In 1968, Filmation produced "The Archie Show", a Saturday morning cartoon based upon the Archie comics. Jeff Barry and Don Kirshner, two of the producers credited with the success of The Monkees, signed on to produce recordings to be "performed" by the Archies for the show. Aside from being featured in "song of the week" sequences on the TV show itself, there were also five Archies LPs released between 1968 and 1971, and several singles, including four Top 40 hits. The most successful of the Archies' hits was "Sugar, Sugar", a number-one Billboard Hot 100 hit which became the top-selling song of 1969. "Sugar, Sugar" remains the only number-one American pop hit by a fictitious group. The other three Archies hits were "Bang-Shang-A-Lang" (1968), "Jingle Jangle" (1970), and "Who's Your Baby?" (1971); their other singles include "Feelin' So Good" (1969), "Inside Out, Upside Down" (1969), and "Get on the Line" (1970). Many of the Archies' songs, including "Sugar, Sugar", were composed by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim, and several songs were compositions The Monkees had turned down.
Ron Dante provided the male lead vocals for the Archies recordings, with Toni Wine, and later Donna Marie and Merle Miller, providing the female leads. "The Archie Show" remained on the air under various names and in various formats until 1978, although the Archies studio musical group ceased to make new commercial recordings after 1971.
A complete reissue of the Archies albums was released in 2016, containing 60 tracks. However, the only hit by them, "Sugar, Sugar," gets a significant number of listeners.
Bicycles Roller Skates and You
The Archies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Do do do do
(Do do do do)
Do do do do
Everyday I wake up with a happy smile on my face
Cause I'm so glad to be a member of the human race
(Awwwwwww)
I ain't got a dime
(Awwwwwww)
But I'm the richest guy you'd every find
Cause I've got
Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Do do do do
(Do do do do)
Do do do do
The sweet and simple things in life are all that I need
(Do do do do)
You showed me how with love and now I just follow your lead
(Awwwwww)
Now I'm so aware
(Awwwwww)
That nothing in the whole world can compare
To you
Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Holding hands while riding through the park
(Da da da da, da da da da)
Rolling past out troubles like Sir Lancelot
Cause I've got
Bicycles roller skates and you
My baby (My baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
Bicycles roller skates and you
(Bi bicycles, roll roller skates)
My baby (my baby)
Bicycles roller skates and you
The Archies' song "Bicycles Roller Skates and You" is a joyous celebration of the simple pleasures of life. The song's lyrics are a declaration of love for the person who makes the singer's life complete. The song's first verse introduces the idea that the singer wakes up happy every day, simply because he is grateful for his life. He claims that he has nothing material, but in fact, he is the richest man in the world because he has the person he loves, and the simple pleasures of life: bicycles, roller skates, and his partner.
In the second verse, the singer says that his partner has taught him to appreciate the sweet and simple things in life. He follows her lead in pursuing a life of contentment based on love and happiness rather than material things. He is now convinced that nothing in the world can compare to his partner and their relationship.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of the phrase "Bicycles roller skates and you, my baby," which drives home the idea that it's the simple things in life, coupled with the love of another person, that can bring the most happiness.
Overall, "Bicycles Roller Skates and You" is an upbeat and cheerful song that’s overflowing with positivity and appreciation for the joys of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Bicycles roller skates and you
These are the simple things in my life that make me happy, especially when I'm with you.
My baby (My baby)
You are my sweetheart and the one I love.
Do do do do (Do do do do) Do do do do
These nonsensical sounds represent my joy and excitement about life and love.
Everyday I wake up with a happy smile on my face
I'm grateful for each day that I get to spend with you.
(Awwwwwww)
These sounds express my contentment and satisfaction with my life, despite not having much money.
I ain't got a dime
I don't have much money or material possessions, but I don't need them as long as I have you.
But I'm the richest guy you'd every find
I feel like the wealthiest man in the world because I have your love and companionship.
The sweet and simple things in life are all that I need
I don't need fancy things or excessive wealth to be happy; the simple pleasures of life with you are enough for me.
You showed me how with love and now I just follow your lead
You have taught me how to appreciate the simple things in life, and I am so grateful for your love.
(Awwwwww)
This expresses my deep affection and gratitude for you and everything you bring to my life.
Now I'm so aware
I realize now that nothing in the world can compare to the love and joy that you bring to my life.
Holding hands while riding through the park
I treasure these moments when we are together, enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
(Da da da da, da da da da)
These sounds represent the sound of our laughter and the happiness we share when we are together.
Rolling past out troubles like Sir Lancelot
With you by my side, I feel like I can conquer any obstacle or adversity that comes our way.
(Bi bicycles, roll roller skates)
This is an upbeat and happy expression of my love for the simple things in life.
Writer(s): RITCHIE ADAMS, MARK BARKAN
Contributed by Maria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
7JANEWAY
The singer's real name was Ron Dante. While he was recording for the Archies, he also sang lead on the Cuff Links' "Tracy", which according to Wikipedia, reached number 9 on the Top 100 chart.
Anthony
This is way better than today’s popular music
olivia martinez
ME ENCANTA ESTA CANCION,QUE DE HERMOSOS RECUERDOS INFANTILES TENGO DE PURA FELICIDAD MUSICAL.
shelley Ganz
FANTASTIC, NOW and ALWAYS!!
7JANEWAY
BTW--you did a great job putting this video together!!! This looks just like the original song videos I saw as a kid on the original Archies cartoon show on CBS (which was so popular, they expanded it and renamed it "The Archie Comedy Hour" after just one season).
Adrienne Myers
Too much fun! .making me smile!! Adrienne
Noi_ Galaxy
One of my favorites l love the archies
CatMan
Thank you Paul,music like this is so pleasant and relaxing,unlike all this vulgar hate music we have today. I always said by the '90s the music went to hell! Fortunately in Chicago we do have a couple decent radio stations that play good music. Check out 88.7 and 94.7 fm. And if you want more rock try 95.9 and 97.1. You won't be disappointed.
shelley Ganz
SHEER BLISS......Makes you wish it would never end...
Paul Christman
And to think that back then, Merilee Rush's "Angel of the Morning" was a controversial hit song.....
It's a nursery rhyme compared to the trashy, vulgar "music" that has been being constantly cranked out by rap 'artists' since the early nineties.