1) The Japanese band (チェッカーズ) was a Japanese pop/rock band famous in the 80s. The band was formed by Toru Takeuchi, the leader and the guitarist, who asked Fumiya Fujii to start a band with him. They made a debut on 21 September 1983 and split up on 31 December 1992. All of their single releases entered top 10 in Japanese charts, many of them making it to No 1. Fumiya Fujii, who was the lead singer and the main lyricist, went on to pursue a successful solo career.
Origin Kurume, Japan
Years active 1981 – 1992
Label Pony Canyon Records
Members :
Fumiya Fujii
Masaharu Tsuruku
Yoshihiko Takamoku
Tohru Takeuchi
Yuji Ohdoi
Yoshiya Tokunaga
Naoyuki Fujii
2) The Checkers were an offshoot of the Dominoes, one of the most popular R&B groups around, and formed by Bill Brown, John Carnegie and Charlie White. They were joined by a baritone only remembered as “Joe” or “Buddy.” and Irwin “Teddy” Williams. King records kept releasing songs by other groups under the “Checkers” name.
3) The Checkers (US), were propelled by the vocals of the Julie Vox (aka renowned rock photographer Julie Pavlowski), guitarist G.G. King, drummer Mark Reback, and three different bassists starting with Chris , then Shawn Munoz and lastly Lee LeBaigue (Madcap). WIth songs like “Seeing Spots,” "The Nerve", “User,” and the irresistible “You Dont Wanna Know”, The Checkers exploded with plenty of bubbly bad girl spunk, frenetic energetic beats, overdriven blasts of trebly guitar, and hooks galore. They pulled off some surprising covers in the form of “Observer” (a gem-of-an-obscurity originally done by a pre-luftballon Nena’s band The Stripes), Felony’s lost early ’80s classic “The Fanatic", and "Blue Eyes" by Gary Numan's old band Tubeway Army over two full-length releases on Teenacide Records: "Make A Move" (2003), and "Running With Scissors" (2006).
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Hey Hey Hey
The Checkers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About a girl named Mary Mac
And her wondering lover Bob Needle (Oh! Softly)
I can hear her callin'
[Chorus:]
Hey Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle
Hey Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle
Hey Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle
Hey Bob
Hey Bob
Mary Mac, Mac, Mac
All dressed in black, black, black
Don't cha know I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Just to come on back back back
Cause I took a plane, plane, plane
But there was some rain, rain, rain
And there was no flyin', flyin', flyin'
So I took a train, train, train
Oh Mary, Mac, Mac, Mac
It went off the track, track, track
Can't you see I'm dyin', dyin', dyin'
Just to come on back, back, back (Oh! Softly)
I can hear you callin'
[Chorus]
Well I took a boat, boat, boat
But it wouldn't float, float, float
So I kept on a puffin', puffin', puffin'
That was all she wrote, wrote, wrote
So I must wear my cross, cross, cross
And I bought a horse, horse, horse
But it just keeps runnin', runnin', runnin'
All around the track, track, track
Baby I ain't lyin', lyin', lyin'
Can't you see that I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Don't cha know I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Just to come on back
To Mary Mac (Oh! Softly)
I can hear her holler
[Chorus]
Oh Yeah
Hey Bob
The Checkers' "Hey Hey Hey" is a sorrowful tale of a man named Bob Needle and his lover Mary Mac, who is grieving in black. The song follows Bob's efforts to return to Mary, but he experiences one unfortunate event after another. The song's lyrics express a deep sense of yearning and dedication as Bob tries to overcome every obstacle in his way, such as taking a plane that was grounded by stormy weather, a boat that wouldn't float, and a horse that just kept running in circles. Nonetheless, Bob's unyielding efforts demonstrate the lengths he is willing to go to be with Mary.
The Checkers' "Hey Hey Hey" is a prime example of doo-wop styles to a generation of listeners. The song was one of the most successful tracks of the group, reaching #2 on the R&B charts when it was released. After four weeks, the song melted away, but its legacy continued, holding its place as a doo-wop classic. The song's popularity was buoyed by its charm, falsetto lead vocals and soulful harmonies. The Checkers' "Hey Hey Hey" contributed to a wealthy, emotionally charged chapter in the history of American rhythm and blues music.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a sad story
The following lyrics will tell a tale that is quite bleak.
About a girl named Mary Mac
The story revolves around a woman whose name is Mary Mac.
And her wondering lover Bob Needle (Oh! Softly)
Mary has a lover named Bob Needle who is presently on a voyage.
I can hear her callin'
Mary's voice echoes out to Bob.
Hey Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle, Bobba Needle
Mary is repeatedly calling for Bob's attention.
All dressed in black, black, black
Mary is donning a black outfit.
Don't cha know I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Mary is endeavoring hard to return back to Bob.
Just to come on back back back
Mary desires to return to Bob with all her might.
Cause I took a plane, plane, plane
Mary traveled on an airplane.
But there was some rain, rain, rain
However, the weather was not favorable, and it rained.
And there was no flyin', flyin', flyin'
The flight was not possible due to the bad weather.
So I took a train, train, train
Mary then boarded a train to get to Bob.
Oh Mary, Mac, Mac, Mac
Bob is addressing Mary.
It went off the track, track, track
The train met with an accident and derailed.
Can't you see I'm dyin', dyin', dyin'
Bob's situation is dire and he's struggling to stay alive.
Just to come on back, back, back (Oh! Softly)
Bob narrates how he's clinging to life while trying to come back to Mary.
Well I took a boat, boat, boat
Bob tried a different mode of transportation which was a boat.
But it wouldn't float, float, float
The boat sank, and Bob was left stranded.
So I kept on a puffin', puffin', puffin'
Bob then resorted to swimming and struggled to keep his head above water.
That was all she wrote, wrote, wrote
Bob's efforts were all in vain and he was still far away from Mary.
So I must wear my cross, cross, cross
Bob feels like he has to bear the burden of being separated from Mary.
And I bought a horse, horse, horse
To get to Mary, Bob bought a horse hoping it would take him there quickly.
But it just keeps runnin', runnin', runnin'
However, the horse simply kept running in circles.
All around the track, track, track
The horse is running around a track, and Bob is not getting any closer to Mary.
Baby I ain't lyin', lyin', lyin'
Bob is telling Mary that he is not making any of this up.
Can't you see that I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Bob is giving his all to return back to Mary.
Don't cha know I'm tryin', tryin', tryin'
Bob implores Mary to understand that he's giving it his all to come back to her.
Just to come on back
Bob is putting in his best efforts to get back to Mary.
To Mary Mac (Oh! Softly)
Bob yearns to be reunited with Mary.
I can hear her holler
Bob can hear Mary's heartfelt cries for him.
Oh Yeah
The song ends with a resounding 'Oh Yeah!'.
Hey Bob
Mary is calling Bob's name again and again.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: D. APPELL, KAL MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind