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 Mummy", the "B" side "The Beat Generation" 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. McFadden continued to work until the late 1980s, when poor health put him into retirement. He died in Delray Beach, Florida in 2000, twelve days before he would have turned 77.
The Beat Generation
Bob McFadden & Dor 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.
Dor, spoken: Yeah, wail, man, wail.
I belong to the beat generation.
I belong to the beat generation.
And everything's goin' just fine.
Dor, spoken: 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.
Dor, spoken: What a beat in the White House.
I belong to the beat generation, yeah.
I don't let anything trouble my mind.
Dor, spoken: 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.
Dor sighs.
So keep your country cottage, your house and lawn so green.
I just want a one-room pad where I can make the scene.
Dor, spoken: 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.
Dor, spoken: Oh, oh man, poetry and jazz, yeah.
Tom: I belong to the beat generation.
Dor, spoken: Yeah.
Tom: I don't let anything/Dor: Now that's my story.
Tom: Trouble my mind, hey.
Dor, spoken: Hey, let's split for the coffee house.
/Tom: I belong to the beat generation.
Dor, spoken: Man' we've made this scene long enough.
Tom: Oh yes, just fine.
Fade.
I belong to the beat generation.
I don't let anything.
The lyrics of "The Beat Generation" by Bob McFadden & Dor depict the counterculture movement of the 1950s and 1960s, which rejected bourgeois values and celebrated individuality, nonconformity, and freedom. In the song, the singer espouses his preferences for a laid-back lifestyle over material success, his love for women of different heights, and his defiance of social norms like shaving and dressing up. He identifies himself as a member of the beat generation, a term coined by Jack Kerouac to describe a group of poets, writers, and bohemians who rejected mainstream culture and sought spiritual enlightenment through artistic expression, drugs, and Eastern philosophy.
The lyrics also express the idea that being true to oneself and living a simple, carefree life is more fulfilling than working a nine-to-five job or pursuing conventional goals like homeownership or marriage. The singer takes pride in his idiosyncrasies and his lack of concern for what others think of him. He declares that he doesn't let anything trouble his mind, suggesting a Zen-like detachment from worldly concerns.
Overall, "The Beat Generation" celebrates the rebel spirit and the pursuit of authentic experience over conformity and consumerism, which were hallmarks of the post-war American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people like to rock. Some people like to roll.
Some individuals enjoy different types of music.
But me, I like to sit around to satisfy my soul.
I prefer relaxation to fulfill me.
I like my women short. I like my women tall.
I have no particular preference in women except for height.
And that's about the only thing I really dig at all.
Those are my only notable interests.
I belong to the beat generation.
I identify with the beat generation.
I don't let anything trouble my mind.
I do not let anything bother me.
And everything's goin' just fine.
Everything is currently all right.
Some people say I'm lazy and my life's a wreck.
Others criticize my lack of productivity and unstable life.
But that stuff doesn't faze me, I get unemployment checks.
I am unaffected by their judgments and receive benefits.
I run around in sandals, I never, ever shave.
I like to wear sandals and never shave.
And that's the way I wanna be when someone digs my grave.
I want to maintain my lifestyle even in death.
I once knew a man who worked from nine to five.
I had a friend who had a standard job.
Just to pay his monthly bills was why he stayed alive.
He only lived to pay his bills.
So keep your country cottage, your house and lawn so green.
I do not desire traditional aspects of wealth.
I just want a one-room pad where I can make the scene.
I want a small place to express myself and my interests.
I belong to the beat generation.
I still identify with the beat generation.
Like-a, I belong to the beat generation.
I belong to the beat generation.
Oh, oh man, poetry and jazz, yeah.
I appreciate poetry and jazz music.
I belong to the beat generation.
I once again reiterate my identification with the beat generation.
Now that's my story.
that is my narrative.
Writer(s): Richard Hell
Contributed by Joseph P. 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!