He was born in the Corona section of the New York City borough of Queens. He began playing the piano when he was only seven years old. In 1927 he went to Columbia College, intending to become an electrical engineer, but as a sophomore switched to a music major. Without graduating, he left to become an arranger. In the early 1930s, he wrote a number of songs that got recorded; all 'hot' novelty numbers, including "Mouthful O'Jam", "Business In F" and "Business In Q".
In 1934 he started leading a band of his own at Earl Carroll's club in Hollywood, California. Bleyer's orchestra recorded for Brunswick Records, and one of the vocalists who worked with this orchestra was Johnny Mercer, who became better known as a songwriter and co-founder of Capitol Records.
He became musical director for Arthur Godfrey in 1946, serving in this role until 1953. Many close to Godfrey considered Bleyer's creativity and understanding of music to be pivotal to the success of Godfrey's radio and TV programs. And while Godfrey was known to be short-fused and controlling, he often deferred to Bleyer's judgment in the areas of presentation and production.
In 1952 he founded Cadence Records, whose first artist was Godfrey alumnus Julius La Rosa. Along with several instrumental hit singles of his own, Bleyer went on to sign many other artists who had performed on Godfrey's programs (including The Chordettes, one of whose members, Janet Ertel, became his wife).
In the fall of 1953, Godfrey dismissed La Rosa on the air and later claimed the young singer "lacked humility," doing his own popularity considerable damage. That same day, Godfrey fired Bleyer, claiming he was offended when Bleyer recorded Chicago radio personality Don McNeill, host of Don McNeill's Breakfast Club. This Godfrey-like show was based in Chicago and broadcast nationally, but its popularity was mainly in the Midwest and tailored to that audience. Always insecure, Godfrey felt McNeill, whose show had once been a competitor, was still in competition though Godfrey was the dominant personality of his generation. Godfrey later claimed when he confronted Bleyer and threatened to fire him from at least one of the three shows Godfrey hosted, the conductor shrugged and told him to do what he had to do.
Radio historian John Dunning has suggested, in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, that Bleyer's relationship with Janet Ertel was also a factor in Godfrey's decision to fire him; Godfrey tried to enforce a no-dating policy among his cast and fired several who dated each other. After leaving the show, Bleyer never made a public comment about his days with Godfrey. The public furor that surrounded LaRosa's firing and, to a lesser extent, Bleyer's, began the unraveling of Godfrey's seemingly unstoppable dominance of radio and TV as Bleyer's career was just beginning to blossom. The loss of Bleyer's expertise in staging and production matters, where he served as an informal mentor to Godfrey despite their age differences, was detrimental to Godfrey's programs.
While LaRosa was unable to sustain his early successes, later Cadence artists included Andy Williams and the label's biggest act of all, The Everly Brothers whose hits such as "Bye Bye Love" and "Wake Up Little Susie" were produced by Bleyer in Nashville with country studio musicians led by Chet Atkins. Bleyer circa 1963 was also the step father-in-law of Phil Everly. He had his own instrumental recording hits on the Cadence label as well. Don Shirley, who appeared on the label in 1955 with "Tonal Expressions". It became a Top 15 album in the spring of that year, reportedly selling more than 20,000 copies, a respectable debut for a jazz artist. Ironically, it was the only chart album Shirley was to enjoy, but his sales remained steady enough that he was with the label until it closed in 1964, cutting around a dozen long-play releases Don Shirley Discography.
Bleyer also had his limits to his tolerance for rock and roll. While he clearly, and correctly, viewed the Everlys as a commercially appealing, clean-cut act whose country-influenced harmonies could reach a vast following, he was not so tolerant of pioneer garage-rock guitarist Link Wray. In 1957, Bleyer reluctantly agreed to release his no-frills, roaring instrumental "Rumble" on Cadence in part due to his daughter's fascination with the song. Wray had a contract with Cadence, but in 1958 after he submitted a newly recorded album of similarly raw material recorded in Nashville, Bleyer was convinced the instrumental music was morally and musically inappropriate and shelved the album and canceled Wray's contract. The material wouldn't see the light of day for decades until it was acquired by the British Rollercoaster label.
Cadence had another major hit in 1962 with comic Vaughn Meader's album The First Family, which featured Meader's comedic sketches and his peerless impersonations of President John F. Kennedy. The album was an enormous seller, as was a followup, until Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.
Cadence always maintained a small roster of artists. Other Cadence hits included 14 chart hits by Johnny Tillotson, 10 by The Chordettes, 4 by Lenny Welch, 2 by Don Shirley.
In 1964, Bleyer, who was unable to accept the changing pop music market at the dawn of the British Invasion era, sold the Cadence label and all its recordings (except for certain material—like the Link Wray album—he kept to himself) to Andy Williams who formed Barnaby Records to manage the Cadence catalog.
He moved with his wife Janet to her hometown of Sheboygan, Wisconsin where he died of the effects of Parkinson's disease in 1989.
Bleyer was a free-mason, member of St. Cecile Lodge No. 568, New York City.
The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane
Archie Bleyer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has hit the town like a bomb
The back fence gossip
Ain′t been this good
Since Mabel ran off with Tom
Our town was peaceful and quiet
Before she came on the scene
(A riot, riot)
Disturbing the suburban routine
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Has the town in a whirl
The naughty lady of shady lane
Me, oh, my, oh, what a girl
You should see how see carries on
With her admirers galore
She must be giving them quite a thrill
The way they flock to her door
She throws those come hither glances
At every Tom, Dick and Joe
When offered some liquid refreshment
The lady never, never says no
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Has the town in a whirl
The naughty lady of shady lane
Me, oh, my, oh, what a girl
The things they're trying to pin on her
Won′t hold much water, I'm sure
Beneath the powder and fancy lace
There beats a heart sweet and pure
She just needs someone to change her
Then she'll be nice as can be
If you′re in the neighborhood
Stranger (come in)
You′re welcome to drop in and see
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Who has the town in a whirl
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
She's delectable, quite respectable
She′s a brand new baby girl
Archie Bleyer's song, "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane," is a playful tune about a woman who has caused quite a commotion in her small town. The song paints a vivid picture of this vivacious lady who has managed to capture the attention of many of the town's inhabitants. The lyrics suggest that her actions have disrupted the otherwise quiet and peaceful daily life of the town, but it's also made it more exciting for those who live there.
The words describe how this naughty lady has thrown herself into the social scene of the town, and how she's quickly become the center of attention. She appears to be quite the flirt and enjoys the company of men. Despite the rumors and gossip about her, the song suggests that beneath the outward appearance of this lady lies a kind heart that is waiting for someone to tame her wild ways.
The song is a lighthearted, humorous look at the impact one person can have on others. It's a reminder that sometimes the unexpected can bring joy and excitement to an otherwise mundane existence. "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" is a classic tune that captures a moment in time when life was simpler, and the unexpected arrival of someone new could be a source of entertainment and delight.
Line by Line Meaning
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Referring to a woman who is causing a commotion in the town of Shady Lane
Has hit the town like a bomb
Her arrival has had a significant impact on the town
The back fence gossip
Local gossip
Ain′t been this good
Hasn't been this exciting or interesting
Since Mabel ran off with Tom
The last time there was this much drama was when Mabel left Tom
Our town was peaceful and quiet
The town was tranquil before her arrival
Before she came on the scene
Before the woman arrived in town
The lady has started a riot
The woman has caused chaos
(A riot, riot)
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
Disturbing the suburban routine
Causing a disturbance in the quiet neighborhood
Has the town in a whirl
Has caused a lot of excitement in the town
Me, oh, my, oh, what a girl
Expressing amazement at the woman's behavior
You should see how see carries on
Describing the woman's behavior
With her admirers galore
Surrounded by numerous admirers
She must be giving them quite a thrill
Assuming that the woman is exciting and appealing to her admirers
The way they flock to her door
Many people are visiting her
She throws those come hither glances
She is using flirtatious looks to attract attention and interest
At every Tom, Dick and Joe
She is flirting with any available man
When offered some liquid refreshment
When offered a drink
The lady never, never says no
She always accepts drinks offered to her
Won′t hold much water, I'm sure
The accusations against the woman are unlikely to be true
Beneath the powder and fancy lace
Despite her superficial appearance
There beats a heart sweet and pure
Her true nature is kind and genuine
She just needs someone to change her
Implies that the woman needs guidance or influence to change her behavior
Then she'll be nice as can be
If she changes her ways, she will be very pleasant
If you′re in the neighborhood
If you are nearby
Stranger (come in)
Inviting strangers to visit her
You′re welcome to drop in and see
Inviting people to visit her
She's delectable, quite respectable
Describing the woman as attractive and respectable
She′s a brand new baby girl
Referring to her as a young woman
Writer(s): Sid Tepper, Roy C. Bennett
Contributed by Isabella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@loisraymcinnis6006
Oh my; what a song 21-JUN-2023. 4:56 PM WED.
@Hozzizay
Me oh my, mine, mía mine
@ianblakesley3349
The Spike Jones comparison is very appropriate. Archie Bleyer (who owned Cadence) could afford to have a bit of fun with this novelty (and give some work to anonymous sessioneers!).
@darrylcpreston4043
Those 'anonymous sessioneers' had just won the HERNANDO'S HIDEAWAY sweepstakes [#2] with a slightly more mainstream version of this kind of humor.
@brandonkozak9696
This version is quite Spike Jones-esque.
@edgarpenaflor6712
Is this the first version?
@the78prof72
I don't have a recording date for the Bleyer version, but it was probably after the first-released version
by the Ames Brothers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Naughty_Lady_of_Shady_Lane