The Little Old Lady
Jan Dean Lyrics


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It's the little old lady from Pasadena

The little old lady from Pasadena
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Has a pretty little flowerbed of white gardenias
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
But parked in a rickety old garage
There's a brand new shiny super-stocked Dodge

And everybody's sayin' that there's nobody meaner than
The little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She's the terror of Colorado boulevard
It's the little old lady from Pasadena

If you see her on the strip, don't try to choose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
You might drive a go-er, but you'll never lose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Well, she's gonna get a ticket now, sooner or later
'Cause she can't keep her foot off the accelerator

And everybody's sayin' that there's nobody meaner than
The Little Old Lady From Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She's the terror of Colorado Boulevard
It's the little old lady from Pasadena

You can catch her all the time, just gettin' her kicks now
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
With her four speed stick and a four-two-six now
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
The guys come to race her from miles around
But she'll give 'em a length, then she'll shut 'em down

And everybody's sayin' that there's nobody meaner than
The little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She's the terror of Colorado boulevard
It's the little old lady from Pasadena

Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)




Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)

Overall Meaning

"The Little Old Lady from Pasadena" is a popular song by Jan and Dean, released in 1964. The song is an ode to an elderly lady who is known for driving around the city of Pasadena in her brand new Dodge, much to the shock and amazement of the local residents. The lyrics suggest that she is something of a local legend, respected and feared for her driving abilities and her willingness to race her car against younger, more experienced drivers. The song is a tribute to the speed, power, and excitement of hot-rodding culture, as seen through the lens of an unlikely hero.


The song begins by describing the titular character as a sweet, innocent old lady with a beautiful flower bed, but quickly reveals her true identity as a speed demon with a brand new car. Everyone in the community is afraid of her, knowing that she drives fast and hard on the city streets, particularly on Colorado Boulevard. Even though she may eventually get a ticket for her reckless driving, she can't resist the thrill of the open road, and everyone is impressed by her skills.


The song goes on to describe how the little old lady enjoys racing other drivers who try to challenge her on the road, using her 426-cubic inch V-8 engine to leave them in the dust. Her car is described as having a four-speed stick, a rare and impressive feature at the time. The chorus repeats the refrain "Go granny, go granny, go granny, go," encouraging the old lady to push her car to its limits and continue to amaze and shock those around her.


Line by Line Meaning

It's the little old lady from Pasadena
Introducing the notorious character of the song


The little old lady from Pasadena (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) Has a pretty little flowerbed of white gardenias (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) But parked in a rickety old garage There's a brand new shiny super-stocked Dodge
Describing the seemingly innocent appearance of the singer, along with their hidden secret of owning a flashy sports car


And everybody's sayin' that there's nobody meaner than The little old lady from Pasadena She drives real fast and she drives real hard She's the terror of Colorado boulevard It's the little old lady from Pasadena
Highlighting the fearsome reputation the singer has earned for driving recklessly and dangerously


If you see her on the strip, don't try to choose her (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) You might drive a go-er, but you'll never lose her (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) Well, she's gonna get a ticket now, sooner or later 'Cause she can't keep her foot off the accelerator
Warning others to stay away from the artist and acknowledging that they will eventually face consequences for their reckless behavior


You can catch her all the time, just gettin' her kicks now (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) With her four speed stick and a four-two-six now (Go granny, go granny, go granny, go) The guys come to race her from miles around But she'll give 'em a length, then she'll shut 'em down
Describing the ways in which the artist enjoys their dangerous behavior and how they often challenge others to race - only to emerge victorious


Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go) Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Repeating the chorus, which encourages the singer to keep driving recklessly and living life on the edge




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GARY L USHER, ROGER CHRISTIAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@DEATH111183

Every time I hear this song I can't help but be reminded of my great aunt(my mother's aunt).

In the late 80s I love hanging out with her as a little fella, she made learning anything fun, reading, writing, dancing, typing.
But specifically, she had a massive crush on Burt Reynolds...... So much so she had a supped up Pontiac firebird with all the tricks put in it...... Improved engine, super charger, performance carburetor loud as hell exhaust (he late husband was a gear head so she knew her way around a few sockets and wrenches).
And well, I'm reminded of a time we're sitting at a red light waiting. Some highschool/college kids pulled up next to us, reving their rice burner engine, and aunty lets her 8cylinders purr with a mild touch of the throttle...... The light turned green and the kids take off like they had a purpose from our right......
Then the highway patrol takes off from our left in hot pursuit of the joyriding kids.

My great aunt leans towards me saying "don't need to be a speed demon to win the race.... Just got to be the wisest wiseass in the neighborhood".

She was a sharp mean old broad, but the sweetest old lady you could ever meet, if you met her right.



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All comments from YouTube:

@howardjaeckel9500

Little old man from New York City here! Because he no longer walks so good due to advancing age, he just got himself a shiny red mobility scooter so he can still get out on the town! He's been blasting this song while learning g how to maneuver it. What an inspiration!

@somebody670

You GO Howard!!!

@terrymcguckin1656

I’m 71 young. Still rocking 1:57 2:06

@TalesoftheBoojum

Little Red Moped?😉

@adotintheshark4848

FWIW your mobile scooter probably handles better than Granny's super-stock Dodge!

@Itsgotahemi

Gobless, keep up the positive energy sir

1 More Replies...

@coldlakealta4043

2023: great memories from so long ago - loved it then and love it now. Go Granny, go!

@a1coyote

This song always makes me smile. Reminds me of my Grandma in the mid-1960's. She got her driver's license at 55, during the same year I was born. Her first car was a 1963 Chevy Nova SS she bought off of her daughter's (my Aunt) Air Force friend from McGuire AFB, who was getting stationed overseas. Neighborhood kids would sing this song when Grandma would pull up in front of our house.

@purpletrainwreck6717

i am 14 years old and my grandma and grandpa play this song all the time

go granny go granny go granny go

@squidcam668

Lol same for me I’m 14 and my grandparents play this song

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