Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
Trolley Song
The Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics
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"Ding, ding, ding" went the bell
"Zing, zing, zing" went my heartstrings
For the moment I saw him I fell
"Chug, chug, chug" went the motor
"Bump, bump, bump" went the brake
"Thump, thump, thump" went my heartstrings
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
He asked my name I held my breath
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
"Buzz, buzz, buzz" went the buzzer
"Plop, plop, plop" went the wheels
"Stop, stop, stop" went my heartstrings
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
And as if it were planned
He stayed on with me and it was grand
Just to stand with his hand holding mine
All the way to the end of the line
The Trolley Song by The Dave Brubeck Quartet is a romantic and lively tune that describes the excitement and thrill of falling in love in the midst of city life. Throughout the song, the sounds of the trolley car and its movements mimic the rushing emotions and heartbeats of the singer as she first encounters the man who will capture her heart. The onomatopoeic words used in the song beautifully emphasize the ambiance and energy of the city, as well as the intensity of the singer's emotions.
The verse "Zing, zing, zing" went my heartstrings when I saw him is particularly striking, as it perfectly captures the sensation of butterflies in one's stomach when falling in love. The singer clearly experiences a deep attraction to the man, as shown by the "Thump, thump, thump" sound her heartstrings make when he smiles. This love-at-first-sight feeling is further highlighted when she struggles to speak and "couldn't speak because he scared me half to death." Despite her initial fear, the natural chemistry between the two causes the singer to take hold of his sleeve and keep him close to her as they journey to the end of the line.
Overall, The Trolley Song is a vivid representation of the excitement and hope that comes with unexpected love. Through its well-crafted lyrics and cheerful melody, the song manages to evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, bygone era.
Line by Line Meaning
Clang, clang, clang went the trolley
The trolley made a loud, metallic sound as it moved along the tracks
Ding, ding, ding went the bell
As the trolley traveled, its bell rang out multiple times
Zing, zing, zing went my heartstrings
Upon seeing someone special, the singer felt a fluttering in their chest
For the moment I saw him I fell
The artist fell in love at first sight
Chug, chug, chug went the motor
The trolley's motor made a rhythmic, engine-like noise
Bump, bump, bump went the brake
The trolley's brake made a jarring, irregular rhythm
Thump, thump, thump went my heartstrings
Once again, the singer's heart was racing due to the presence of their love interest
When he smiled, I could feel the car shake
The artist was so enamored with their love interest's smile that they felt it throughout their whole body
He tipped his hat, and took a seat
The love interest politely greeted the artist and found a place to sit
He said he hoped he hadn't stepped upon my feet
The love interest was apologetic and considerate of the artist
He asked my name I held my breath
The singer was nervous and excited as their love interest initiated conversation
I couldn't speak because he scared me half to death
The artist was so overwhelmed by their love interest that they were left speechless
Buzz, buzz, buzz went the buzzer
The trolley's buzzer sounded repeatedly to signal stops or changes in direction
Plop, plop, plop went the wheels
The sound of the wheels turning was amplified by the tracks and could be heard rhythmically 'plopping' along
Stop, stop, stop went my heartstrings
As the journey was coming to an end, the singer's heart filled with a sense of urgency and sadness
As he started to leave I took hold of his sleeve with my hand
The artist was desperate to not let their love interest go and reached out to touch them
And as if it were planned, he stayed on with me and it was grand
To their relief, the love interest decided to stay with the artist and the experience was wonderful
Just to stand with his hand holding mine, all the way to the end of the line
The singer was content to simply stand with their love interest, hand in hand, until the end of their journey together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH MARTIN, RALPH BLANE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind