The group came together as The Carnations, with lead vocalist Earl "Speedo" Carroll (November 2, 1937 – November 25, 2012), Bobby Phillips, Lavern Drake (bass vocalist), and Gus Willingham. As the group moved into the recording studios, James "Poppa" Clark was added as a fifth member, and the name "The Cadillacs" was given to them. The group's first recording came in July 1954, with Josie Records #765, featuring Gloria and Wonder Why.
In 1955, Willingham and Clark left the group and were replaced by Earl Wade and Charles Brooks. At this time, the group first began to experiment with choreography, suggested by manager Esther Navarro. Later that year came the group's biggest hit, "Speedoo", Carroll's nickname. Lavern Drake left the group in 1956 and was replaced by J. R. Bailey.
In 1957, differences in opinion caused the group to split. One group was initially known as The Four Cadillacs, with current bass J. R. Bailey, former bass Lavern Drake, and new members Roland Martinez and Bobby Spencer. The previous year, Bobby Spencer had written the "My Boy Lollipop" pop song shuffle for Barbie Gaye, which was played by Alan Freed and secured Barbie Gaye a spot in his 1956 Christmas Show opening for Little Richard. In 1964, an Ernest Ranglin produced ska version of the song became a multi-million seller for Jamaican teenager Millie Small and made producer Chris Blackwell rich, leading to further development of his Island Records label.
The other four current members - Carroll, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips - continued recording separately, later as Earl Carroll and the Cadillacs. Bailey's group also included former group saxophonist Jesse "Tex" Powell, and recorded in early 1958 as Jesse Powell and the Caddys. Both groups recorded simultaneously on Josie Records. Later in 1958, the groups combined back into one. Carroll's backup vocalists, Wade, Brooks, and Phillips, all decided to retire and Carroll joined Bailey, Drake, Martinez and Spencer. Carroll's lead spot had been given to Spencer and Bailey, and he left shortly thereafter, creating a new group, Speedo and the Pearls, which recorded briefly in 1959. In 1959, the Cadillacs are also featured in the movie Go Johnny, Go
The group split and re-formed in 1960, with Carroll, Martinez, Kirk Davis, and bass Ronnie Bright. Later the group was Carroll, Martinez, the returning Bobby Spencer, Milton Love, and Reggie Barnes. Martinez, Love and Barnes were all members of The Solitares at one time.
In 1961, the group began to resemble The Coasters in their music. The lineup shifted again, now with Carroll, Martinez, Curtis Williams, Ray Brewster, and Irving Lee Gail. Carroll was out by 1963 to enter the group they'd been emulating, The Coasters, with Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, and former Cadillac Ronnie Bright. 1963 also ended the group's run on Josie Records.
Brewster and Martinez brought in former members Bobby Spencer and J. R. Bailey and continued to record through 1963. The group split, with Bailey joining the Jive Five. Brewster brought in former Cadillac/Solitare Milton Love with Solitares Bobby Baylor and Fred Barksdale. This group recorded briefly in 1964. Spencer became lead vocalist, with Joey Levine (Ohio Express, Reunion) as backing vocalist, for Crazy Elephant, a bubblegum music group, in 1969.
The Cadillacs were back in 1970 with J. R. Bailey, Bobby Spencer, original member Bobby Phillips (who had retired from Speedo's group during the split), and new member Leroy Binns, of The Charts. Steven Brown later replaced Phillips. Teddy Pendergrass came on as the groups drummer. The group split into the mid-1970s and some members joined Herold Melvin and the Bluenotes, including Teddy Pendergrass as drummer. In 1979 Earl Carroll, Earl Wade, Bobby Phillips, and Steven Brown came together for a Subaru commercial.
Carroll had remained with the Coasters during this time, and left in the early 1990s to permanently re-form the Cadillacs with Phillips, Brown, Gary K. Lewis, and musical director Eddie Jones. Brown left in 2003. Phillips died in March 2011.
The Cadillacs were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.
Speedoo
The Cadillacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom, bom.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
And for takin' other folks' girls.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
Now I've known some pretty women
And I thought that would change their minds.
Well, now, some they call me Joe.
Some they call me Moe.
Best man is Speedoo;
He don't never take it slow.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Now they're gonna call me Speedoo,
Till they call off makin' pretty girls.
Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom,
Bom, bom, bom, bom.
The Cadillacs' song "Speedoo" is a playful tune that tells the story of a man named Mister Earl who is known by everyone as Speedoo. He earned this nickname because he doesn't believe in wasting time, and he is always looking to meet new people and take other people's girls. The song takes on a lighthearted tone, with the repetition of "bom, bom, bom" in the background adding a fun, carefree quality.
The lyrics are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, as Mister Earl seems to be enjoying his reputation as a ladies' man. He is proud of his ability to charm women, but he is also aware that he might not be making any lasting connections. Despite this, he is always on the lookout for his next conquest.
The song is a classic of the doo-wop genre, which dominated the charts in the 1950s and early 1960s. With its catchy melody and simple, relatable lyrics, "Speedoo" is a timeless example of the style. The playful nature of the lyrics and the upbeat music make it a perfect choice for dancing and having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Bom, bom, bom,
This line sets the tone for the musical aspect of the song and creates a catchy rhythm.
Now they up and call me Speedoo,
People call me Speedoo because I don't waste time and get straight to the point, which they appreciate.
But my real name is Mister Earl.
Although people know me as Speedoo, my actual name is Mister Earl.
All for meetin' brand-new fellows
I'm always up for meeting new people and making new friends.
And for takin' other folks' girls.
I'm not opposed to pursuing women who are already in relationships.
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time.
I'm a man who likes to cut to the chase and make the most out of every moment.
Now I've known some pretty women
I've had my fair share of relationships with attractive women.
And I thought that would change their minds.
I had hoped that being with me would convince these women to stay with me.
Well, now, some they call me Joe.
Some people call me Joe, while others call me by my nickname, Speedoo.
Some they call me Moe.
Some people call me Moe instead of my nickname, Speedoo.
Best man is Speedoo;
Out of all the men they know, they consider me the best because of my efficiency and effectiveness.
He don't never take it slow.
I always move quickly and am always on the go.
Now they're gonna call me Speedoo,
People will continue to refer to me by my nickname, Speedoo.
Till they call off makin' pretty girls.
People will only stop calling me Speedoo when there are no more pretty girls to pursue.
Bom, bom, bom,
This line serves as an outro to the song, repeating the rhythm established in the beginning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ESTHER NAVARRO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nickolv.7406
Bom-bom-bom-bom
Ba-ba-do-do-do
Bom-bom-bom
Ba-ba-do-do-do
Bom-bom-bom
Ba-ba-do-do-do
Bom-bom-bom
Ba-ba-do-do-do
Well now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Umm-hm-hm-hm
Now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Um-hm-hm-hm
Known for meetin' brand new fellas
And takin' other folk's girl
Well now, they often call me Speedo
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time
Umm-hm-hm
Well, they often call me Speedo
'Cause I don't believe in wastin' time
Umm-hm-hm
Well, I'm known some pretty women
And that's caused them to change their minds
Umm-hm-hm
Well now, some may call me, Joe
Some may call me, Moe
Just remember Speedo
He don't never take it slow
Well now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Umm-hm-hm
Well now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Umm-hm-hm
Well now, some may call me, Moe
Some may call me, Joe
Just remember Speedo
He don't never take it slow
Well now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Umm-hm-hm
Well now, they often call me Speedo
But my real name is Mr. Earl
Umm-hm-hm
And now they got to call me Speedo
'Til they call off makin' pretty girls
Umm-hm-hm, um-hm-hm-hm
Hm-hm-hm-hm, hm-hm-hm-hm, hm-hm-hm-hm
@karlsalocks
Jimmy was the kinda guy who rooted for the bad guys in the movies
@elvispresley718
+Karl Salocks this movie just has too many great lines
@samfilmkid
Shrimp and lobsters were best.
@maricelaaguilera5451
They called him Jimmy "The Gent". Truckers loved him
@jimmyconway7958
Drinks..are on..the house!!
@paulyosef7550
WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.
@acrucker
Another Masterpiece for future generations to enjoy! Thank you, Cadillacs!
@MikeMcDermott87
You're right, Goodfellas was a masterpiece and so was this song.
@Bamm412000
Love this ....I was 14 ....Still love it at 73...
@youngmindedman
I still love it, will be 81 Fri. 14th, 2018