The Beatnik Termites are an influential Cleveland, Ohio based power pop ban… Read Full Bio ↴The Beatnik Termites are an influential Cleveland, Ohio based power pop band with a heavy surf influence. The band's original line up of Brian McCafferty on bass, Reggie Silvestri on drums and Pat Kim (Pat Termite) on guitar and lead vocals formed in 1987. Their sound and vocals are similar in style to the Beach Boys and early 60's girl groups. While often lumped under the category pop-punk, what sets them apart from other bands in this genre is their more complicated melodies, vocal arrangements, and mid-tempo beats. They are seen as the progenitors of subgenre of punk dubbed "oldiescore", which is characterized by sugary doo-wop / oldies influenced harmonies coupled with aggressive buzzsaw guitars and surf-punk drumbeats. Examples of other bands derivative of this style (some of whom cite the Beatnik Termites as a direct influence) include the Spazzys, the Proms, the Travoltas and the Unlovables. The Beatnik Termites are also cited as a major influence by numerous straightforward pop-punk acts including the Teen Idols, Mach Pelican, and the Steinways. In fact, the highly successful pop-punk band, the Queers are rumored to have named their "Bubblegum Dreams" EP after two earlier Beanik Termites releases, "Bubblecore" and "Schoolboy's Dream", respectively, even co-opting the artwork theme from "Bubblecore". Artists of diverse musical genres, including Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain is documented to have cited the Beatnik Termites as one of his favorite bands in the Cobain Diaries.

After releasing several EPs and compilation tracks, the Beatnik Termites released their seminal first full-length album, Taste the Sand, in 1995, which established them as the torch bearers of the oldiescore genre. In 1996, they recorded Bubblecore, a foray into harder edged sounds. In 2003, they returned to their classic oldies-influenced sound with Girl Crazy Also of note, in 1997 the band covered the Ramones 1981 album Pleasant Dreams. The Beatnik Termites' catalog is currently available on Insubordination Records.

Denise
Beatnik Termites Lyrics

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I go to church on Sunday mornings
I sit up front so I can see
A girl I want that's in the choir
I wonder if she'll look at me

Can't keep my eyes away from her face
I sit up front so I can see
Her name's Denise God's little beauty

I wonder if she'll look at me

Denise Denise sings in the choir
Denise Denise sings in my heart
I hope she doesn't mind me watching
Me standing there singing her part

She stands out like an angel from heaven
She stands out like a vision from God
I think he put me here to meet her
The other people just think I'm odd

Some day I'm going to meet her
Some day I'm gonna make her mine
If I don't my doctor tells me
Someday I might be just fine

Denise Denise will I ever meet you
Denise Denise will you sing in my heart

If I don't get the nerve to say something
We'll forever be apart

Overall Meaning

The Beatnik Termites's song Denise tells a story of a man deeply infatuated with a girl he sees every Sunday in church. His longing for her is so intense that he cannot keep his eyes away from her face and will even stand up front during choir practices just to catch a glimpse of her. Denise's beautiful voice and angelic presence have captured his heart and he believes that he was put there by God to meet her. While others may think he is odd, he believes that Denise is God's little beauty and he hopes that she feels the same way about him.

The lyrics are both sweet and slightly obsessive, portraying a man who is desperate for this girl's attention and love. He wishes to meet her so that he can make her his own, but expresses concerns that he may not have the nerve to do so. In the end, he fears that if he does not act soon, he will never have the chance to be with her.

Line by Line Meaning

I go to church on Sunday mornings
I attend church on Sunday mornings

I sit up front so I can see
I take a seat closer to the front so that I can watch someone

A girl I want that's in the choir
There's a girl in the choir whom I desire

I wonder if she'll look at me
I'm curious if she'll notice me

Can't keep my eyes away from her face
I can't help but keep my gaze towards her face

I sit up front so I can see
I choose to sit close to the front to have a better view of her

Her name's Denise God's little beauty
She goes by the name Denise and is a beautiful creation of God

I wonder if she'll look at me
I'm unsure if she'll acknowledge my presence

Denise Denise sings in the choir
Denise sings in the choir

Denise Denise sings in my heart
Denise is dear to my heart

I hope she doesn't mind me watching
I hope my observation doesn't bother her