After earning a veterinary medicine degree at Auburn University, Dr. Elmo was a veterinarian at Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga racetracks in New York. He later moved to San Francisco's Bay Area to open his own animal hospital and while moonlighting playing festivals and clubs in a bluegrass band.
In 1979, he introduced 'Grandma' on a San Francisco radio station. It quickly became a regional hit. Dr. Elmo began playing more holiday gigs around town to support the single. When an activist group, The Gray Panthers, accused him of playing 'ageist music' and showed up to picket one of his shows, the media came out in force, drawing the attention of major labels.
In 1983, MTV began airing the self financed video. A year later Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer album appeared on Epic and a new 'Grandma' single was released, this time with 'Percy, the Puny Poinsettia' as the B-side.
Dr. Elmo released Twisted Tunes in 1991. Numerous holiday albums would follow, with Dr. Elmo releasing his own Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer album in 2002 on SonyBMG. Dr. Elmo added a Halloween hit to his repertoire in 2006 with the title track to his Redneck Dracula album. In 2007 he released Redneck Santa, in 2009 he released Wild Bluegrass with his band Dr. Elmo & Wild Blue. In 2010 Time Life releases Dr. Elmo's Bluegrass Christmas . Most of Dr. Elmo's songs are co-written by Rita Abrams. Pop historians might remember Rita as the Miss Abrams in Miss Abrams and the Strawberry Point 4th Grade Class, the act behind the 1972 hit 'Mill Valley.'
Dr. Elmo currently tours with his bluegrass band, Wild Blue and each holiday season he conducts a media and concert tour in conjunction with the "Grandma" song.
Don't Make Me Play That Grandma Song Again
Dr. Elmo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m Elwood, the midnight DJ
On radio station K-HICK
Now I try to run a quality show
And all my fans'll tell you so
Except at Christmas, much to my dismay
Oh no, don′t make me play that "Grandma" song again
Just as bright as Rudolph's nose
I'll do anything you say, I′ll play them barking dogs all day
But please don′t make me play that "Grandma" song again
Now every Christmas, I get frosted
When poor Grandma gets accosted
And all them weirdos enjoy her suffering
And that Elmo guy just keeps on smiling
While them royalties keep on piling
And the worst part is, he can't even sing
Oh no, don′t make me play that "Grandma" song again
Though that request line glows and glows
Just as bright as Rudolph's nose
I′ll do anything you say, I'll play them barking dogs all day
But please don′t make me play that "Grandma" song again
Now a word from our sponsor
Friends, it's that time of year again that
Just makes you want to get out there and charge
And while you're doing it, why not have playing in the background
Our collector′s gift set of 24 of the
Most beloved Christmas carols of all time?
Classics like "You Bumped Your Noggin on My Toboggan"
Or "Hey, Hey, Grandpa′s Got a Brand New Nag"
To order now, dial 1-900-FRUITCAKE
And now back to you, Elwood
Thanks, Elmer
So anyhoo, I told the station manager
He'd have to choose between me and her
′Cause that "Grandma" song is a moral ab-domination
So he says, "Son, our ratings are flyin'
And furthermore, our sponsors are buyin′
And I'm transferrin′ you to the FM classical station"
Oh no, don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
Though that request line glows and glows
Just as bright as Rudolph's nose
I′ll do anything you say, I′ll play them barking dogs all day
But please don't make me play that "Grandma" song
(Don′t make him play that "Grandma" song)
Don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
The lyrics of Dr. Elmo's song "Don't Make Me Play That Grandma Song Again" depict the frustrations of Elwood, a midnight DJ on radio station K-HICK, who is known for running a quality show. However, during Christmas time, Elwood is bombarded with requests to play the infamous "Grandma" song. While his fans appreciate his usual programming, they insist on hearing this particular song, much to his dismay.
Elwood expresses his reluctance to play the "Grandma" song again, despite the glowing request line and the persistence of listeners. He humorously tells his audience that he would rather play barking dogs all day than subject himself to the repetitive and tiresome tune. Elwood is frustrated by the enjoyment some people find in Grandma's suffering, and he believes that the artist, Elmo, can't even sing well.
The song highlights Elwood's resistance to conforming to popular demands and his struggle with the morality of playing a song that seems to mock Grandma. Ultimately, Elwood's protest is unsuccessful, as the station manager informs him that the ratings and sponsors demand they continue playing the song. As a result, Elwood is transferred to the FM classical station, where he likely won't have to deal with the "Grandma" song anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
Allow me to introduce myself
I am Dr. Elmo, the midnight DJ on radio station K-HICK.
Now I try to run a quality show
I strive to host a high-quality radio show.
And all my fans'll tell you so
My fans will attest to the quality of my show.
Except at Christmas, much to my dismay
Except during Christmas, which disappoints me.
Oh no, don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
I dislike playing the song titled "Grandma" repeatedly.
Though that request line glows and glows
Despite the continuous glowing of the request line.
Just as bright as Rudolph's nose
As bright as the nose of Rudolph the reindeer.
I'll do anything you say, I'll play them barking dogs all day
I am willing to fulfill any other song requests, even playing tracks of barking dogs for an entire day.
But please don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
However, please avoid requesting for the "Grandma" song again.
Now every Christmas, I get frosted
During every Christmas, I become annoyed.
When poor Grandma gets accosted
When Grandma is subjected to unwelcome attention.
And all them weirdos enjoy her suffering
And all those strange individuals take pleasure in her distress.
And that Elmo guy just keeps on smiling
Meanwhile, that Elmo fellow continues to smile.
While them royalties keep on piling
While he keeps accumulating royalties.
And the worst part is, he can't even sing
Ironically, he is not even a skilled singer.
Now a word from our sponsor
Now a message from our sponsor.
Friends, it's that time of year again that
Friends, it is that time of year once more when
Just makes you want to get out there and charge
That simply motivates you to go out and celebrate.
And while you're doing it, why not have playing in the background
And while you do so, why not have playing in the background
Our collector's gift set of 24 of the
Our collector's edition gift set comprising 24
Most beloved Christmas carols of all time?
The most cherished Christmas carols throughout history?
Classics like "You Bumped Your Noggin on My Toboggan"
Classics such as "You Bumped Your Noggin on My Toboggan"
Or "Hey, Hey, Grandpa's Got a Brand New Nag"
Or "Hey, Hey, Grandpa's Got a Brand New Nag"
To order now, dial 1-900-FRUITCAKE
To place your order immediately, dial 1-900-FRUITCAKE
And now back to you, Elwood
And now back to you, Elwood.
Thanks, Elmer
Thank you, Elmer.
So anyhoo, I told the station manager
Anyway, I informed the station manager.
He'd have to choose between me and her
He would need to decide between keeping me or her.
'Cause that "Grandma" song is a moral ab-domination
Because the "Grandma" song is morally offensive.
So he says, "Son, our ratings are flyin'
Therefore, he responds, 'Son, our ratings are soaring'
And furthermore, our sponsors are buyin'
In addition, our sponsors are investing.
And I'm transferrin' you to the FM classical station
Thus, I am transferring you to the FM classical station.
But please don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
However, please avoid requesting for the "Grandma" song again.
(Don't make him play that "Grandma" song)
(Do not make him play that "Grandma" song)
Don't make me play that "Grandma" song again
Do not make me play that "Grandma" song again.
Writer(s): Rita Abrams, Elmo Earl Shropshire
Contributed by Adam F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.