The Four Preps was a popular … Read Full Bio ↴From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
The Four Preps was a popular music quartet most popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
The group originally consisted of Bruce Belland (born 22 October 1936, Chicago, Illinois), Ed Cobb, Marv Ingram, (originally named "Marvin Inabnett") and Glen Larson (born 1937), who later become one of the most prolific creators and producers in the history of American television.
They had a minor chart hit that year with "Dreamy Eyes" and between 1956 and 1964 reached the top 100 charts with 13 different songs. The following year they appeared with Lindsay Crosby on the top-rated television special, The Edsel Show.
Their biggest hit was "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," which was written by Belland and Larson and reached #2.
For a short period, Don Clarke replaced Marv Ingram while Marv finished college at UCLA, but he rejoined the group in 1960.
In 1960 they also recorded a parody single, "More Money for You and Me," which included single parody verses of several popular songs by The Fleetwoods, The Hollywood Argyles, The Platters, The Four Freshmen, The Kingston Trio and Dion and the Belmonts. The title parody, sung to the tune of "Tom Dooley," went like this:
Hang down the Kingston Trio,
Hang 'em from a tall oak tree;
Eliminate the Kingston Trio;
More money for you and me.
In 1966, David Somerville, formerly of The Diamonds, joined the group replacing Cobb. Belland and Somerville continued occasionally to perform as a duo after the breakup.
Belland continued writing songs for other singers, as well as writing television show scripts, eventually becoming a network executive. Cobb became a record producer and sound engineer. Larson became one of the most influential television producers in history, creating Battlestar Galactica and Knight Rider.
In the 1980s, Belland, Cobb, Somerville, and Jim Pike (formerly of The Lettermen) eventually formed a new "Four Preps" group, and went on to perform. J
Yester, Belland, and Somerville continued performing as a trio, using their last names, doing songs that were associated with The Four Preps, The Diamonds, and The Association.
Belland's daughters, Tracey Bryn Belland and Melissa Brooke Belland, followed in their father's footsteps as singers, forming a group named Voice of the Beehive
26 Miles
The Four Preps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
I'd work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island dream.
Twenty-six miles, so near, yet far.
I'd swim with just some water wings and my guitar.
I can leave the wings but I'll need the guitar
for romance, romance, romance, romance.
Twenty-six miles across the sea
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me,
Santa Catalina, the island of romance,
romance, romance, romance.
Water all around it ev'rywhere,
tropical trees and the salty air,
but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
A tropical heaven out in the ocean covered with trees and girls.
If I have to swim I'd do it forever till I'm gazin' on those island pearls.
Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat,
Any old thing that'll stay afloat.
When we arrive we'll all promote romance, romance, romance
The Four Preps's song "26 Miles" showcases a desire for a distant paradise, Santa Catalina, where the island's reputation as a haven for romantic possibility is the draw. The lyrics reveal a hopefulness and willingness to do any work to reach the destination, whether that be swimming or being floated by the Navy. Despite the long journey and distance, the singer is intent on arriving with his guitar and water wings, anticipating that Santa Catalina will deliver the promise of romance he's heard so much about. The lyrics suggest that Santa Catalina is more than just a physical location but carries an aura of possibilities and dreams.
The song's imagery of "tropical trees and salty air" and "island pearls" all contribute to the romanticized image of Santa Catalina. The repetition of the word "romance" emphasizes its importance to the song's meaning and contributes to the island's mythical quality. The singer's willingness to risk physical challenge, such as swimming for 26 miles or taking a leaky boat, reveals the strong pull that Santa Catalina has over him.
Line by Line Meaning
Twenty-six miles across the sea
The distance that separates the singer from Santa Catalina, an island that is waiting for him.
Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me
Santa Catalina is the singer's dream destination, full of possibilities and adventure.
Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance.
The island is a popular destination for couples in love, and the singer is hoping to find his own romantic adventure there.
Water all around it ev'rywhere, tropical trees and the salty air, but for me the thing that's a-waitin' there's romance.
The island's natural beauty is all around, but for the singer, the most important thing is finding a new romantic relationship.
It seems so distant, twenty-six miles away, restin' in the water serene.
The singer feels like the island is very far away, but it's just across the sea, calmly waiting for him.
I'd work for anyone, even the Navy, who would float me to my island dream.
The singer is so determined to reach Santa Catalina that he's even willing to work for the Navy if they can help him get there.
Twenty-six miles, so near, yet far.
Although the journey is only 26 miles, it seems like a long distance to cover for the singer.
I'd swim with just some water wings and my guitar.
The singer is so passionate about reaching Santa Catalina that he's willing to swim there with just his guitar and some improvised water wings.
I can leave the wings but I'll need the guitar for romance, romance, romance, romance.
The singer's guitar is essential for him to find romance on the island, and he's willing to leave the water wings behind if he has to.
A tropical heaven out in the ocean covered with trees and girls.
The island is described as a paradise surrounded by clear blue water, palm trees, and beautiful women.
If I have to swim I'd do it forever till I'm gazin' on those island pearls.
The singer is so determined to reach Santa Catalina that he's willing to swim there for as long as it takes to see the island's natural beauty.
Forty kilometers in a leaky old boat, any old thing that'll stay afloat.
The singer is willing to take any boat, even one that is not in good condition, to reach Santa Catalina.
When we arrive we'll all promote romance, romance, romance.
Once the singer and his companions arrive on the island, they plan to sell the idea of romance to other visitors, hoping to spread the island's reputation as a haven for love and passion.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRUCE G BELLAND, GLEN LARSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1958 {February 23rd} "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" by The Four Preps peaked at #2 {for 3 weeks} on Billboard's Most-Played Records On Juke Boxes chart, the three records that kept it out of the top spot were "Sugartime" by the McGuire Sisters, then by Elvis' "Don't", and finally "Catch A Falling Star" by Perry Como...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of Billboard's Top 10 on February 23rd,1958:
At #3. "Don't" by Elvis Presley
#4. "Catch A Falling Star" by Perry Como
#5. "Magic Moments" by Perry Como
#6. "Short Shorts" by The Royal Teens
#7. "Witchcraft" by Frank Sinatra
#8. "Get A Job" by The Silhouettes
#9. "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling Love Again" by Jimmie Rodgers
#10. "You Are My Destiny" by Paul Anka
Roger Stacey
What a wonderful, magical song this was to me as a teenager,
hanging out at the local bus station , having a milkshake and listening to the juke box, hoping to get a glance at a pretty girl.
Internet Wonder Builder
Music is by its nature magic, and is capable of "enchanting" for good or bad, the listener. This is "good" magic.
James Harasch
@Internet Wonder Builder What a wonderful way to put it! I completely agree
Lawrence Palacios
The opening of bad times at the el Royale was badass, and to have this Great song play within it adds in even more style.
Maxxsas
That's how I discovered it! I quickly paused and shazam'd!
Christine Cokely
I'm 69 yrs old and still remember all the lyrics to this song. Guess it's because I had two older brothers! Still love it!
Mathieu
nice
Truck Talks
69 hahaha
Morgan Glen
Nice
Eric Gonzales
This song really brings me back to my childhood growing up in Avalon, Catalina Island.