” was first heard in 1982 on his “Nebraska” solo album. It is, to put it mildly, no love letter to the resort as the composition references organized crime, the decline of the city and general corruption. Despite the song’s generally depressing message, “Atlantic City” has been covered by The Band, Hank Williams III and most recently, country singer/songwriter Riley Green.
Tom Waits’ 1980 “Jersey Girl,” covered by Springsteen four years later, is a bit more upbeat. Indeed the message in “Jersey Girl,” per the lyrics, is: “Cause down the shore, everything’s all right.”
This may be stretching the idea, but the big band hit, “Jersey Bounce,” does have the word “Jersey” in it. First recorded in 1942 by Benny Goodman, this was covered by everyone from Harry James and Ella Fitzgerald, to a guy who spent a lot of time in Atlantic City, saxophonist Charlie Ventura. Lyrically it’s catchy: “So if you don’t feel so hot, go out to some Jersey spot, and whether you’re hep or not, the Jersey Bounce’ll make you swing.” Who can argue with that?
In the “very obscure” department is something titled “Atlantic City (Gonna Make a Million Tonight)” by the equally obscure singer/songwriter, F.M. Cornog. I’ve not heard the song, which has been described as a “dark, low-key nightmare” about a fellow who wants to strike it rich in Atlantic City. One of the lines, “Atlantic City, take it all away,” should give you the idea.
Call me a cornball, but I’ll take “On the Way to Cape May,” anytime.”
Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music “Jazz Legends” film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.
