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
Down By The Station
The Four Preps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met a little girl about as cute as she could be
I turned on my charms and told her that I loved her
I said that she would always be the number one for me
She'd always be my number one girl
I said there'd be no number two or three
Down in the malt shop shortly thereafter
I looked for number one and when I didn't see her
I told number two she was the only girl for me
Went to the drug store and nearly lost my life
There I saw my girlfriends, one and two
Standing there together, I knew I was in trouble
But I'm a clever guy I knew what to do
I went on down by the station early in the morning
I was wooing women as cute as they could be
But then I saw another girl lookin kinda pretty
I said I'm through with one and two
I love you number three
I said I love you number three
And here's what she said to me
Just head on down by the station early in the morning
Catch yourself a trolley car that goes into the sea
I want a love that's true sir, not a love like you sir
You weren't true to one and two
You won't be true to me
Down by the station early in the morning
See the little puffer-bellies all in a row
See the station master pull the little handle
Chug, chug, woo, woo, off they go
The Four Preps’ song “Down by the Station” is a catchy tune that tells a humorous story of a man boasting about his love for a girl he met early in the morning by the station, promising he will never have another. However, as he goes through his day and meets new girls, he quickly changes his tune, declaring each new girl as his “number one” and forgetting about the last. Eventually, he meets a third girl who he claims is truly the one for him, only to be told off for his inconstancy. Despite the man’s foolish behavior, the upbeat music and tone of the song make it a fun listen. The lyrics are also full of playful rhymes and wordplay, making it a memorable tune.
The story in the song is relatable to many people who have experienced romantic relationships in their lives. The singer's dishonesty regarding his feelings and lack of commitment are common issues that affect many couples, leading to broken hearts and pain.
Line by Line Meaning
Down by the station early in the morning
The singer was at the train station during the wee hours of the morning
Met a little girl about as cute as she could be
The singer saw and approached a cute girl
I turned on my charms and told her that I loved her
The singer attempted to win over the girl by charming her with words of love
I said that she would always be the number one for me
The artist declared his affection for the girl and assured her that she was his top priority
She'd always be my number one girl
The artist reiterated his commitment to the first girl he met
I said there'd be no number two or three
The singer claimed that he would not have any other romantic interests besides the first girl he met
Down in the malt shop shortly thereafter
The singer left the train station and went to a nearby malt shop
Met another girl about as cute as she could be
The artist saw and approached another cute girl
I looked for number one and when I didn't see her
The artist searched for the first girl he met but didn't find her
I told number two she was the only girl for me
The artist tried to win over the second girl he met by telling her that she was the only one he was interested in
Went to the drug store and nearly lost my life
The singer went to a drug store and had a near-death experience
There I saw my girlfriends, one and two
The artist encountered both the first and second girls he met at the drug store
Standing there together, I knew I was in trouble
The sight of the two girls together made the singer realize that he was in a problematic situation
But I'm a clever guy I knew what to do
The singer considered himself to be intelligent and capable of getting out of a difficult situation
I went on down by the station early in the morning
The singer returned to the train station
I was wooing women as cute as they could be
The artist tried to win over more cute girls
But then I saw another girl lookin kinda pretty
The artist met yet another girl who caught his interest
I said I'm through with one and two
The singer declared that he was no longer interested in the first two girls he met
I love you number three
The singer professed his love for the third girl he met
And here's what she said to me
The third girl responded to the artist's declaration of love
Just head on down by the station early in the morning
The third girl dismissed the artist and told him to leave
Catch yourself a trolley car that goes into the sea
The third girl suggested that the artist take a trolley that goes into the sea as a way out
I want a love that's true sir, not a love like you sir
The third girl expressed her desire for true love, not the kind of insincere love the singer was offering
You weren't true to one and two
The third girl called out the artist's deceptive behavior toward the other two girls he met
You won't be true to me
The third girl concluded that the singer was unlikely to be truthful with her and rejected him
Down by the station early in the morning
The song concludes with a repetition of its opening line
See the little puffer-bellies all in a row
The song ends with a description of the train cars at the station
See the station master pull the little handle
The song describes the station master operating the train
Chug, chug, woo, woo, off they go
The song portrays the sound of the train as it departs from the station
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
robbo comeaux
If you married #3....you have a beautiful wife!
Scharpy1
Well thank you robbo. It is and has been an adventure. 46 years ago I thought it might get dull. HA!!!
Scharpy1
Thanks. No. Made in the USA.
Mark Steiner
Great piece! Brings back memories. If you haven't, please take Mrs. No. 3 on a train rise somewhere!
brent guy
Number 1 is very attractive...then again all of them are.
Sooz
This was one of my favorite groups back in the day..💗
Soundtrack of my youth 🎼 🖤
Stephen Powstinger
The Preps deep and rich harmony is at its best here.
I had this album when it came out. One of the first I bought.
Peter Junk
You deserve a million
for making this gem of a song.
Janet Bentler
As a little girl my beloved uncle introduced me to this sweet song! Thank you for posting! ❤️
SeiiTaiShogun1
Unhappily, they don't make them like this anymore. The story it tells
is rather humourous!