The Dovells are a musical group formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 195… Read Full Bio ↴The Dovells are a musical group formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1957 that was initially under the name 'The Brooktones'. Remembered for the top 10 pop smashes "You Can't Sit Down" and "Bristol Stomp", the beginning members were Arnie Silver, Mark Gordesky, Len Borisoff, Jerry Gross, Mike Freda, and Jim Mealey. Initially singing to local student audiences, a version of the group performs to the day.

Their first single was "No, No, No", which was a minor local hit for them as the Brooktones, who soon formally broke up as national success proved elusive. Summers and Dennis left the group, forming The Gems with Mark Stevens and Alan Horowitz in 1960, while the remaining former Brooktones signed to Chancellor Records and added Jerry Sirlin and William Shunkwiler to the group.

Their first hit was "Bristol Stomp" (also known as "The Bristol Stomp"), a dance song followed by the similar hit "Do the New Continental". They released a series of poppy singles over the next few years, facing various levels of success. Len Borisoff left in 1965 for a solo career under the name Len Barry. Having provided staples of oldies radio, the band continued to tour for decades. Interesting, the Dovells notably performed as backup singers, with them being a part of the Chubby Checker hit "Let's Twist Again", and also played for then U.S. President Bill Clinton twice.

Betty in Bermudas
The Dovells Lyrics

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Betty in Bermudas
Goes walking by
Like a movie star
With her head up high

(CHORUS)
Hey, Betty (hey, Betty)
Yeah, Betty (yeah, Betty)

Betty in Bermudas
I dig your dimpled knee

Betty's face is pretty
Everybody say
But she's still in shorts
I'm gonna look that way

(CHORUS)

Aw, come on, baby

I squawk when I hear her talk
I fly when she wiggles by
I scream when I see that dream
I die, I die when she says goodbye

Betty in Bermudas
Yeah, she looks so fine
And I'm so happy
In the summer time

(CHORUS)

Oh, come on, play on

Betty in Bermudas
Goes walking by
Like a movie star
With her head up high

(CHORUS)

I fly when she walks on by
I flip when I watch her dip
I sing when she shakes that thing

Betty in Bermudas
Never wears a dress
Ah, but she's the winner
Of my beauty contest

(CHORUS)

Come on, honey
Just one more time now

Betty in Bermudas
I dig your dimpled knee

Overall Meaning

The Dovells' song "Betty in Bermudas" is a cheerful song about a girl named Betty who wears Bermudas and walks by like a movie star with her head held high. The song praises Betty's attractive features, especially her knee dimples and pretty face. The chorus "Hey Betty, yeah Betty/Betty in Bermudas, I dig your dimpled knee" is catchy and fun to sing along.

The song celebrates the carefree summer season, as the lyrics suggest that the singer is happy in the summertime seeing Betty in her Bermudas. The song's tone is upbeat and lively, complemented by the fast-paced rhythm and lively use of instruments. The singer's language in the song is full of excitement, describing how he squawks when Betty talks, flies when she wiggles by, screams when he sees that dream, and dies when she says goodbye. The song is a celebration of youthful joy and bright-eyed admiration for the opposite sex.

In conclusion, "Betty in Bermudas" is a fun and lighthearted song that evokes feelings of summertime joy and youthful affection. The song's cheerful tone and catchy chorus can make one feel like dancing and enjoying life.

Line by Line Meaning

Betty in Bermudas Goes walking by Like a movie star With her head up high
Betty is walking confidently in Bermuda shorts as if she is a movie star.

Hey, Betty (hey, Betty) Yeah, Betty (yeah, Betty) Betty in Bermudas I dig your dimpled knee
The singer is admiring Betty in her Bermuda shorts and especially her dimpled knee.

Betty's face is pretty Everybody say But she's still in shorts I'm gonna look that way
Although others admire Betty's pretty face, the singer is only interested in looking at her in her shorts.

I squawk when I hear her talk I fly when she wiggles by I scream when I see that dream I die, I die when she says goodbye
The singer is so infatuated with Betty that he has extreme reactions to seeing and hearing her.

Betty in Bermudas Yeah, she looks so fine And I'm so happy In the summer time
Betty looks great in her Bermuda shorts, and the singer loves being around her in the summertime.

Betty in Bermudas Never wears a dress Ah, but she's the winner Of my beauty contest
Even though Betty only wears shorts, she is the winner of the singer's personal beauty contest.

I fly when she walks on by I flip when I watch her dip I sing when she shakes that thing
The singer continues to be extremely excited by Betty's every movement.

Come on, honey Just one more time now Betty in Bermudas I dig your dimpled knee
The singer asks Betty to come by one more time so he can admire her in her Bermuda shorts once again, especially her dimpled knee.

Writer(s): DAVID APPELL, ROSE MARIE MC COY, KAL MANN

Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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