The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
Destination Moon
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll have a lovely afternoon
Kiss the world goodbye and away we fly
Destination moon
Travel fast as light 'til we're lost from sight
The earth is like a toy balloon
What a thrill you get ridin' on a jet
We'll go up, up, up, up
Straight to the moon we two
High in the starry blue
I'll be out of this world with you
So away we steal in a space mobile
A supersonic honeymoon
Leave your cares below
Pull the switch, let's go
Destination moon
Destination moon
Destination moon
There once was a time when the colorful thing to do
Was to call for a date on a bicycle built for two
But cars and trains and even planes all have had their day
Now the time is due to call for you in the modern atomic way
We'll go up, up, up, up
Straight to the moon we two
High in the starry blue
I'll be out of this world with you
So away we steal in a space mobile
A supersonic honeymoon
Leave your cares below
Pull the switch, let's go
Destination moon
The Ames Brothers's song Destination Moon is a romantic and adventurous tune that invites the listener to imagine a trip to the moon. The song is a representation of the 1950s era's fascination with space travel and the unknown possibilities of what lay beyond Earth. The song's opening lines encourage the listener to come on a rocket ship trip, promising a lovely afternoon away from Earth, flying towards the moon. As the song progresses, the lyrics describe the thrill of traveling at the speed of light and watching the Earth become a toy balloon below.
The chorus of the song repeats the title of the song, Destination Moon, emphasizing the allure and excitement of space travel. The verse continues with a description of the journey, using a space mobile that's supersonic, and calling for leaving all worries behind. The song concludes with a hopeful promise to have a wonderful time on a supersonic honeymoon.
Line by Line Meaning
Come and take a trip in my rocket ship
Join me in embarking on an adventurous journey to an unexplored space in a rocket.
We'll have a lovely afternoon
We will enjoy a delightful time spending the afternoon exploring the unknown space.
Kiss the world goodbye and away we fly
As we prepare to leave, let's bid farewell to the familiar world and soar towards the unknown destination.
Destination moon
Our final destination is the moon.
Travel fast as light 'til we're lost from sight
Let's travel at an incredible speed while we move farther from the earth, eventually disappearing from sight.
The earth is like a toy balloon
The enormity of space becomes apparent as the earth seems insignificant, like a small toy balloon.
What a thrill you get ridin' on a jet
Experiencing the excitement of riding a jet while exploring space is incredible.
Destination moon
Our ultimate objective is to reach the moon.
We'll go up, up, up, up
Our rocket will elevate at a steady pace, moving closer to our destination with every passing moment.
Straight to the moon we two
Our path will be direct, taking us straight to the moon, leaving no room for distractions.
High in the starry blue
We will be soaring through the vast emptiness of space, surrounded by the brilliance of the stars.
I'll be out of this world with you
Together, we'll transcend the boundaries of the world's confines as we journey to the unexplored lunar terrain.
So away we steal in a space mobile
We will set off in our rocket ship - the modern vehicle meant for space exploration.
A supersonic honeymoon
Our adventurous journey will act as our honeymoon, spent in supersonic speed through the vast emptiness of space.
Leave your cares below
There's no need to worry about the problems of the world below our feet as we leave it all behind.
Pull the switch, let's go
It's time to activate the engine and set off for our destination moon.
Destination moon
The chorus reinforces that our objective is to reach the moon.
Destination moon
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus' final phrase, emphasizing the goal one last time.
There once was a time when the colorful thing to do
In the past, people found entertainment in romantic and traditional activities like a bicycle built for two.
But cars and trains and even planes all have had their day
However, time has progressed, and now more faster vehicles have replaced traditional methods of transportation.
Now the time is due to call for you in the modern atomic way
It's time for modern technology, and there's no better way to travel than in a rocket ship propelled by an atomic engine.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARVIN FISHER, ROY ALFRED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SW2799
This record was part of my family's LP collection for as many years as I can remember. This is a great song. I'm writing this on the weekend where we mark the 50 year anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This record was in the early years of the space race, around the time of Sputnik. It is amazing to think that only about 10 years later, man had set foot on the moon. We had indeed reached "Destination Moon."
FirefighterSEIN
Same here. This was a part of my family's album collection, and I always thought it was such a catchy tune.
Eduardo Corrochio
For me this is the epitome of cool, and a sweet slice of mid-20th century fun.
Fred Pickett
One of the best Groups We ever had/Such Good harmony/R.I.P Guys.
calaleph
great rendition
Lonnie Cavenee
In Living Stereo!
yan k
thanks for sharing Jean-Philippe Boisbriand
Ben Johnson
I got here cause of the mission control documentary
Bruce Merrill
I did too, the 'mission control unsung heros' one on Netflix!
Jim Y
me too, but long after you guys and also expecting a to hear a woman's voice too.