The Beau Brummels broke into the mainstream with their debut single, "Laugh, Laugh", for which they would later be credited for setting the aesthetic foundation for the San Francisco Sound. The band's popularity continued with the subsequent album, 1965's Introducing the Beau Brummels, and the Top 10 single "Just a Little". The group's commercial success declined by the following year, at which time the financially struggling Autumn label was acquired by Warner Bros. Records. After recording an album of cover songs, Beau Brummels '66, the band released a pair of critically acclaimed albums: Triangle in 1967 and Bradley's Barn in 1968.
The band underwent several personnel changes, beginning with Mulligan's departure in 1965. Guitarist Don Irving joined the band in late 1965 when Elliott began to suffer seizures resulting from a diabetic condition, leaving him unable to tour with the band. Shortly after the release of Beau Brummels '66, Irving left the group when he was inducted into the armed forces. Petersen left to join Harpers Bizarre, reducing the Beau Brummels to a trio for the recording of Triangle. Meagher was drafted for military service in 1968, leaving Valentino and Elliott as the only remaining band members. The duo worked with prominent Nashville session musicians to record Bradley's Barn before parting ways in 1969 to focus on solo material and participate in projects by other artists. The five original Beau Brummels reformed in 1974, and the band released an eponymous album the following year.
The Jerk
The Beau Brummels Lyrics
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[Spoken: Monkey overdub, 4a...Correction 5a...5a]
[Spoken: one, two, one-two]
Jerk to the left
[Spoken: You got your echo on]
[Spoken: Stop, he got that too loud.]
[Spoken: Hey, ah, Hank, Hank, Hank.
How much echo do you have, ah, reverb do you have on our voices?]
[Spoken: Monkey overdub, take 6a]
[Spoken: Jerk]
[Spoken: What?]
[Spoken: One, two, one-two]
Jerk to the left
[Spoken: Monkey overdub, take 7a]
[Spoken: Jerk overdub, baby]
[Spoken: What?]
[Spoken: This is the Jerk overdub]
[Spoken: Oh, it looks like the Monkey overdub]
[Spoken: Say Jerk]
[Some guitar sounds]
[Spoken: OK, here we go, ah, Monkey overdub, take 7a]
[Spoken: Jerk]
[Spoken: Pretty sly on your {Unintelligent-able}. What do ya want? Stay slow. Son of a...]
[Spoken: Jerk overdub, take 7a, take 8a]
[Spoken: One, two, one-two]
Jerk to the left, jerk to the ri-ight...
The number one dance
It's outta si-ight...
Move your arms
Shuffle your fee-et...
The boss's dance, with the boss's be-eat...
Ah, do the Jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya) Well ya
Oh, do the Jerk now (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Ah, do the Jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Well that beats alright moving out from Jersey now
Move little baby, with a lot of so-oul...
This is the dance that will never grow o-old...
Everybody jerkin' all over to-own...
Jerkin', jerkin', to the jerkin' so-ound...
Well do the jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Oh ya, do the jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Well do the jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Well you're going to have to get on down
Well, yeah
[Instrumental Break]
The jerk is mellow; it's easy to do-ooo...
C'mon baby, let me jerk with you-ou...
If you've never dance, watch me mo-ove...
Just a little while, you'll be in groo-ove...
Oh, yeah, do the jerk now (yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Do the jerk now (yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Well move your arms (ya, ya, ya)
Jump
Jump
Jump for me...
[Spoken: Thank you]
[Laughter]
[Spoken: More problems jerk]
The Beau Brummels' song "The Jerk" is a lighthearted dance tune that incorporates spoken interludes and instructions for the listener to perform the titular dance. The song begins with a few brief spoken comments from the band and sound engineers as they prepare to record. The music then starts, and the band instructs the listener to "jerk to the left" and "jerk to the right" in time with the music.
The song's chorus encourages listeners to "do the Jerk," going through a series of instructions for the dance moves, including moving arms and shuffling feet. The sound effects, spoken interludes, and infectious rhythm all contribute to the song's fun and upbeat feeling. The lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, making it a fun song for people to dance along to.
Overall, "The Jerk" celebrates the joy of music, dance, and having a good time. It encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and join in, creating a lively atmosphere of communal enjoyment.
Line by Line Meaning
Jerk to the left
Move your body to the left side
Jerk to...
An interruption in recording due to loud music
Jerk to the left
Repeat of the first line for the purpose of recording
Jerk overdub, baby
An additional recording of the word 'Jerk'
This is the Jerk overdub
Clarification of the added recording
Say Jerk
Asking someone to say the word 'Jerk'
Jerk to the left, jerk to the ri-ight...
Instructions for dancing the Jerk
The number one dance
Recognition of the Jerk as a popular dance
Move your arms, Shuffle your fee-et...
Specific steps for dancing the Jerk
Ah, do the Jerk (oh yeah, ya, ya, ya) Well ya
Encouragement to dance the Jerk
Move little baby, with a lot of so-oul...
Description of dancing the Jerk with emotion
Everybody jerkin' all over to-own...
Recognition of the popularity of the Jerk in town
The jerk is mellow; it's easy to do-ooo...
The Jerk is an easy and relaxed dance
C'mon baby, let me jerk with you-ou...
Invitation to dance the Jerk together
If you've never dance, watch me mo-ove...
Encouragement to learn the Jerk by watching others
Oh, yeah, do the jerk now (yeah, ya, ya, ya)
Reiteration of the encouragement to dance the Jerk
Move your arms (ya, ya, ya), Jump Jump Jump for me...
Instructions for specific dance moves in the Jerk
Thank you
End of the song
More problems jerk
Remarks about recording issues
Contributed by Jack Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.