The group took off after being signed to Capitol Records in 1952 at the insistence of high profile fan, Stan Kenton. They remained popular throughout the 50s and early 60s, releasing a wide array of successful albums, movie and television appearances and performing countless sold-out concerts. The band eventually lost mainstream attention with the emergence of the British pop bands of the 1960s, even though they managed to stay together even after the retirement of final original member Bob Flanigan in 1992.
As of 2001, the Freshmen have been composed of Bob Ferreira, Brian Eichenberger, Curtis Calderon, and Vince Johnson. Although the new lineup of the Four Freshmen have continued the legendary vocal tradition of the original band and perform many of the same standards, the current sound has more of a lounge sound rather than focusing primarily upon harmonies. This modernized sound has proven quite successful, as the group won Down Beat magazine's reader's poll award for Vocal Group of the Year in 2000, proving the quartet's prominence in the jazz world today.
Girl Talk
The Four Freshmen Lyrics
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They chew the fat about their tresses and the neighbors' fight
Inconsequential things that men don't really care to know
Become essential things that women find so apropos
But that's a dame
They're all the same
It's just a game
They all me-ouw about the ups and downs of all their friends
The who, the how, the why, they dish the dirt, it never ends
The weaker sex, the speaker sex, we mortal males behold
But though we joke, we wouldn't trade you for a ton of gold
So baby stay, and gab away
But hear me say
That after girl talk
Talk to me
But that's a dame
They're all the same
It's just a game
They call it girl talk, girl talk
So baby stay, and gab away
But hear me say
That after girl talk
Talk to me
The Four Freshmen's "Girl Talk" is a lively and upbeat song that delves into the social dynamics between men and women. The song begins by describing how women enjoy chatting about trivial things, such as the dresses they will wear and the latest gossip in their neighborhood. These topics may seem unimportant to men, but for women, they are significant and can bring them closer together.
The lyrics suggest that this feminine bonding ritual is something that is innate to women and that men cannot understand. The chorus repeats the phrase "girl talk" and notes that it is just a game that women play. The men acknowledge that they may not comprehend the importance of this talk, but they seem to accept it as a part of women's culture.
The song concludes with an invitation for women to continue their girl talk, but with the added suggestion that they should also talk to their partners afterward. The lyrics frame girl talk as a way for women to bond with each other, but also suggest that men are not excluded entirely from these conversations. Overall, the song captures the playful and somewhat romantic nature of girl talk between women and the importance of sharing it with the people they love.
Line by Line Meaning
They like to chat about the dresses they will wear tonight
Women enjoy discussing the outfits they plan to wear for the evening
They chew the fat about their tresses and the neighbors' fight
Women gossip about their hair and trivial neighborhood drama
Inconsequential things that men don't really care to know
Men are not interested in discussing unimportant details
Become essential things that women find so apropos
These details become significant and meaningful for women
But that's a dame
That's just how women are
They're all the same
Women tend to have common interests and conversation topics
It's just a game
This is all in good fun
They call it girl talk, girl talk
This type of conversation is known as 'girl talk'
They all me-ouw about the ups and downs of all their friends
Women share both positive and negative news about their acquaintances
The who, the how, the why, they dish the dirt, it never ends
They share details about people's identities, actions, and motives, and the conversation seems never-ending
The weaker sex, the speaker sex, we mortal males behold
Men acknowledge that women are often perceived as weaker and more talkative
But though we joke, we wouldn't trade you for a ton of gold
Despite teasing, men value women and would not trade them for anything
So baby stay, and gab away
Keep talking and don't be shy
But hear me say
Listen to what I am about to say
That after girl talk
Once you're done talking among yourselves
Talk to me
Speak with me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bobby Troup, Neal Hefti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind