The group began singing as part of the longstanding Columbia University a cappella group "Kingsmen", but the ensemble changed their name due to the popularity of the Pacific Northwest rock band of the same name (see: "The Kingsmen"). Conceived by George Leonard, then a graduate student in Humanities, Sha Na Na began performing in 1969, at the height of the hippie counterculture. The guys achieved national fame after playing at the Woodstock Festival, where they preceded Jimi Hendrix. In fact, the ever friendly and genial Hendrix stuck out his neck for the group, insisting the band be allowed to take the stage even after festivalβs promoters wanted to cut them from the bill at the last minute, and Sha Na Na members have since credited him for 'saving' them from obscurity almost single-handed.
Their ninety-second appearance in the popular Woodstock concert film brought the group national attention, and they were a part of the 50s nostalgia craze of the era. Similar artists both in the Americas and in the U.K. appeared (examples being Alvin Stardust and Gary Glitter). The Broadway musical 'Grease' and the TV show 'Happy Days' both also displayed the same ethos as Sha Na Na.
The degree to which their act was truly nostalgic, as opposed to the degree to which it was "invented nostalgia" for joking purposes has been called into question. Still, the group appeared in the movie 'Grease' (based off of the musical of the same name) as "Johnny Casino & The Gamblers", gaining them even more attention. Sha Na Na was also successful with the hit syndicated television show of the same name that the guys did from 1977 to 1982. The program featured guests with much 70s fame such as soul and funk star James Brown and the popular punk band Ramones; musicians from rock & roll's golden era such as Little Richard and Chubby Checker also appeared.
The original band line-up featured twelve performers: Alan Cooper (bass vocals), Rob Leonard (vocals), Frederick 'Denny' Greene (vocals), Henry Gross (guitar), John 'Jocko' Marcellino (drums), Joe Witkin (piano), Scott Powell aka Captain Outrageous aka Tony Santini (vocals), Donald 'Donny' York (vocals), Elliot Cahn aka 'Gino', (rhythm guitar), Rich Joffe (vocals), Dave Garrett (vocals) and Bruce 'Bruno' Clarke. The act has often involved three "up front" dancers/singers in gold lamΓ© and the other nine in "greaser attire", such as rolled up t-shirt sleeves, leather jackets, tank tops, et cetera. During their long-running career, the ensemble has gone through multiple line-up changes. Most recently, co-founder John 'Jocko' Marcellino has served as the group's central frontman. Their latest release is 2013's 'Sha Na Na Greaser High School Hop', with them still touring even decades upon decades after their foundation.
Also that year, Sha Na Na was notably a part of the "Grease Sing-A-Long" event, which is held annually at the Hollywood Bowl. During the 35th anniversary of the beloved movie, they performed several of their tracks from the work's famous soundtrack. "This has become a family event," Marcellino remarked, "They all come dressed up greased with their Pink Lady outfits on, their T-Birds leather jackets, and itβs fabulous that a fourth generation is learning these songs and loving these songs."
Examples of former members:
Vinnie Taylor (1949 - 1974) (real name Chris Donald), who replaced Henry Gross as the lead guitarist in 1970, died from a heroin overdose on April 17, 1974, after a concert at University Hall at the University of Virginia.[citation needed] He was found in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Charlottesville, Virginia.[citation needed]
Former Sha Na Na bass player, from their television show lineup, Dave "Chico" Ryan, died in 1998.
Former Sha Na Na guitarist, from their television show lineup, Danny "Dirty Dan" McBride, died in 2009.
Founding member of the band Robert Leonard is a professor of linguistics at Hofstra University, and had an appearance as a qualified expert in linguistics for the murder case of Charlene Hummert in the episode "A Tight Leash" of the TV medical detectives series Forensic Files in 2004.[citation needed]
The group's first guitarist, Henry Gross, went on to become a solo performer, and had a hit single with "Shannon" in 1976. Another founding member, Alan Cooper, the lead singer in the group's performance of "At the Hop" in the Woodstock film, also went on to an academic career. He taught religious studies for ten years at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, was a professor of Bible studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, and now serves as the Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies and provost at the Jewish Theological Seminary.[citation needed]
Long time member Jon "Bowzer" Bauman replaced Alan Cooper and became a recognizable member of the group as he taunted audiences while he flexed his muscles, burped and spat in the direction of the bass player. For two years in 1983 and 1984 he served as the host of the game show Hollywood Squares between the retirement of longtime host Peter Marshall and the last host John Davidson. Today, Bowzer continues to tour under his own banner.
Elliot Cahn, the group's original rhythm guitar player and musical arranger, later became the first manager of Green Day. "Screaming" Scott Simon replaced Joe Witkin, the original keyboard player (and singer of Teenager in Love on their first album). Today, Witkin is an emergency room physician living with his family in San Diego, California and playing with a band called "The Corvettes"[3] doing an oldies revue. Witkin's son, Brian Witkin, went on to become the founder of Pacific Records.
Joe Witkin left the band in 1970 to finish medical school, and subsequently moved to San Diego in 1975 to do his internship and residency at the University of California in San Diego. He worked at Scripps Hospital East County from 1978 to 2000 as an ER physician, and currently holds the same position at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa.
Scott Powell today is a specialist in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.[4] He performed on the TV show under the stage name "Santini" (which he changed from his previous alias, "Captain Outrageous"). Powell left the band in 1980 and returned to Columbia to take pre-medical courses.[citation needed] He is a member of the medical staff of U.S. national soccer teams, and is the team physician for the Federation Womenβs National Team and an associate clinical professor at USC.[citation needed] While Powell was with Sha Na Na, he sang the bulk of the Elvis revival songs.
Frederick "Denny" Greene left the group to pursue studies in law.[citation needed] After graduating from Yale Law School, he became the vice president of production and features at Columbia Pictures.[citation needed] He is currently a professor at the University of Dayton. Greene was known for his skilled dancing, and sang the lead in "Tears on My Pillow", "Duke of Earl" and others.
Bruce "Bruno" Clarke is now a professor of English at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Yummy Yummy Yummy
Sha Na Na Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I feel like a-lovin you
Love, you're such a sweet thing
Good enough to eat thing
And it's just a-what I'm gonna do
Ooh love to hold ya
Ooh love to kiss ya
Ooh love you're sweeter
Sweeter than sugar
Ooh love
I wont let you go
Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy
And as silly as it may seem
The lovin' that you re giving
Is what keeps me livin'
And your love is like peaches and cream
Kind-a like sugar
Kind-a like spices
Kind-a like, like what you do
Kind-a sounds funny
But your love honey
And honey, I love you
Ba, da, ba, da, da , da, da
Ba, da, da, da, da, da . . .
Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy
That your love can satisfy
Love, you're such a sweet thing
Good enough to eat thing
And sweet thing, that ain't no lie
I love to hold ya
I love to kiss ya
Ooh love, I love it so
Ooh love, you're sweeter
Sweeter than sugar
Ooh love, I wont let you go
Ba, da, ba, da, da , da, da
Ba, da, da, da, da, da . . .
Sweet thing, yummy yummy
Sweet thing
Sweet thing, yummy yummy
Sweet thing
The song "Yummy Yummy Yummy" by Sha Na Na is a lighthearted, upbeat love song that speaks about the joy of being in love. The lyrics speak of the singer's desire for this person they love, describing how they feel like they have "love in their tummy" and how they want to hold and kiss this person. The love that they receive from their lover is what keeps them alive and it is sweet like peaches and cream, as sweet as sugar, and good enough to eat. The chorus is catchy and emphasizes the love that the singer has for their lover, stating that they won't let them go.
The lyrics of "Yummy Yummy Yummy" tap into the common metaphors of food and love, where the sweetness of the person they love can be compared to delicious treats. It is a playful and innocent love song, that conveys the simple and undemanding nature of what living in love can feel like. The song is carefree and joyful, capturing the essence of the naive optimism of young love, where every little moment, touch, or affection is something to be savored and enjoyed.
Overall, "Yummy Yummy Yummy" by Sha Na Na is a catchy song that celebrates the simple joys of being in love. Its use of food metaphors adds a level of relatability and accessibility to the song, making it memorable for generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Yummy, yummy, yummy, I got love in my tummy
I have a strong desire for love, which is comparable to the satisfaction of hunger.
And I feel like a-lovin you
I am in the mood to express and share my love with you.
Love, you're such a sweet thing
You are a wonderful and charming person whom I cherish dearly.
Good enough to eat thing
Your goodness and attractiveness are so irresistible that I would love to be with you all the time.
And it's just a-what I'm gonna do
I am determined to show you my affection and devotion.
Ooh love to hold ya
I like to embrace you and feel your warmth and comfort.
Ooh love to kiss ya
I am fond of kissing you and feeling the passion and intimacy that we share.
Ooh love I love it so
I truly enjoy and appreciate our love and closeness.
Ooh love you're sweeter
You are even more wonderful and engaging than I could have imagined.
Sweeter than sugar
Your allure, charm, and positive qualities are beyond measure and rivals or surpasses anything else.
Ooh love
I cannot express enough how special and lovely you are to me.
I wont let you go
I will not let our connection and adoration slip away or disappear.
And as silly as it may seem
Although it may sound foolish, the joy and completeness you give me is real and genuine.
The lovin' that you re giving
The affection and care you show me is so affirming and satisfying for me.
Is what keeps me livin'
I cannot imagine my life without you, and I am grateful for the vitality and joy that you bring me.
And your love is like peaches and cream
Your love is the perfect balance of comfort, pleasure, and satisfaction, like the culinary delicacy of peaches and cream.
Kind-a like sugar
The warmth, fondness, and rush of emotions that I feel for you is similar to the sweet taste of sugar.
Kind-a like spices
The excitement, thrill, and variety that you bring to my life are as invigorating and piquant as a mixture of spices.
Kind-a like, like what you do
The way you love and treat me is unique, special, and satisfying for me.
Kind-a sounds funny
Although my expressions of love for you can be humorous or comical, they are earnest and authentic.
But your love honey
Your affection, care, and devotion for me are genuine, authentic, and supportive.
And honey, I love you
I dearly love and value you - my honey - and I am grateful for our bond and connection.
Ba, da, ba, da, da , da, da
This is a memorable and catchy musical interlude.
Ba, da, da, da, da, da . . .
This is a brief musical flourish.
That your love can satisfy
Your affection, care, and support can fulfill me and make me happy.
And sweet thing, that ain't no lie
You are really wonderful, caring, and lovely, and I mean it wholeheartedly.
Sweet thing, yummy yummy
You are so appealing, attractive, and special - like a deliciously sweet dessert.
Sweet thing
You are a cherished and valued person in my life.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Arthur Resnick, Joey Levine
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind