After Neil Sedaka publicly announced his fascination for the precocious Brill Building songwriter with his song, Oh! Carol, Carole publicly humiliates him by writing and recording this answer song in which she brushes him off.
Oh! Neil
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've loved you for so long
I never dreamed you'd put me in a song
I'm Carol
And I live in Tennessee
I never hoped that you'd remember me
My pulse skipped a beat
My heart felt so heavy
Like I had too much to eat
Then you took me walking in the moonlight
It was, oh, so sublime
I had too much molasses
And your lips stuck to mine
Oh! Neil
I'd even give up a month's supply of chewin' tobacky
Just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaky
My Grandpappy, he don't like your records
He said if I play them, I will surely die
Lookout, I see him comin' with his shotgun!
There's nothing left to do\
Oh! Neil
I'll surely die for you!
(Shotgun blast)
(Grandpappy) I told that gal not to play them dad-gum Neil Sedaky records!
Carole King’s song Oh! Neil is a sweet, lighthearted tribute to the popular singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka. The lyrics are charming and nostalgic, recounting a story of a young girl falling in love with Neil after meeting him at a square dance. Despite the fact that Neil includes her in one of his songs, Carole never expects him to remember her. She is so enamored with him that she would give up everything, including her grandpappy’s approval, just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaka. The song’s humorous ending, featuring a shotgun-wielding grandpappy, adds to the playful tone of the song.
The song can be interpreted as a sweet but humorous expression of fandom and teenage infatuation. The use of specific details, like the moonlit walk, adds to the nostalgic tone of the song. The repeated refrain of “Oh! Neil” emphasizes the singer’s admiration for Neil, and her willingness to sacrifice everything for him. The song’s humorous ending adds some levity to the story, and suggests that the singer is not taking herself too seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh! Neil
Addressing Neil Sedaky
I've loved you for so long
I have had feelings for you for an extended period.
I never dreamed you'd put me in a song
I never expected to be mentioned in one of your songs.
And I live in Tennessee
I reside in Tennessee.
I never hoped that you'd remember me
I didn't expect you to remember me.
Darling, when I saw you at the square dance
My dear, when I saw you at the square dance.
My pulse skipped a beat
My heart rate quickened in response to seeing you.
My heart felt so heavy
I felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Like I had too much to eat
Expressing the sensation of being over-full or satisfied in a non-food related context.
Then you took me walking in the moonlight
You escorted me for a walk under the moon's light.
It was, oh, so sublime
It was wonderful and transcendent.
I had too much molasses
I was in a heightened state of bliss.
And your lips stuck to mine
Our kiss was passionate and intense.
I'd even give up a month's supply of chewin' tobacky
I would trade a significant pleasure in my life for a chance to be married to you.
Just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaky
Incredibly eager to be wed to you and taking on your last name.
My Grandpappy, he don't like your records
My grandfather is not fond of your music.
He said if I play them, I will surely die
Grandfather believes playing your music is a death sentence for me.
Lookout, I see him comin' with his shotgun!
I am alarmed, my grandfather is approaching with a firearm.
There's nothing left to do
I am out of options in this dire situation.
I'll surely die for you!
I am so devoted to you that I am willing to give my life for you.
(Shotgun blast)
The sound of a firearm discharge.
(Grandpappy) I told that gal not to play them dad-gum Neil Sedaky records!
Grandfather upset at the situation, reiterates his disapproval of Neil Sedaky's music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GERRY GOFFIN, HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
zanti209
Great answer song. A real hoot! Lyrics below. Enjoy!
Oh! Neil
I’ve loved you for so long.
I never dreamed
You’d put me in song.
I’m Carole
And I live in Tennessee.
I never hoped
That you’d remember me.
Darling, when I saw you at the square dance
My pulse skipped a beat.
My heart felt so heavy
Like I had too much to eat.
Then, you took me walkin’ in the moonlight
It was all so sublime.
Now, I had too much molasses
And your lips stuck to mine.
Oh! Neil
I’d even give up a month’s supply of chewing tobaccy
Just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaky.
My gran’ pappy,
He don’t like your records.
He said if I play them
I will surely die.
Look out! I see him coming with his shotgun.
There’s nothing left to do.
Oh! Neil,
I’ll surely die for you!<pop>(I told that gal not to play them dag-gone Neil Sedaky records!)
Martial Movies 2021
Oh!
Oh!
Neil
Neil
Te he amado por tanto tiempo
I've loved you for so long
Nunca soñé que me pondrías en una canción
I never dreamed you'd put me in a song
Soy carol
I'm Carol
Y vivo en Tennessee
And I live in Tennessee
Nunca esperé que me recordaras
I never hoped that you'd remember me
Cariño, cuando te vi en el baile cuadrado
Darling, when I saw you at the square dance
Mi pulso dio un vuelco
My pulse skipped a beat
Mi corazón se sintió tan pesado
My heart felt so heavy
Como si tuviera demasiado para comer
Like I had too much to eat
Entonces me llevaste caminando a la luz de la luna
Then you took me walking in the moonlight
Fue, oh, tan sublime
It was, oh, so sublime
Tuve demasiada melaza
I had too much molasses
Y tus labios pegados a los míos
And your lips stuck to mine
Oh!
Oh!
Neil
Neil
Incluso renunciaría al suministro de un mes de chewin 'tobacky
I'd even give up a month's supply of chewin' tobacky
Solo para ser conocida como la Sra. Neil Sedaky
Just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaky
Mi abuelo, no le gustan tus discos
My Grandpappy, he don't like your records
Dijo que si los juego, seguramente moriré
He said if I play them, I will surely die
¡Cuidado, lo veo venir con su escopeta!
Lookout, I see him comin' with his shotgun!
No queda nada por hacer
There's nothing left to do\
Oh!
Oh!
Neil
Neil
¡Seguramente moriré por ti!
I'll surely die for you!
¡Le dije a esa chica que no tocara los discos de papá-chicle Neil Sedaky!
I told that gal not to play them dad-gum Neil Sedaky records!
Fuente: LyricFind
Compositores: Gerry Goffin / Howard Greenfield / Neil Sedaka
Letra de Oh Neil © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
zanti209
Great answer song. A real hoot! Lyrics below. Enjoy!
Oh! Neil
I’ve loved you for so long.
I never dreamed
You’d put me in song.
I’m Carole
And I live in Tennessee.
I never hoped
That you’d remember me.
Darling, when I saw you at the square dance
My pulse skipped a beat.
My heart felt so heavy
Like I had too much to eat.
Then, you took me walkin’ in the moonlight
It was all so sublime.
Now, I had too much molasses
And your lips stuck to mine.
Oh! Neil
I’d even give up a month’s supply of chewing tobaccy
Just to be known as Mrs. Neil Sedaky.
My gran’ pappy,
He don’t like your records.
He said if I play them
I will surely die.
Look out! I see him coming with his shotgun.
There’s nothing left to do.
Oh! Neil,
I’ll surely die for you!<pop>(I told that gal not to play them dag-gone Neil Sedaky records!)
Retro Reklám
thx
zanti209
@Mercury King That's Carole's gran pappy. He warned her not to play Neil's records.
Mercury King
Could you tell me who is the man in the end of the song? Thanks in advance
zanti209
@Siva Bandaru Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PekwWBHDKik The lyrics are posted by Imagenes y Palabras in the comments section. Enjoy!
Siva Bandaru
Can u share the lyrics of Oh Carol too.
Gato
This was supposed to be a joke record, but it's still pretty darn good
Alan Stevenson-Graham
Not a joke record at all, there was a spate of 'answer' records coming out, for example, The Devil Came Back To Georgia and a lot more, it became a fad
Eric Lurio
well she was a genius after all.
NOLAW47
I come from the era of Carole and Neil but I have never heard this song before, love it. Greatly appreciated for sharing.