He was born in Gretna, Louisiana, as Vincent Francis Guzzo, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, and was the adopted son of Vincent and Anna Guzzo, who named him Vincent Francis Guzzo, Jr. He learned to sing and dance at an early age, and when at high school joined a group, the Syncopators, as singer and pianist. He was spotted by manager Joe Caronna, who took him to Johnny Vincent of Ace Records. Taking the stage name Frankie Ford, he made his first recordings for Ace in 1958. He toured locally in Louisiana, before recording a vocal overdub on the song "Sea Cruise", a song written and originally recorded by Huey "Piano" Smith with his group, the Clowns, and featuring overdubbed bells and ships' horns.. As Smith already had a record in the charts, and was away touring, the record label decided to release Ford's version, and it rose to #14 on the US pop chart and #11 on the R&B chart, selling over one million copies, and gaining gold disc status.
Ford toured widely around the US, but his later records were less successful, with his versions of "Alimony" and "Time After Time" only reaching the lower reaches of the national charts. He also recorded a novelty record in praise of a local TV presenter, "Morgus the Magnificent", with musicians including Mac Rebennack and Jerry Byrne, but it failed to sell. Ace released an LP by Ford, Let's Take A Sea Cruise With Frankie Ford, before the singer moved to Imperial Records in late 1960. He recorded with producer Dave Bartholomew, and released a version of "You Talk Too Much", but Ford's recording missed out in competition with one by Joe Jones which was issued almost simultaneously. In 1961, his version of Boyd Bennett's 1955 hit "Seventeen" was Ford's last chart entry.
Ford was drafted in 1962, and performed for troops in Japan, Vietnam and Korea. He later recorded occasionally for small labels, but mainly performed in clubs in and around New Orleans. He appeared in the 1978 movie American Hot Wax, and toured in Britain and Europe, recording the album New Orleans Dynamo in London in 1984. He continued to record and perform through the 1990s. Ford co-owned the Briarmeade record label, which issued several singles and albums by him from the 1970s to the 2000s. On May 16, 2010, at the Louisiana Music Homecoming in Erwinville, Ford was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
Ford died in Gretna at the age of 76 on September 28, 2015, following a long illness.
Sea Cruises
Frankie Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old man rhythm is in my shoes
No use t'sittin' and a'singin' the blues
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Feel like jumpin' baby won't ya join me please
I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee
I got to get t'rockin get my hat off the rack
I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
I got to get t'movin' baby I ain't lyin'
My heart is beatin' rhythm and it's right on time
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Feel like jumpin' baby won't ya join me please
I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
The lyrics of "Sea Cruises" by Frankie Ford tells a story of a man who wants to take someone special on a journey. The musical composition accompanied by sound effects of foghorns and bells contributes to the maritime atmosphere of the song. The song begins with the introduction of the rhythm, where the singer suggests that it is worth taking the risk and accepting his invitation. The singer invites the person to join him on a sea adventure, promising a good time that is not worth missing. He uses words such as "let me take you" and "be my guest" to emphasize that it will be an enjoyable and memorable experience.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to persuade the person to come with him, and he shows his willingness to do whatever it takes to convince the other person. He asks the person to "join him" and "be his guest," assuring that there is "nothing to lose." The song also has an instrumental interlude that elevates the mood of the audience, making them feel like they are on this journey too.
Overall, the song "Sea Cruises" tells that sometimes it's worth taking a chance in life, trying something new, and escaping from our daily routine, and it's a love story behind it.
Line by Line Meaning
Old man rhythm is in my shoes
I am in the mood to dance and have fun
No use t'sittin' and a'singin' the blues
It doesn't do any good to be sad and complain
So be my guest, you got nothin' to lose
Come along with me, there's no risk involved
Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
Will you join me on an adventure out on the water?
Feel like jumpin' baby won't ya join me please
If you're in the mood for dancing, come with me
I don't like beggin' but I'm on bended knee
I don't usually ask for help, but I'm really hoping you'll say yes
I got to get t'rockin get my hat off the rack
I need to start moving and dancing, and I'm excited to do so
I got to boogie woogie like a knife in the back
I am ready to dance with energy and enthusiasm
I got to get t'movin' baby I ain't lyin'
I'm serious about wanting to dance and have a good time
My heart is beatin' rhythm and it's right on time
My heart is ready to match the beat of some great music
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUEY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldherrera3479
Old Man Rhythm is-a in my shoes
It's no use sittin' here singin' the blues
So Gbe my guest, you've got nothin' to lose
Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise?
Chorus:
Whoo-ee, whoo-ee baby
Whoo-ee, whoo-ee baby
Whoo-ee, whoo-ee baby
Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise?
Bridge:
I Ffeel like jumpin'; baby, won't you join me,
Cplease?
I Fdon't like beggin', but now I'm on my bended
Gknees
Verse 2:
I gotta keep movin', honey, I ain't lyin'
My heart is beatin' rhythm and it's right on time
So be my guest, you've got nothin' to lose
Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise?
[Chorus:]
[Bridge:]
Verse 3:
I gotta keep a-rockin', get my hat off the rack
I gotta boogie-woogie like a knife's in my back
So be my guest, you've got nothin' to lose
Won't you let me take you on a sea cruise?
(chorus, then repeat its last line and fade)
@kennethargenta4365
So lucky to be born in the 50s, best generation for music.
@nadyarossi5102
LOVE this toe-tapper, Frankie's voice and those saxophones!
@claircraig8552
Got to see him in person about 14 years ago at Barrow Civic Theater in Franklin PA and he was kinda crazy cool yet, did sea cruise of course & man he had the whole theater rockin', had him autograph my sea cruise 45, it was great time!
@kenbecht4434
Blessed to have grown up in the 1950s in San Diegp where my dad worked, my mom stayed at home & took care of me and my three brothers. I thank Jesus everyday for what He gave me & my family. Mom was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts & was in the PTA. Played Little League, Pony League etc. Lived in a canyon which was a great big back yard behind our fence. Played in the street with neighbor kids. And music was still clean, fun and or romantic. No foul disgusting language music until later. Didnt worry about stranger danger.
Blessed times!!!
@TheReneex
I'm ready to go on a week-long sea cruise! after listening to this classic!
@dansmith6748
When you listen to this treasure, it gets stuck in your head for 6 months!
@patrickstar8504
It must have been such a good time to grow up with music like this in the 50s. One of the greatest Rock and Roll songs ever! ❤
@kristinehatkinson7323
You got that right!!
@spc2583
Indeed it was and can still get your body moving, no mattter how old it might be! Personally. I doubt the music back then will never die.
@RamonaGem
Hehehe, rock n roll