Forbert signed a recording contract with Nemperor in 1978, and they released his debut album, Alive on Arrival, that same year. His song "Romeo's Tune", although "dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard" on the sleeve of Forbert's second album Jackrabbit Slim (released in 1979), is not about Supremes singer Ballard who died in 1976. "Forbert admits that Ballard became a timely connection for "Romeo's Tune", written about a girl from Meridian. "That seemed like such bad news to me and such sad news. She wasn't really taken care of by the music business, which is not a new story". At around this time critics hailed Forbert as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. The record was recorded in Nashville and produced by John Simon who had worked with The Band.
After many successful years, Forbert sought out new inspiration and found it when he relocated to Nashville in 1985. Forbert's tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, Any Old Time, was nominated for a 2004 Grammy in the best traditional folk category. In 2006, he was inducted into the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame.
Recent albums include Strange Names & New Sensations (2007), The Place And The Time (2009), and Over With You (2012).
www.steveforbert.com
Samson and Delilah's Beauty Shop
Steve Forbert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
Ow…
Hey
Well, Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey, there baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Well I'ma gonna ease your mind
Tell you where to find the best salon
Oh, past the local liquor store
Quarter of a mile beyond
They begin to a-whirlin' and a-curlin'
And a-twirlin' your hair, oh…o my
You can be believin' you'll be happy when
You’re leavin' from there
Oh ya
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey there baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
I said hey there baby let your long hair drop
Donna gonna graduate
An’ Katie's got a date alright
Oh, yes indeed they guarantee
They’re gonna look their best tonight
If you make appointments early
And they'll never leave you in no lurch
Oh, yes indeed they guarantee
You're lookin' mighty nice for church
'Cmon
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey there baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey baby let your long hair drop
Drop
[Instrumental Interlude]
Aw…
Oh, let it drop
Say, Mrs. Hayes highest praise
Is something very hard to win
She won't show her face
In anybody else's place again
Well a while ago Mr. Cole
Would never even step inside
But now you know it’s even so
He even gets his gray hair dyed
Where?
Right down at
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey there baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Baby let your long hair drop
Drop
[Instrumental Interlude]
Drop
You sittin' and contemplatin'
Waitin' on your hair to dry
Readin' magazines about
The people in the public eye (yeah baby)
Well, Johnny Carson, Richard Burton
Jackie O and Lady Di (Iii…i, why…i…i)
Larry Hageman, Sally Field
And Dolly Parton, me oh my
It's all yours at
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey, there baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
I said, hey there baby let your long hair drop
Said, Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Baby let your long hair drop
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
Hey, there baby let your long… hair…
Ah, 1, 2, 3, 4 drop,
'Cmon and drop,
Yeah 'cmon and drop,
Drop, drop, ah drop,
I said yeah
Let it drop,
Drop.
The song "Samson and Delilah's Beauty Shop" by Steve Forbert talks about a beauty salon owned by Samson and Delilah where people can get their hair done and pampered. The song mentions different characters who have visited the salon and their experiences. The chorus encourages women to let their long hair down and visit the salon. It also emphasizes the salon's quality service and reliability.
The song's central theme is that Samson and Delilah's Beauty Shop is a place to get beautiful and feel confident. Through the different characters mentioned in the song, the lyrics show that the salon is not just a place for women to get their hair done but also a place where people can bond and create lasting memories. Additionally, it emphasizes that the salon is a place where one can learn about celebrities and the goings-on in their lives.
Overall, the song's message is upbeat and optimistic, encouraging people to visit Samson and Delilah's Beauty Shop for a fabulous hairdo.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
The singer is introducing Samson and Delilah's beauty shop as the best place to go to get your hair done.
Hey there baby let your long hair drop
Encouraging customers to be more relaxed and let their hair down when they come to the salon.
Well I'ma gonna ease your mind
The singer is going to alleviate any worries that the customers may have and help them pick out the perfect look.
Tell you where to find the best salon
The artist is going to give the listeners some great advice on where to find the best hair services.
Oh, past the local liquor store
Locating the salon for the listeners by using the nearby liquor store as a landmark.
Quarter of a mile beyond
Giving more specific directions to help the customers find the salon with ease.
They begin to a-whirlin' and a-curlin'
And a-twirlin' your hair, oh…o my
The staff at the salon are very skilled at their craft and can create beautiful hairstyles for their customers.
You can be believin' you'll be happy when
You’re leavin' from there
Customers will be very satisfied with their new look and feel great when they leave the salon.
Donna gonna graduate
An’ Katie's got a date alright
The artist is discussing some customers who are getting their hair done for special events.
Oh, yes indeed they guarantee
They’re gonna look their best tonight
The salon promises their customers will look their absolute best for any important occasion.
If you make appointments early
And they'll never leave you in no lurch
Customers are urged to make appointments in advance so that the staff at the salon can properly schedule their services.
You're lookin' mighty nice for church
The artist is affirming that the customers will look good enough to attend religious services.
Say, Mrs. Hayes highest praise
Is something very hard to win
Mrs. Hayes is a customer who is notoriously hard to please.
She won't show her face
In anybody else's place again
Mrs. Hayes was very displeased with other salons and will only go to Samson and Delilah's beauty shop from now on.
Well a while ago Mr. Cole
Would never even step inside
But now you know it’s even so
He even gets his gray hair dyed
Mr. Cole used to be too proud to get his hair done, but now he goes to Samson and Delilah's salon and even gets his hair dyed.
You sittin' and contemplatin'
Waitin' on your hair to dry
Readin' magazines about
The people in the public eye (yeah baby)
The artist is describing the typical experience of waiting for hair to dry after a salon visit, which is usually spent looking at celebrity gossip magazines.
Well, Johnny Carson, Richard Burton
Jackie O and Lady Di (Iii…i, why…i…i)
Larry Hageman, Sally Field
And Dolly Parton, me oh my
The artist is referencing a popular magazine called People, which features stories about celebrities like Johnny Carson, Richard Burton, Jackie O, Lady Di, Larry Hageman, Sally Field, and Dolly Parton.
It's all yours at
Samson and Delilah's beauty shop
The singer is reminding the listeners that they can find all of their favorite celebrity news and gossip at Samson and Delilah's salon.
Ah, 1, 2, 3, 4 drop,
'Cmon and drop,
Yeah 'cmon and drop,
Drop, drop, ah drop,
I said yeah
A fun, rhythmic invitation for customers to let their hair down and enjoy their experience at the salon.
Let it drop,
Drop.
Another invitation for customers to relax and enjoy their visit at the hair salon.
Contributed by Charlotte V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
russrosh
on Get Well Soon
Love it!