The Five O Clock Whistle
Joe Loss Lyrics
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The whistle won't blow and whadd'ya think?
My pop is still in the factory 'cause he don't know
What time it happens to be
The five o'clock whistle didn't blow
The whistle is broke and whadda'ya know?
If somebody don't find out what's wrong
Oh, who's gonna fix the whistle?
Won't somebody fix the whistle?
Oh, who's gonna fix the whistle?
So my poor old pop will know it's time for him to stop
Ya ought to hear what my mommy said
When papa came home and sneaked into bed
And told her he worked till half past two
Cause the five o'clock whistle never blew
"The Five O'Clock Whistle" by Joe Loss is a song about a broken whistle which announces when the workday is over for the factory workers. The lyrics describe a situation in which the whistle is on the blink and won't blow, and the worker's father doesn't know it's time to leave work. The singer worries that if the whistle doesn't get fixed, his father will be working all night long. The song also references the frustration felt by the workers and their families who rely on the whistle's signal to end the shift and come back home.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the daily routine of factory workers, and the issue of a broken whistle seems trivial but has significant implications for those workers' lives. The central theme of the song is the importance of communication and reliable systems in the workplace. The lyrics demonstrate the impact a flawed system can have on the lives of individuals and their families.
Overall, "The Five O'Clock Whistle" is an insightful commentary on the value of regularity and routine in people's lives. The song deftly comments on the necessity of a reliable system in work and life in general.
Line by Line Meaning
The five o'clock whistle's on the blink
There is an issue with the whistle that signals the end of the workday
The whistle won't blow and whadd'ya think?
The whistle is not sounding, which is causing confusion and concern
My pop is still in the factory 'cause he don't know
What time it happens to be
As a result of the broken whistle, the singer's father is unaware of what time it is and is still at work
The five o'clock whistle didn't blow
The whistle is broke and whadda'ya know?
The whistle did not work due to a mechanical failure
If somebody don't find out what's wrong
Oh, my pop'll be workin' all night long
Without someone fixing the whistle, the artist's father will be forced to work indefinitely
Oh, who's gonna fix the whistle?
Won't somebody fix the whistle?
Oh, who's gonna fix the whistle?
So my poor old pop will know it's time for him to stop
The singer expresses concern over who will take care of the issue so that his father will be aware of the end of the workday and can come home
Ya ought to hear what my mommy said
When papa came home and sneaked into bed
And told her he worked till half past two
Cause the five o'clock whistle never blew
The singer recounts the conversation between his parents regarding the broken whistle and how his father had to work beyond the normal quitting time
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GENE IRWIN, JOSEF MYROW, KIM GANNON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vigilante11485
It was also heard in "White Heat." During the one scene where Cagney's henchmen are preparing to leave the hideout house, it can be faintly heard playing on the radio in the background.
@EroSennin6669
"HEY GRANDMA! THOSE ARE AWFUL BIG EYES... TO HAVE!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Big eyes. Big eyes." One of my favorites! :)
@Alvinloser1
thanks for this upload. I was watching a bugs bunny cartoon with the song in it and liked it enough to look for the original. it's one of those songs I'd like to learn to play
@molliemillerequine
This song featured briefly on the car radio in the James Dean movie "Rebel without a cause"
@isaiahangelo
Carl Stalling used this song a number of times in cartoon scores...glad I found a legit version :-).
@EroSennin6669
Well said!
@Joans20thCentury
Yes, i have often thought that my self, many thanks for your comment .
@EroSennin6669
"HEY GRANDMA! Those are awfully big eyes, TO HAVE!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Big eyes big eyes." :)
@therealjoebloggs
Is it just me or does this song sound like 'The Syncopated Clock' a little more than somewhat? Did Leroy Anderson write this one too?
@TomDaly943
"Hey, Granma, I got a little bunny rabbit for ya ta have, see?"