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
Third Stone From The Sun
Dick Dale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Star fleet to scout ship, please give your position. Over.
I'm in orbit around the third planet from the star called the sun. Over.
You mean it's the Earth? Over.
Positive. It is known to have some form of intelligent species. Over.
I think we should take a look.
{intro slowwed down talking ends}
With your majestic silver seas
Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer
May I land my kinky machine?
{start slowed down}
Strange beautiful, grass of green
With your majestic silver seas
Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer
May I land my kinky machine?
{end slowed down}
Although your world wonders me,
With your majestic and superior cackling hen
Your people I do not understand,
So to you I shall put an end
And you'll never hear surf music again
{start slowed down...rough guess at lyrics}
Secret
Oh, secret
Oh
Shhhh...
{end slowed down}
The lyrics of Dick Dale's "Third Stone From The Sun" are a conversation between two individuals, one from a star fleet and the other who is orbiting the Earth. The star fleet individual, who believes that the Earth has intelligent life, suggests that they take a closer look, to which the other agrees. The song then transitions into an appreciation for the Earth's beauty, with the singer describing the "strange beautiful grass of green," the "majestic silver seas," and the "mysterious mountains" they wish to see closer. However, the singer goes on to say that they do not understand the Earth's people and that they will put an end to them, which is followed by a mysterious, whispered suggestion to keep a secret.
The lyrics of "Third Stone From The Sun" can be interpreted in different ways by different listeners, but a common interpretation is that the song is a commentary on human arrogance and destruction of the natural world. The singer, representing a powerful alien civilization, recognizes the beauty of the Earth but also sees humans as inferior and not worth understanding. The reference to surf music, which Dick Dale helped popularize, may suggest that the destruction of human culture is also on the alien's agenda.
Line by Line Meaning
Star fleet to scout ship, please give your position. Over.
Asking for the location of the scout ship in orbit around Earth, using military communication jargon.
I'm in orbit around the third planet from the star called the sun. Over.
Providing the location of the scout ship, orbiting Earth while also acknowledging the communication protocol.
You mean it's the Earth? Over.
Clarifying and confirming that the scout ship is in orbit around planet Earth.
Positive. It is known to have some form of intelligent species. Over.
Informing that Earth is indeed known to have intelligent life forms, and acknowledging the communication protocol.
I think we should take a look.
Expressing the intention to examine the Earth and its inhabitants more closely, without any jargon or formality.
Strange beautiful, grass of green
Describing the beauty of Earth's green grass, which might seem strange or unique to an extraterrestrial observer.
With your majestic silver seas
Commenting on the magnificent sight of Earth's large bodies of water, which might appear silver-like from space.
Your mysterious mountains I wish to see closer
Expressing curiosity and a desire to explore the enigmatic-looking mountains on Earth.
May I land my kinky machine?
Asking if it's okay to bring their unusual spacecraft (referred to as 'kinky machine') to land on Earth's surface.
Although your world wonders me,
Expressing admiration and fascination for Earth as a whole.
With your majestic and superior cackling hen
Sarcasm directed at Earth's most common domesticated animal, the chicken, which might seem far less impressive than other creatures encountered elsewhere in the universe.
Your people I do not understand,
Acknowledging the cultural and linguistic barriers between earthlings and extraterrestrial beings and their inability to understand humans.
So to you I shall put an end
Emphasizing that their presence will cause the surf music Earthlings love so much to come to an end.
And you'll never hear surf music again
Stating the intention to disrupt human culture and put an end to a type of music that is highly appreciated on Earth.
Secret
Whispering a mysterious word ('secret'), which could connote hidden knowledge or intentions.
Oh, secret
Repeating the word ('secret') as if to emphasize its significance or suspenseful nature.
Oh
An interjection or exclamation, which could signal various emotions such as surprise, curiosity, or relief.
Shhhh...
Making a gesture of silence and signaling a possible plan to carry out these secret intentions without being detected by humans.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIMI HENDRIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jreber
This may be the best cover of all time. RIP, Jimi and Dale.
@muzic3977
Certainly the most ironic!
@jonahsmith2757
I’ve never heard this tune until today when I heard he passed away... Dick Dale covering a Jimi Hendrix tune is just too awesome! Dick Dale, Nokie Edwards, and Jimi Hendrix are the reason I picked up a guitar to begin with. Thanks for the inspiration! R.I.P.
@n.e.barton1299
Dick Dale and Jimi were friends. :-)
@tone-e3358
He was in a coma from a surfing accident, when he woke up and learned Jimi had passed on, he instantly picked up his guitar and played this song
@tacosauce4384
RIP Dick Dale. Hope you and Jimi are rocking together.
@yellowbelly7863
Rip Dick Dale, and Jimi Hendrix. History does not have enough room to encapsulate the greatness they brought to music.
@alfonsoacastro
Ahhh Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Vaughan , please show Mr. Dale how it is in Heaven . Show him the guitars waiting for him and play like no other!
@benwilliams3469
Fonzo Castro dont forget Jaco!!
@johnholland605
What a fucking tribute.....Jimi mustve been crying from heaven when he heard his hero answer him like this ....Lovely