Sander L Nelson was born on 1 December 1938 in Santa Monica, California. He attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence (who together became Jan and Dean), and Kim Fowley. After gaining respect as a session drummer, he played on such well-known songs as "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, 1958), "Alley-Oop" (The Hollywood Argyles, 1960), "A Thousand Stars" (Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1960) and more.
Nelson continued to record into the early 1970s.
My Girl Josephine
Sandy Nelson Lyrics
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Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler "Woo woo woo"
I used to walk you home
I used to hold your hand
You used to use my umbrella ev'ry time it rained
You used to cry so much it was a crying shame
Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"
You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.
Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"
The lyrics to Sandy Nelson's song "My Girl Josephine" are about a man who reminisces on his past relationship with a woman named Josephine. He greets her with a friendly "Hello Josephine. How do you do?" and asks if she remembers him the way he remembers her. The playful "Woo woo woo" that she used to holler at him plays into the cheeky tone of the song. He recalls how he used to walk her home and hold her hand, and how she would use his umbrella when it rained. However, he also remembers how much she used to cry, which was "a crying shame."
The second verse gives us more insight into their relationship. Josephine used to live "over yonder by the railroad track" and when it rained, she couldn't walk, so the man would carry her on his back. However, he reflects that now they both have to pretend that it was a thrilling experience. This implies that their relationship has since fizzled out and they are no longer as close as they used to be. The chorus repeats, asking if Josephine remembers him and if she still has the same playful spirit.
Overall, "My Girl Josephine" is a nostalgic and playful song about looking back on a past relationship and wondering if the other person remembers it the same way. It's clear that the man still has fond memories of Josephine, but isn't sure where their relationship stands now.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Greeting Josephine and asking how she is doing
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
Asking if she remembers him like he remembers her
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo'
Recalling how she used to laugh and make that sound at him
I used to walk you home
Remembering how he used to escort her home
I used to hold your hand
Recalling how he used to hold her hand
You used to use my umbrella ev'ry time it rained
Remembering how she used his umbrella when it was raining
You used to cry so much it was a crying shame
Recalling how she used to cry frequently, which he found sad
You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
Recalling where she used to reside
When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Recalling how he used to carry her on his back when it was raining and she couldn't walk
Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.
Sarcasm, suggesting that she must now pretend it was a great experience
Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Repeating the greeting
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
Repeating the question
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo'
Repeating how she used to laugh and make that sound
Lyrics © AAT MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind