Raffi, he ain't. But none of his fans really seem to mind. Larry Weaver is a multi-talented musician and comedian in the tradition of Ray Stevens who's been writing and performing his own, uh... "special" brand of humorous songs for more than 10 years. He also happens to be the world's foremost exterminator of trailer park ghosts-but we'll get to that.
Fresh off a tour opening for the man himself, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Larry unleashed his third CD, Looking for Fun. This latest collection of funny songs and commercial parodies skewers online romance, praises the strange beauty of a "State Fair Woman" and reveals Larry's violation at the hands of Ronald McDonald in "The Unhappy Meal."
The album also contains "Ghost in the Trailer," a hilarious tale about a family terrorized by a redneck ghost, that grew out of Larry's side career as a mobile home ghost investigator. His Web site, www.TrailerGhost.com, is the only Internet site dedicated to paranormal activities in trailers, and Larry is a frequent guest on radio morning shows explaining his very important work.
Larry's Southern charm and humor come honest. He grew up in the tiny mill village of Saxapahaw, NC (look closely, it's on the map), and started writing funny songs and telling jokes at a young age. Larry's solo career took off when legendary radio host Dr. Demento started playing his debut EP, "Pack Full of Comedy" in 1998. Larry followed up with "Everybody's Crazy But Me!!!" in 2000, an album that showcased his diverse musical tastes. Thanks to exposure on morning radio shows, a strong Internet presence and his busy tour schedule, Larry's fan club has grown to include nearly 2,000 members from more than 10 countries.
His live act is loaded with great music, audience interaction, outrageous characters and, of course, wigs. What would you expect from a guy who once worked as a professional wrestling manager and now spends half his time rooting out spirits in trailer parks?
Larry is definitely a unique comedian, and the Charlotte Observer called him "a song parodist of high order...a double threat with a joke in one hand and a guitar pick in the other."
Pick up a copy of "Looking for Fun." You'll be glad you did.
South of the border
Larry Weaver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where else can one have so much culture within ones reach?
I love to see those girls with big hair cruising down the strand
And see those rednecks get redder instead of getting tan.
But Myrtle Beach is not my favorite part of the trip
I first must make a little stop before I get to it
So lets hop into my Nova and head for that state line
Take me to South of the Border I think you know the way
Just follow those clever billboards along the interstate
Take me to South of the Border I love those neon signs
Chili Today, Hot Tamale man, that one gets me every time.
Well check into Pedros Motel and leave our troubles at the door
Then its off to Pedros Fireworks -- well stock up for July 4
Then over to Pedros Martial Arts to get some gifts for the kids
I think they'll like some throwing stars, num chucks and a big bullwhip.
Then its down to Pedros T-shirts where Ill have the time of my life.
Lets get grandma that funny hat that reads Old Farts Wife
And lets get dad some underwear that will scream Hey, I'm high class
The ones with the inscription Worlds Largest Source of Natural Gas.
Take me to South of the Border down where Pedro lives
I need to buy some Chia pets they make such great gifts
Take me to South of the Border just below that state line
When I see that big sombrero, Ill know everything is fine.
OK. I want everyone listening out there to sing the chorus with me.
Are you ready? Here we go In spanish;
Vamos a frontera del sur donde Pedro vive
Necissito compro Los Chiapets son buenos regalos
Vamos a frontera del sur debajo e
These lyrics to Larry Weaver's song "South of the Border" describe the singer's annual journey to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. However, the singer's favorite part of the trip isn't Myrtle Beach itself, but a stop he makes along the way at "South of the Border." "South of the Border" is a South Carolina tourist attraction that bills itself as "the final destination before crossing the border into North Carolina." The attraction features a Mexican-themed amusement park, truck stop, and shopping center, complete with neon signs and billboards along the interstate inviting drivers to stop.
The singer describes the different stops he makes at South of the Border, including checking into Pedro's Motel and visiting Pedro's Fireworks to stock up for Independence Day. He also visits Pedro's Martial Arts to buy gifts for his kids, including throwing stars and nunchucks, and Pedro's T-Shirts, where he buys comical souvenirs for his family members.
The song's chorus is a bilingual invitation to "Vamos a frontera del sur donde Pedro vive" ("Let's go to South of the Border where Pedro lives"). The song celebrates the kitschy, neon-lit charm of South of the Border while poking fun at the attraction's over-the-top marketing tactics and its mix of Mexican and American cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Every year I pack the car and head for Myrtle Beach
I make an annual trip to Myrtle Beach
Where else can one have so much culture within ones reach?
It's an enjoyable place with many cultural experiences
I love to see those girls with big hair cruising down the strand
I enjoy seeing the unique style of people at the beach
And see those rednecks get redder instead of getting tan.
I find humor in people who don't use sunscreen at the beach
But Myrtle Beach is not my favorite part of the trip
Although I go to Myrtle Beach, it's not my favorite part of the trip
I first must make a little stop before I get to it
I have a detour before arriving in Myrtle Beach
So lets hop into my Nova and head for that state line
I travel to a different state
And when I see that big sombrero Ill know everything is fine.
A recognizable landmark lets me know I'm on the right track
Take me to South of the Border I think you know the way
I'm familiar with the route to South of the Border
Just follow those clever billboards along the interstate
I navigate using the signs advertising South of the Border
Take me to South of the Border I love those neon signs
I enjoy the colorful and eye-catching signs advertising South of the Border
Chili Today, Hot Tamale man, that one gets me every time.
One of the signs has a clever pun that I find amusing
Well check into Pedros Motel and leave our troubles at the door
I stay at Pedros Motel to relax and forget about my problems
Then its off to Pedros Fireworks -- well stock up for July 4
I buy fireworks for Independence Day at Pedros Fireworks
Then over to Pedros Martial Arts to get some gifts for the kids
I buy martial arts-themed gifts for kids at Pedros Martial Arts
I think they'll like some throwing stars, num chucks and a big bullwhip.
I think the kids will enjoy the unconventional gifts
Then its down to Pedros T-shirts where Ill have the time of my life.
I enjoy browsing the selection of humorous t-shirts at Pedros T-shirts
Lets get grandma that funny hat that reads Old Farts Wife
I buy a comical hat as a gift for my grandmother
And lets get dad some underwear that will scream Hey, I'm high class
I buy a humorous gift for my dad
The ones with the inscription Worlds Largest Source of Natural Gas.
The underwear has a joke printed on it about natural gas
Take me to South of the Border down where Pedro lives
I return to South of the Border to continue my shopping
I need to buy some Chia pets they make such great gifts
I buy Chia pets as gifts
Take me to South of the Border just below that state line
I return to South of the Border near the state line
When I see that big sombrero, Ill know everything is fine.
I recognize the landmark and feel confident about my location
Vamos a frontera del sur donde Pedro vive
Let's go to South of the Border where Pedro lives
Necessito compro Los Chiapets son buenos regalos
I need to buy Chia pets because they make good gifts
Vamos a frontera del sur debajo el caliente sol
Let's go to South of the Border under the hot sun
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CRAIG HONEYCUTT, MARK REINHARDT, RICHARD K BRADLEY, STEVE VAN DAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind