Dale is revered as one of the pioneers of surf rock and one of the most influential guitarists of the early 1960s. His technique influenced future guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen. He experimented with reverberation and made use of custom-made Fender amplifiers. Among Dale's most well-known songs are "Misirlou", "Surf Beat", and "Let's Go Trippin'". He also released music under Dick Dale & His Del-Tones.
Born Richard Anthony Mansour to a Lebanese father and a Polish mother, he soon learned to play the drums, the ukulele, and finally the guitar. Among his early musical influences was his uncle, an oud player performing belly dance music. A plethora of Dale's early material contains middle eastern musical influences. Dale's professional career began in 1959, playing with his band The Del-Tones for surfers at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, California. With authorities concerned about the mix of young people and guitars, one of the requirements at the Ballroom was that every male patron wear a tie, so the audience was often made up of barefooted guys in surfer garb wearing ties that were handed out at the door.
Dale is often credited as one of the first electric guitarist to employ exotic scales in his playing. When Dale started surfing he became so fascinated that he began seeking ways of channeling the energy and power of the sport through his guitar playing. While he is primarily known for introducing the use of guitar reverberation, which has since become a staple of the surf sound, it was Dale's fast staccato picking that was his trademark. Due to his left-handedness, Dale was initially forced to play a right-handed model. However, he did so without restringing the guitar, leading him to effectively play the guitar upside-down (while Hendrix would restring his guitar). Even after he acquired a proper left-handed guitar, Dale continued to use his reverse stringing.
Discography:
Albums:
1962 - Surfer's Choice (Deltone)
1963 - King of the Surf Guitar (Capitol)
1963 - Checkered Flag (Capitol)
1964 - Mr. Eliminator (Capitol)
1964 - Summer Surf (Capitol)
1965 - Rock Out With Dick Dale & His DelTones: Live At Ciro's (Capitol)
1983 - The Tigers Loose (Balboa)
1993 - Tribal Thunder (HighTone)
1994 - Unknown Territory
1996 - Calling Up Spirits (Beggars Banquet)
2001 - Spacial Disorientation
California Sun
Dick Dale Lyrics
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Where the days are short and the nights are long
Where I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Well, I'm going out west
Out on the coast
Where the California girls
Are really the most
And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Well, the girls are frisky
In old 'Frisco
A pretty little chick
Wherever you go
And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
The song "California Sun" by Dick Dale is a classic rock and roll song that celebrates the fun and freedom of California. The lyrics convey the singer's excitement about heading out west, where he can enjoy the warm sunshine, the beautiful California girls, and the wild party scene. The song is upbeat and energetic, with a catchy melody and simple, repetitive lyrics that are easy to sing along to.
The lyrics of "California Sun" reflect the carefree spirit of the era in which it was written. During the 1960s, California was seen as a symbol of freedom and rebellion against societal norms, and Dick Dale's song captures this sentiment perfectly. The song describes a world where everyone is out having fun, dancing, and enjoying life to the fullest. The singer's repetition of the phrases "I'll walk, and they walk, I'll twist, and they twist, I'll shimmy, and they shimmy, and I'll fly, and they fly" creates a sense of unity between himself and everyone around him, emphasizing the idea that California is a place where people come together to enjoy themselves.
Overall, "California Sun" is a classic rock and roll song that celebrates the joys of living life to the fullest. The lyrics convey a sense of excitement and energy, encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy the world around them. In many ways, the song captures the carefree spirit of the 1960s, when young people were breaking free from the constraints of society and embracing the pleasures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm going out west where I belong
I'm leaving my current location and heading towards the western United States.
Where the days are short and the nights are long
I am moving to an area where the days are shorter and the nights are longer.
Where I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
When I arrive, I'll do the same things the locals are doing - walking, twisting, shimmying, and flying - all while enjoying the warm California sun and having a good time.
Well, I'm going out west
Out on the coast
Where the California girls
Are really the most
I'm traveling to the west coast where the women of California are considered to be the most beautiful.
And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Once I arrive and meet some California girls, I'll join them in their activities - walking, twisting, shimmying, and flying - all while enjoying the warm California sun and having a good time.
Well, the girls are frisky
In old 'Frisco
A pretty little chick
Wherever you go
The women in San Francisco are lively and flirtatious, and you can find attractive women all over the city.
And I'll walk
And they walk
I'll twist
And they twist
And I'll shimmy
And they shimmy
And I'll fly
And they fly
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Wherever I go in California, I'll be doing the same things as the locals - walking, twisting, shimmying, and flying - all while enjoying the warm California sun and having a good time.
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
Where they're out there having fun
In the warm California sun
The people of California are enjoying their time in the warm sun, and I plan to do the same when I join them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Henry Glover, Morris Levy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind