A year later, Friedman struck a chord in the UK, this time with a magical duet (performed with singer Denise Marsa) entitled Lucky Stars. Lucky Stars zoomed to #3 in the UK singles charts going instantly gold.
The now classic single Lucky Stars paved the way for a slew of hits off of Friedman's humorously titled album "Well, Well" Said the Rocking Chair", including familiar tracks such as Lydia and Rocking Chair as well as singles from his first album, Woman of Mine and Ariel.
Dean Friedman holds the honor of having one of his songs banned by the BBC. The song goes "I am in love with a McDonalds girl." Because the song had the name of a business in it, the BBC wouldn't play it.
Dean wrote the music for the UK TV series "Boon" and is also known in his local area as a children's entertainer with such songs as "I'm Somebody Too", "Brush Your Teeth" and "Never, Never Play With Matches". In addition, he has released a collection of "Silly Hebrew School songs for silly Jewish kids covering Jewish holidays".
Now in his 50s, Dean still writes, records and tours.
Discography:
Dean Friedman (1977)
"Well, Well" Said the Rocking Chair (1978)
Rumpled Romeo (1981)
Live! At The Duke of York (1985)
Music From 'Boon' - TV Soundtrack (1986)
Dean's 'Kids Songs' (????)
A Million Matzoh Balls (????)
I Bought A Vampire Motorcyle - Soundtrack (1990)
Songs for Grownups (1998)
Dean Friedman In Concert – Shepherds Bush Empire (1998)
The Treehouse Journals (2002)
Squirrels in the Attic (2006)
Submarine Races (2010)
See www.deanfriedman.com for more information.
Ariel
Dean Friedman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep in the bosom of suburbia
I met a young girl she sang mighty fine
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
Standing by the water fall in Paramus Park
She was working for the friends of BAI
She was collecting quarters in a paper cup
She was a Jewish girl, I fell in love with her
She wrote her number on the back of my hand
I called her up, I was all out of breath
I said, "Come hear me play in my rock and roll band"
I took a shower and I put on my best blue jeans
I picked her up in my new VW van
She wore a peasant blouse with nothing underneath
I said "Hi", she said, "Yeah, I guess I am"
Ariel, Ariel
We had a little time, we were real hungry
We went to Dairy Queen for something to eat
She had some onion rings, she had a pickle
She forgot to tell me that she didn't eat meat
I had a gig in the American Legion hall
It was a dance for the Volunteer Ambulance Corps
She was sitting in a corner against the wall
She would smile and I melted all over the floor
Ariel, Ariel
I took her home with me, we watched some TV
Annette Funicello and some guy going steady
I started fooling around with the vertical hold
We got the munchies and I made some spaghetti
We sat and we talked into the night
While channel two was signing off the air
I found the softness of her mouth
We made love, the bombs bursting in air
Ariel, Ariel, Ariel, Ariel
Way on the other side of the Hudson
Deep in the bosom of suburbia
I met a young girl
She sang mighty fine
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
The lyrics to Dean Friedman's song Ariel are about a young Jewish girl that the singer meets while she's working for the friends of BAI collecting money in a paper cup. After meeting her, the singer falls in love with her and calls her up to invite her to come watch him play in his rock and roll band. They hit it off and spend some time together, going to Dairy Queen and making spaghetti. They end up watching TV together and as they make love, bombs burst in the air outside.
The song is about the innocence and beauty of young love, with the singer admiring Ariel's beauty and her ability to sing "mighty fine." The references to suburbia and American Legion hall dance for the Volunteer Ambulance Corps lend a sense of nostalgia to the song, making it feel as though it's a memory from an earlier, simpler time. The lyrics are romantic and endearing, painting a picture of two young people falling in love amid the backdrop of suburban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Way on the other side of the Hudson
I met a girl who lived far away from me.
Deep in the bosom of suburbia
She lived in a peaceful, suburban area.
I met a young girl she sang mighty fine
I met a girl who had a beautiful singing voice.
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
I was feeling sad and prayed for comfort.
Standing by the water fall in Paramus Park
We met at a park near a waterfall in Paramus.
She was working for the friends of BAI
She was employed by the friends of BAI organization.
She was collecting quarters in a paper cup
She was collecting donations in a paper cup.
She was looking for change and so was I
We were both searching for something different and exciting.
She was a Jewish girl, I fell in love with her
She was Jewish and I fell deeply in love with her.
She wrote her number on the back of my hand
She gave me her phone number on the back of my hand.
I called her up, I was all out of breath
I was so excited when I called her that I was out of breath.
"Come hear me play in my rock and roll band"
I invited her to come hear me play in my band.
I took a shower and I put on my best blue jeans
I cleaned up and put on my best clothes for our date.
I picked her up in my new VW van
I drove my new Volkswagen van to pick her up.
She wore a peasant blouse with nothing underneath
She wore a peasant blouse without a bra.
"I said 'Hi', she said, 'Yeah, I guess I am'"
We exchanged greetings, and she responded with modesty.
Ariel, Ariel
Her name was Ariel, and it was on my mind.
We had a little time, we were real hungry
We had a short amount of time and were very hungry.
We went to Dairy Queen for something to eat
We went to Dairy Queen to grab some food.
She had some onion rings, she had a pickle
She ordered onion rings and a pickle at the restaurant.
She forgot to tell me that she didn't eat meat
She neglected to tell me she was a vegetarian.
I had a gig in the American Legion hall
I had a performance at the American Legion hall.
It was a dance for the Volunteer Ambulance Corps
It was a dance to raise funds for the Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
She was sitting in a corner against the wall
She was sitting alone in a corner against the wall.
She would smile and I melted all over the floor
When she smiled at me, my heart skipped a beat.
Ariel, Ariel
I couldn't stop thinking about Ariel.
I took her home with me, we watched some TV
I brought her back to my place, and we watched TV.
Annette Funicello and some guy going steady
We were watching Annette Funicello and a guy in a serious relationship.
I started fooling around with the vertical hold
I began adjusting the TV's vertical hold.
We got the munchies and I made some spaghetti
We got hungry and I cooked some spaghetti.
We sat and we talked into the night
We talked for hours, late into the night.
While channel two was signing off the air
While the TV station signed off for the night.
I found the softness of her mouth
We kissed and I discovered the tenderness of her lips.
We made love, the bombs bursting in air
We had sex while fireworks went off outside.
Ariel, Ariel, Ariel, Ariel
Her name echoed in my mind after we made love.
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
I cried myself to sleep and prayed for comfort.
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
I continued to cry and pray throughout the night.
Tears on my pillow and Ave Maria
My tears and prayers continued until morning.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Dean Friedman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elainesnow326
I always loved the line, “Hi,” she said, “Yeah, I guess I am.”
@tonioshea9870
Yes♡ Definitely memorable line!
@jennyisle6646
For whatever reason it's the location and reason for his gig that gets me..what a great couplet!
@nosillalaluna7078
Baby cakes ! That was "HIGH" and to this day , I can't pass up the chance to say exactly that 😁😉🤞😎 may THE GODS THAT BE , smile down on THEE ...keep on keepin' on XXX
@ArieHatesYoutubeHandles
XD
@scottlarson1548
If you lived in the 1970's, this joke got worn out quickly.
@Dougsdealin
Dr. Demento turned me into this song in suburban NJ with the transistor radio under my pillow. Loved the song then and obviously it still stirs something inside. Absolutely loved Dr Demento and other serialized radio shows like America's Top 40. Would listen to the radio for hours!
@groovepyre1186
Three cheers for the Doctor Demento show for introducing us to great weird and novelty songs!
@kevinronske9894
Listened to Demento in suburban Chicago.My favorite was The Phantom Windbreaker by Red Bovine about the trucker who ate copious amounts of beans.Demento has or had the largest vinyl collection and got Weird Al his start.
@bigchigurh06910360
First heard this song 1977. Thought the name was the most beautiful I'd ever heard. Sounded like music when I said it.
Always said if I had a daughter I would name her Ariel. I did.