1… Read Full Bio ↴Musical groups in three genres have shared the name The Four Aces.
1. The Aces, initially known as "The Four Aces" were a Jamaican vocal group who are best known for their work with Desmond Dekker, but who also recorded without him. The initial line-up of the Aces was Clive Campbell, Barry Howard, Carl Howard, and Patrick Howard. The group came to the attention of Dekker, who supported them when they auditioned for Leslie Kong at Beverley's studio in 1965. The producer employed the group as backing singers for Dekker, recording many hits with him including "The King of Ska" (where they were credited as His Cherry Pies), "Get Up Adinah" (on which they were credited as the Four Aces"), huge hits such as "007 (Shanty Town)" and "Israelites", and the winner of the 1968 Festival Song Contest, "Music Like Dirt". By 1967 the only remaining original member was Barry Howard, along with Winston Samuels. Dekker's international success led to overseas tours, but the Aces were not taken along, Samuels refusing to fly, stating "Rastas did not fly on iron birds", and Barry Howard having already decided to emigrate to the United States. Instead they stayed in Jamaica and recorded without Dekker. They had a Jamaican hit in 1970 with "Mademoiselle Ninette", and by 1971 the line-up had again changed, with Barry now rejoined by Carl Howard. A string of hits followed with "Reggae Motion", "Take a Look", "Oh I Miss You", Call Me Number One", "Be My Baby", and "Sad Sad Song", and they had a near hit in the pop charts in 1973 with "Working on it Night and Day". Little more was heard from the group until 1982 when they released "One Way Street".
2. An American singing quartet which was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. The group is well-known for a plethora of hits, including: "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing", " Three Coins in the Fountain", "Stranger in Paradise", "Shangri-La", "Perfidia". All of the group's major hits were first performed by the original four members: Al Alberts (originally Albertini), Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro. Although all were from Chester, Pennsylvania, Alberts and Mahoney actually met in the Navy. They formed a duo, with Alberts singing and Mahoney playing behind him. Later adding Vaccaro on trumpet and Silvestri on drums, the group played in the Philadelphia area. When they could not find a label which would release their record, "(It's No) Sin," Alberts started his own label, Victoria Records. "(It's No) Sin" sold a million copies! DECCA Records soon signed the group, billing them as The Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts. In 1956, Alberts left The Four Aces to try to make it as a soloist, but never made the charts. He was replaced as lead singer by Fred Diodati, another Philadelphia product. Over the years, as the remaining original members left, Diodati chose new singers to replace them. The right to "The Four Aces" name eventually landed in court. In 1975, Diodati was awarded the right to the name and continued to tour under it. The founding members, who again wanted to tour, were allowed to use the name, "The Original Four Aces, Featuring Al Alberts." The latter group retired in 1987. The Four Aces are still touring. (A link to their appearances is listed below.)
3. Cajun fiddler Leo Soileau was the second Cajun musician to record his works. This occurred in the late 1930s. The Four Aces was the name of his second string band (the first had been The Rhythm Boys). Soileau reitred from music in the 1940s with the demise of the string band sound.
Organ Grinders
The Four Aces Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good old organ grinder Pete
He's the latest rhythm king
With his organ grinder's swing
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Dadya, you swing it, so do I
Dadya, I swing it so do you
When he turns that handle down
Music goes around and 'round
Ev'rybody starts to sing
To that organ grinder's swing
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Trala, Ma swings it, so does Pa
Trala, you swing it, so do I
Trala, I swing it so do you
All the children tag along
Just to listen to his song
Monkey dancing on a string
To the organ grinder's swing
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
O-hum, Ma swings it, so does Pa
O-hum, you swing it, so do I
O-hum, I swing it so do you
The Four Aces's song, "Organ Grinder Swing," celebrates the rhythm and melody of an organ grinder and his instrument. The song expresses the excitement and joy that the organ grinder's music brings to the streets. The lyrics speak of the organ grinder named Pete, who brings his latest hit rhythm to the area. The catchy tune of the organ grinder's music is so rhythmic that it makes everyone swing and sing to its melody - even the parents and children. The lyrics say that Pete's music brings people together, as they all follow the beat, and even the monkey dances to its tune.
The repetition of the verse, where the lyrics say, "Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma, Dadya, Ma swings it, so does Pa," highlights the unity and togetherness that the music creates in the community. The song further emphasizes how the music brings joy, happiness, and excitement, as it says, "music goes around and around," with kids following, and everyone singing and swinging to it. The lyrics, "all the children tag along, just to listen to his song," highlight the organ grinder's popularity and the positive impact his music has on society.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's that coming down the street?
Who is that person who is approaching here?
Good old organ grinder Pete
That person is the experienced organ grinder Pete.
He's the latest rhythm king
He is very skilled at producing the latest rhythm.
With his organ grinder's swing
He uses his organ grinder's swing to create his music.
Dadya, Pa swings it, so does Ma
Everyone in the family including father, mother, siblings and I swing to the rhythm of music.
When he turns that handle down
When Pete rotates the handle of his grinder downwards.
Music goes around and 'round
The music starts to play continuously or on an endless loop.
Ev'rybody starts to sing
Everyone around starts singing along to the music.
To that organ grinder's swing
They are singing to the rhythm of Pete's organ grinder's swing.
Trala, Pa swings it, so does Ma
We keep swinging to the rhythm of the music without any stop.
All the children tag along
All the children nearby accompany us.
Just to listen to his song
They are eager to listen to Pete's music.
Monkey dancing on a string
There is also a monkey that dances to the music on a rope.
To the organ grinder's swing
That monkey is also dancing along to the rhythm of Pete's organ grinder's swing.
O-hum, Pa swings it, so does Ma
We keep on enjoying the music and swinging to its rhythm together.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IRVING MILLS, MITCHELL PARISH, WILL HUDSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind