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
Caravan
Dick Dale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The myst'ry of their fading light
That shines upon our caravan
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
Across the sand so I may keep
The mem'ry of our caravan
You are so inviting
Resting in my arms
As I thrill to the magic charms
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
My dream of love is coming true
Within our desert caravan
The lyrics of "Caravan" by Dick Dale paint a picture of a couple traveling in the desert, looking up at the night sky and the stars shining above. The opening stanzas evoke a sense of awe at the beauty and mystery of the fading light of the stars. As the couple travels in their caravan across the sand, the singer invites his companion to sleep on his shoulder so that he can bask in the memory of this moment. The lyrics are tender and romantic, focused on the intimacy and excitement of being with someone special in a beautiful and exotic location.
The final stanza emphasizes the magic of the moment, with the singer exclaiming that he feels excited and invited by his companion. His partner rests in his arms, and he is thrilled by her magic charms. The desert setting adds a layer of mystery to the moment, making the experience more intense and significant. Overall, the lyrics of "Caravan" are an invitation to embrace the ephemeral nature of life's most beautiful moments, and to cherish the memories that we create with the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Night and stars above that shine so bright
Describing the clear night sky with bright stars that shines brightly over them.
The myst'ry of their fading light
Wondering about the mystery behind the fading light of the stars.
That shines upon our caravan
The same stars provide light for their caravan to travel through the night.
Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep
As they travel slowly, she falls asleep and rests her head on his shoulder.
Across the sand so I may keep
He carefully guides the caravan across the sand, so he can treasure this moment with her.
The mem'ry of our caravan
He wants to keep their experience and memories of this night forever.
This is so exciting
The experience is thrilling and exciting for him.
You are so inviting
He is drawn to her and finds her very attractive.
Resting in my arms
He enjoys holding and cuddling with her.
As I thrill to the magic charms
He is enchanted and captivated by her charms and personality, making the moment even more magical.
Of you beside me here beneath the blue
They are enjoying the moment together under a clear blue sky.
My dream of love is coming true
He feels like he is living a dream by being with her.
Within our desert caravan
All of these experiences happened under the blanket of the stars with their caravan in the desert.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RACHEL MARY BERKELEY PORTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind