With his backing band The Del-Tones (bassist Ron Eglit, drummer Ron Fish and guitarist Carl Verhein), Dale's live performances became huge local draws. 1961's "Let's Go Trippin'" is often regarded as the first surf rock song. This was followed by more locally-released songs, including "Jungle Fever" and "Surf Beat" on his own Deltone label. His first full-length album was Surfers' Choice in 1962. The album was picked up by Capitol Records and distributed nationally, and Dale soon began appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show and in films. His second album was named after his performing nickname, King of the Surf Guitar.
Misirlou
Dick Dale & his Del Tones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.
There, silhouetted under and eastern star,
I see my long lost blossom of shalimar
You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.
You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.
To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above,
Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.
The lyrics of Dick Dale's "Misirlou" describes a love story that takes place in the desert, under the starry sky. The first lines of the song give us a visual of the desert, where the story unfolds. We can picture the desert slowly being taken over by the darkness of the night, the purple sands becoming shadowed. The image of the natives kneeling in prayer next to their caravans also adds to the desert vibe, with this line possibly suggesting that the two lovers are not alone.
However, the song shifts to a more romantic tone with the second half of the first stanza. It becomes clear that the singer is longing for a love he has lost, and he sees her in his mind's eye under the eastern star. The imagery becomes more vivid in the following stanza with the sounds of old temple bells calling across the sand. The mention of Kismet, meaning fate or destiny, suggests that the singer believes the love he has lost will come back to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Desert shadows creep across purple sands.
The sun is setting in the desert and casting shadows on the purple sand.
Natives kneel in prayer by their caravans.
The native people are praying near their caravans as the sun sets.
There, silhouetted under an eastern star, I see my long lost blossom of shalimar.
In the distance, I see my lost love illuminated by an eastern star.
You, Misirlou, Are the moon and the sun, fairest one.
My love, Misirlou, is the light of my life, my everything.
Old temple bells are calling across the sand.
Bells from an old temple are ringing across the desert.
We'll find our Kismet, answering love's command.
We will find our destiny, guided by the power of love.
You, Misirlou, are a dream of delight in the night.
Misirlou, you are the perfect dream, a vision of delight in the dark of night.
To an oasis, sprinkled by stars above, Heaven will guide us, Allah will bless our love.
Our love will be blessed by Allah as we are guided to an oasis beneath the stars.
Lyrics Ā© Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MILTON LEEDS, N ROUBANIS, BOB RUSSELL, FRED WISE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@somecallitlife
RIP Dale. Thank you for all your contributions to the history of guitar!
@danfan56
Agreed! E
@JakeTheBear1
Rest in Peace Dick Dale.
I will forever love your Misirlou.
@pringelsthegamefreak
RIP
@jessicabear
Rock on
@g-man1440
ROCK
&
ROLL
@ChristianVBlue3
RIP Dick Dale. Pioneer of surf rock and one of the first Fender Strat guitarists. What a legend
@kingplank
NO- Buddy Holly was first Stratocaster superstar
@johnthurman1225
@@kingplank he said "one of"
@MuszZico
@@johnthurman1225 u kill him buddy.