Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
East of the Rockies
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I left my baby east of the Rockies
North of the Rio Grande
West of M'sippi
South of Dakota land.
When you hit Texas
Take Route 33
Turn right at Dreamy Valley
Standin' 'neath the apple tree.
I'll make a little trip for my uncle
But, I'll return I know
And I'll remember
Just where I has to go.
East of the Rockies
North of the Rio Grande
West of M'sippi
South of Dakota land.
Just think of Texas
Route 33
Dreamy Valley
Lover's Alley
Stop and see the apple tree
Find my baby waitin' there for me.
Bobby:
I left my baby east of the Rockies
North of the Rio Grande
West of Missouri
South of Dakota land.
When you hit upon Texas
Take Route 33
Turn right at Dreamy Valley
Left at Lover's Alley
Standin' 'neath the apple tree.
My boat is shovin' off and I'm sailin'
But, I'll return I know
And I'll remember
Just where I have to go.
East of the Rockies
North of the Rio Grande
Hey, west of M'sippi
South of Dakota land
Just think a Texas
Route 33
Dreamy Valley
Lover's Alley
Stop and see the apple tree.
Both:
I'll find my baby waitin'
I ain't procrastinatin'
My baby's waitin' there for me.
"East of the Rockies" is a song by Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer. It is about a man who has left his lover in a location that is east of the Rocky Mountains, north of the Rio Grande, west of the Mississippi River, and south of Dakota land. The lyrics refer to the man's plan to return to his lover, and they provide a road map for finding her: Route 33 in Texas, turn right at Dreamy Valley, then left at Lover's Alley, and his lover will be waiting for him beneath the apple tree.
The use of geographic locations in the song creates a sense of longing and distance. The man left his lover, but he is determined to return to her. The lyrics suggest that the journey to find his lover is an adventure in itself, and the act of finding his lover is the ultimate goal.
The song was recorded by Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer in 1961. It was released as a single and became a minor hit, reaching number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was included on Darin's 1962 album, "Oh! Look At Me Now," and it has since been covered by several other artists.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my baby east of the Rockies
I left my lover to the east of the Rocky Mountains
North of the Rio Grande
She is located to the north side of Rio Grande in Texas
West of M'sippi
She is located to the west of Mississippi River
South of Dakota land.
She is located to the south of North and South Dakota
When you hit Texas
Take Route 33
When you reach Texas, follow Route 33
Turn right at Dreamy Valley
Left at Lover's Alley
Standin' 'neath the apple tree.
Turn right at Dreamy Valley, then turn left at Lover's Alley and you will find her standing beneath an apple tree
I'll make a little trip for my uncle
But, I'll return I know
And I'll remember
Just where I has to go.
I am temporarily leaving to go on a trip for my uncle, but I will be back and I'm aware of the location where she is waiting for me
Hey, west of M'sippi
She is located to the west of Mississippi River (again)
My boat is shovin' off and I'm sailin'
But, I'll return I know
And I'll remember
Just where I have to go.
I am leaving by boat but I will definitely come back and I am aware of where I have to go
I'll find my baby waitin'
I ain't procrastinatin'
My baby's waitin' there for me.
I will find my lover waiting for me and I won't delay as she is eagerly waiting for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SYDNEY ROBIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.