Sedaka wrote his 1959 hit "Oh! Carol" about his then-girlfriend, Carol Klein, later to become Carole King. In 1963, King released a humorous answer entitled "Oh Neil".
The Laughter In the Rain Songfacts says Sedaka's hits dried up when The Beatles arrived, but then he teamed up with the lyricist Philip Cody and had a a number 1 hit with "Laughter In The Rain." It re-ignited Sedaka's career and he had 6 more Top-40 hits in America by 1977.
Sedaka's voice is in the tenor range.
The Queen Of 1964
Neil Sedaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will remember Stage-Door-Jenny
Well, I saw her last night and man,
She looks like she wasn't gettin' any
(Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h)
Rock and roll kinda took it's toll
When she shed her inhibitians
Too many scenes in limousienes
And dressing room intermissions
She was the queen of 1964
But the truth of the matter is
Nobody wants her anymore
There was a time she could've shown you how
But nobody wants an overage groupie now
When it came to a superstar
Jenny was a braggart
Spread it all around to everyone in town
That she once had Mick Jagger
(Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h)
There's no doubt when the truth comes out
True love will over conquer
She didn't get Mick but she got a kick
And a black eye from Bianca
She was the queen of 1964
What a pity she became a shadow of
The girl she was before
She passed her prime it seems a shame, somehow
But nobody wants an overage groupie now
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
I'm afraid that the Morning Trade
Had a sad obiturary
There'll be no more Jenny at the door
They took her to the cemetery
(Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h)
Just an autograph book and a stereo
There was no one she was close ta
She was found with her arms around
An Elvis Presley poster
She was the queen of 1964
Tonight there'll be a moment of silence
At the Trubadour
There was a time she could've shown you how
But nobody wants an overage groupie now
But nobody wants an overage groupie now
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
Ba-ba-oom-a-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-a-moow-moow-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-a-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-moow-moow
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
De-da-da-da-da-de-da-da
De-da-da-da-da
Ba-ba-oom-a-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-moow-moow
Ba-ba-oom-a-moow-moow-moow-moow
In Neil Sedaka's "The Queen of 1964," the singer reminisces about a former groupie named "Stage-Door Jenny" who was once the "queen" of the rock and roll scene in 1964. However, despite her former glory and past liaisons with Mick Jagger, the singer notes that Jenny's age and hard partying lifestyle has caught up with her, leaving her with no one who wants her anymore. She is ultimately found dead in her apartment, surrounded by an Elvis Presley poster and a stereo.
The song's lyrics paint a bleak picture of the aftermath of the rock and roll lifestyle, with a particular focus on the plight of women who were groupies or hangers-on in the music scene. Although Jenny was once a sought-after companion, her age and experiences have left her with few options and little value in the eyes of others. The chorus of the song laments the fact that despite her former stardom, nobody wants an "overage groupie" anymore.
Overall, Sedaka's lyrics serve as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of fame and the potential consequences of living a reckless lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Anyone who's played on a record date Will remember Stage-Door-Jenny Well, I saw her last night and man, She looks like she wasn't gettin' any (Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h)
If you've ever worked on a music recording, you'll remember Stage-Door-Jenny. I saw her yesterday and it looked like she was not having any fun.
Rock and roll kinda took it's toll When she shed her inhibitians Too many scenes in limousienes And dressing room intermissions
Jenny's inhibitions were shattered by rock and roll music, leading to her engaging in many wild activities in limousines and dressing rooms.
She was the queen of 1964 But the truth of the matter is Nobody wants her anymore There was a time she could've shown you how But nobody wants an overage groupie now
Jenny was once the most popular groupie in 1964, but now no one wants her because she has gotten older
When it came to a superstar Jenny was a braggart Spread it all around to everyone in town That she once had Mick Jagger (Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h)
Jenny bragged about her relationship with Mick Jagger to everyone who would listen
There's no doubt when the truth comes out True love will over conquer She didn't get Mick but she got a kick And a black eye from Bianca
While Jenny did not get her true love, Mick Jagger, she did end up with a black eye from Bianca Jagger
I'm afraid that the Morning Trade Had a sad obiturary There'll be no more Jenny at the door They took her to the cemetery (Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h)
Jenny's passing was mourned in the Morning Trade and she was laid to rest in the cemetery
Just an autograph book and a stereo There was no one she was close ta She was found with her arms around An Elvis Presley poster
When Jenny passed, she did not have anyone close to her. She was found with her arms around an Elvis Presley poster.
Tonight there'll be a moment of silence At the Trubadour There was a time she could've shown you how But nobody wants an overage groupie now But nobody wants an overage groupie now
Jenny will be remembered with a moment of silence at the Trubadour, but now no one wants an old groupie around anymore.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1969presley
Neil is beyond the hall of fame they need to invent something better for him , what a class act
@TheGreatPresenter
So many classics. What a genius.
@mark-shane
Legend ,He must be in Rock n Roll hall of fame
@ianmclaughlan
Among the underrated songs in 1975
@sanchoodell6789
This corker from Neil Sedaka 'The Queen of 1964' created a very similar vibe and feel to Paul Simon's hit from three years earlier in 1972 'Me and Julio' showcasing a free spirited approach and summery Hispanic feel. Wonderful tune. (Both of them)
@marka2520
Always wondered why Paul Simon didn't sue him but I've come to realise that Neil's song is a completely different song in most respects and imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and it is a brilliant song.
@hpn909
There's a slight difference. Sedaka is a great performer/songwriter. Simon is a genius.
@annoldham3018
Yes. With Ray Stevens humour thrown in.
@kevindavies2240
Legend! No more to say
@pauldavis5093
Neil ,Sedaka, absolute superstar