McFadden was born in East Liverpool, Ohio and was in the United States Navy in World War II when he got his start as a singer and impressionist. He went on to do an opening act for the likes of Harry Belafonte in Pittsburgh where he worked at a steel mill. McFadden continued in this vein for years until a move to New York in the mid 1960s, which resulted in a great deal of voice-over work in commercials and animation. In the late 1950s he collaborated with Rod McKuen on a single entitled "The Beat Generation" that parodied the then-emerging literary community of the name; on this record, McKuen used the pseudonym "Dor" and later claimed that Bill Haley & His Comets were the band used for the recording session, though this has not been confirmed. McFadden and McKuen also released a full-length album in 1959 called "Songs Our Mummy Taught Us" (Brunswick 54056). In 1963, McFadden released the parody album "Fast, Fast Relief From TV Commercials" (Audio Fidelity AFSD 6112).
He lived in Leonia, New Jersey.[1] McFadden continued to work until the late 1980s, when poor health put him into retirement. He died in Delray Beach, Florida in 2000.
The Beat Generation
Bob McFadden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But me, I like to sit around to satisfy my soul
I like my women short. I like my women tall
And that′s about the only thing I really dig at all
Yeah, wail, man, wail
I belong to the beat generation
I belong to the beat generation
And everything′s goin' just fine
Weirdsville, yeah!
Some people say I'm lazy and my life′s a wreck
But that stuff doesn′t faze me, I get unemployment checks
I run around in sandals, I never, ever shave
And that's the way I wanna be when someone digs my grave
What a beat in the White House
I belong to the beat generation, yeah
I don′t let anything trouble my mind
Sneaky Pete, yeah
I belong to the beat generation
When everything's goin′ just fine
[Dor, spoken:] Back on the road
I once knew a man who worked from nine to five
Just to pay his monthly bills was why he stayed alive
So keep your country cottage, your house and lawn so green
I just want a one-room pad where I can make the scene
So out it's in
I belong to the beat generation
I don′t let anything trouble my mind
Like-a, I belong to the beat generation
And everything's goin' just fine
Oh, oh man, poetry and jazz, yeah
I belong to the beat generation
Yeah
I don′t let anything
Now that′s my story
Trouble my mind, hey
Hey, let's split for the coffee house
I belong to the beat generation
Man′ we've made this scene long enough
Oh yes, just fine
I belong to the beat generation
I don′t let anything...
The song "The Beat Generation" by Bob McFadden is a satirical and sarcastic take on the Beat Generation, which was a cultural movement that emerged in the 1950s and emphasized spontaneity, freedom, and rebellion against mainstream society. The first verse of the song establishes the singer's preference for a laid-back lifestyle, where he is content with merely existing and being in the moment. He also expresses his love for women of all heights, which is perhaps a nod to the Beat Generation's supposed fascination with sexual liberation.
The chorus of the song makes it clear that the singer is proud to belong to the Beat Generation and does not let anything trouble him. He talks about being content with living in a one-room pad and eschewing material possessions in favor of experiencing life on his own terms. The final verse of the song tells the story of a man who spends his entire life working a 9-to-5 job just to pay his bills, which serves as a contrast to the singer's own lifestyle.
Overall, the song is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the Beat Generation's values and lifestyle, with the singer poking fun at stereotypes associated with the movement. It paints a picture of a carefree, nonchalant existence that is both alluring and amusing.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people like to rock. Some people like to roll
People have different preferences when it comes to music and entertainment.
But me, I like to sit around to satisfy my soul
I prefer to relax and take it easy in order to find satisfaction.
I like my women short. I like my women tall
When it comes to women, I don't really have a preference for their height.
And that's about the only thing I really dig at all
Height is the only thing about women that I find important or interesting.
I belong to the beat generation
I identify with the social and cultural movement known as the beat generation.
I don't let anything trouble my mind
I don't worry or stress about things that other people might find important.
Weirdsville, yeah!
I embrace and enjoy the unconventional and bizarre aspects of life and culture.
Some people say I'm lazy and my life's a wreck
Some people view me as unproductive or unsuccessful in my life choices.
But that stuff doesn't faze me, I get unemployment checks
The opinions of others don't affect me and I receive financial support from the government.
I run around in sandals, I never, ever shave
I have a relaxed and carefree attitude towards personal grooming and fashion.
And that's the way I wanna be when someone digs my grave
I want to live and die on my own terms, in a way that is authentic to myself.
What a beat in the White House
Even the most powerful political office in the world can be influenced by counterculture movements.
Sneaky Pete, yeah
A reference to the nickname of jazz musician Pete Brown, who was associated with the beatnik movement.
When everything's goin' just fine
I am content and satisfied with my life as it is currently.
Back on the road
Moving on to the next adventure or location in life.
I once knew a man who worked from nine to five
A reference to the typical workday for many people in society.
Just to pay his monthly bills was why he stayed alive
Many people work simply to earn enough money to support themselves and their families.
So keep your country cottage, your house and lawn so green
I am not interested in the materialistic trappings of mainstream society.
I just want a one-room pad where I can make the scene
All I need is a simple and comfortable living space where I can express myself creatively and socially.
So out it's in
The rejection of mainstream values and lifestyle is a defining characteristic of the beat generation.
Oh, oh man, poetry and jazz, yeah
An appreciation for artistic expression in the form of poetry and jazz music.
Man' we've made this scene long enough
It's time to move on from this particular experience or moment.
Now that's my story
This is how I choose to live my life and express myself creatively.
Hey, let's split for the coffee house
Let's go to a place where we can socialize and enjoy artistic expression.
I belong to the beat generation
A reaffirmation of the singer's identification with the beat generation.
Oh yes, just fine
I am content and happy with my life choices and experiences.
I don't let anything trouble my mind, hey
I remain free of worry or stress and stay true to myself.
Writer(s): Larry John Mcnally
Contributed by Christopher K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jonathan Levine
Hi-larious. All these years I had no idea that Blank Generation was a riff on a Rod McKuen piece, and a friend just turned me onto it now. Huge respect to McKuen for (apparently) being cool with it, because Hell really did record the greatest punk-era anthem.
David Cordisco
Listen Armstrong dis track to the Beat Generation, also called Beat(scene) Generation
BashBrand
A few years ago Richard Hell did a book launch in my local pub, and afterwards I asked him if he belonged to the Beat Generation. He kind of took a step back, swivelled his eyes and muttered something like “Uh-oh – you know that record?!” Arf. I don’t think it’s worth losing any sleep over though; both are top toons and have their own thing going on.
Young Nino
Read "Please Kill Me," it is widely known that his song was meant to be an update to this song.
Dfactor Pop
What I like about this version is that it's a complete send-up / piss-take on the Beat Generation's tendencies.
Johnasee
@Dfactor Pop meh, it's like some facetious ass take though.....it's like the boomers crying about millennials
O Kalos O Mylos
...and then everyone clapped
bigpoppaplump
I remember listening to this back in 1968. Damn I was stunned to hear it again after so very long ago. I still have the 45, as well. Wow factor is high.
jose ramone
One of my favorite songs. Reminds me of Bob Denver on Dobie Gillis. I was 11 when this came out, I'm 72 now. Hey, thanks.
Boukhaddada D. Fouad
Hello old man!