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
The Big Draft
The Four Preps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give them a chance to go see the world
Ship them to the open spaces
We can think of a hundred places
Let's send the Platters away today
I'll never smile again (Dow dow dow dow)
Our new record's a bomb (Doot doot doo doo)
They never heard of us (Dow dow dow dow)
Why don't you draft all the other groups?
They're getting older every year they're here
Put 'em on some naval carrier
'Fore they pass that legal barrier
May we suggest one or two?
The Four Aces have been in before
But experience is what you're looking for
The draft is a many-splendored thing
Over land sea or sky we'll be down to say goodbye
As the Aces go rolling along
Well it's hut three four
And it's time to grab some more
Dick and Deedee will serve us all with pride
And where 'ere they go, they will always know
That in spirit we're there at their side
Up early morn it's so? lied
Can't get across to the other si-i-i-i-i-de
Uh-oh uh-oh, uh-oh uh-oh
After you take Dick and Deedee
The Marcels certainly look top-shape
It would be a mighty thrill to see
Those boys shooting field artillery
Singing as they went along
Dip dip dip dip werp a-werp werp
Bom ba bom bom, boom ba boom boom
Boob ba ba boom ba ba boom, heartaches
Heartaches, heartaches
Since I've been drafted, I've got heartaches
Not only that, I'm eating army stew
While I've got heartburn too
Dip dip dip dip werp a-werp werp
Bom ba bom bom, boom ba boom boom
Boob ba ba boom ba ba boom, heartaches
Say man, why do you sing that way?
You're standin' on my foot!
Anchors aweigh my boys
There goes that noise
Meanwhile we were thinkin' maybe
The Highwaymen would be perfect for the Navy
The ocean is deep and the ocean is wide
Gotta get goin'
Got no draft on the other side
Keep on rowin'
Michael, row the boat ashore, hallelujah
Gotta stay outa this mixed-up war, hallelujah
After you take all the other groups
Let's let Dion feel he served us well
Hey hey wo-o-o-o-oah
Hey hey wo-o-o-o-oah
Hey hey wo-o-o-o-oah
Hey... ahhh
Kentucky and Waterloo
Uncle Sam is a-comin' he's a-watchin' you
So stay away keep outa view
Stay away from your draft board too
I'll be? all around
Down that noise
And stay away from Uncle Sam
'Cuz he goes after little boys
We close with just one last request of you
Forget that we are 1-A too
"The Big Draft" by The Four Preps satirizes the idea of the military draft during the Cold War. The song is a satirical take on a conversation between a group of friends who decide to draft other musical groups to serve in the military, rather than themselves. The main message of the song seems to be that the draft is arbitrary and unfair, and it suggests that people with connections and fame can avoid it. The lyrics reveal the cynicism that many people felt during the Vietnam War era, where young men were drafted to serve in a war that they didn't believe in.
The lyrics are humorous and tongue-in-cheek. The Four Preps suggest that other bands should be drafted, such as The Platters and The Four Aces, as well as Dion and The Highwaymen. The song also pokes fun at the military and the idea of serving your country, with lyrics like "Stay away from your draft board too, and stay away from Uncle Sam, 'cause he goes after little boys."
Overall, "The Big Draft" is a satirical look at the draft and the Vietnam War era. The lyrics are witty and amusing, but they also reveal a deep sense of discontent and disillusionment with the political and social climate of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you draft all the other groups?
Why not give other musical groups a chance to join the war?
Give them a chance to go see the world
Musicians should be given an opportunity to tour the world with the military.
Ship them to the open spaces
Let them explore the vast expanse of war zones.
We can think of a hundred places
There are numerous places where musicians can serve in war.
Let's send The Platters away today
The Platters can be the first musical group to be drafted.
I'll never smile again (Dow dow dow dow)
Serving in the war is a serious business and warrants sacrifice.
Our new record's a bomb (Doot doot doo doo)
The success of their new record would not mean anything in war.
They never heard of us (Dow dow dow dow)
The enemy would not know or care about their music.
In South VietNam
The place where some of the drafted musicians might end up serving.
They're getting older every year they're here
Musicians are getting too old to not have served in the war yet.
Put 'em on some naval carrier
Musicians can be used in navy roles and stationed on a naval carrier.
'Fore they pass that legal barrier
Musicians need to be drafted before they surpass the legal age for service.
May we suggest one or two?
Here are some musical groups that may serve well.
The Four Aces have been in before
The Four Aces have experience and could be drafted again.
But experience is what you're looking for
Having experience is necessary in war.
The draft is a many-splendored thing
The draft will give musicians diverse experiences.
Over land sea or sky we'll be down to say goodbye
Regardless of the destination, the musicians will be ready to leave.
As the Aces go rolling along
The Aces are ready to roll and join the war.
Well it's hut three four
The military-like chant encourages taking action and getting moving.
And it's time to grab some more
It's time to draft more musicians.
Dick and Deedee will serve us all with pride
Dick and Deedee will be proud to serve their country.
And where 'ere they go, they will always know
No matter where they go in their service, they'll always remember their support system.
That in spirit we're there at their side
Even if they're far away, the support for their mission will always be present.
Up early morn it's so? lied
It's important to get up early and start the day with readiness.
Can't get across to the other si-i-i-i-i-de
They're going to war and leaving loved ones behind they cannot contact.
Uh-oh uh-oh, uh-oh uh-oh
An onomatopoeic phrase that suggests anxiety is building up.
After you take Dick and Deedee
Dick and Deedee are already drafted, so they can't be used as suggestions anymore.
The Marcels certainly look top-shape
The Marcels look like they could be drafted, they're healthy and strong.
It would be a mighty thrill to see
It would be exciting to see the Marcels in the war.
Those boys shooting field artillery
The Marcels could be trained in firing field artillery in the war.
Singing as they went along
Singing would boost morale during war and they could sing as they move through the battlefield.
Dip dip dip dip werp a-werp werp
A chant to invigorate and unify the troops.
Bom ba bom bom, boom ba boom boom
Military marching-style rhythm to keep the spirits up.
Boob ba ba boom ba ba boom, heartaches
Remembers that the war is also filled with hardship and sadness.
Since I've been drafted, I've got heartaches
Drafting is not only hard on their loved ones but also on themselves.
Not only that, I'm eating army stew
Eating army food is an added hardship for drafted soldiers.
While I've got heartburn too
The emotions in their chest are as heavy as the food.
Say man, why do you sing that way?
Criticism borne of misunderstanding.
You're standin' on my foot!
Physical discomfort leads to emotional outburst.
Anchors aweigh my boys
Anchors aweigh is an encouragement to move onward.
There goes that noise
The noise of war is constant.
Meanwhile we were thinkin' maybe
Thinking ahead of how to use the musicians in the war effort.
The Highwaymen would be perfect for the Navy
The Highwaymen look like they could fit right in serving in the Navy.
The ocean is deep and the ocean is wide
The enormity of the war missions is awe-inspiring.
Gotta get goin'
The troops have no choice but to keep going.
Got no draft on the other side
They cannot escape draft by crossing to the other side of the ocean.
Keep on rowin'
Continued effort is necessary to get through the war.
Michael, row the boat ashore, hallelujah
A spiritual song to uplift the spirits of the troops.
Gotta stay outa this mixed-up war, hallelujah
An acknowledgment of the confusion of the war, and a desire to remain safe.
Let's let Dion feel he served us well
Let's allow musician Dion to believe he contributed to the war effort.
Hey hey wo-o-o-o-oah
A playful exclamation given the seriousness of the topic at hand.
Kentucky and Waterloo
Places of historical significance in war.
Uncle Sam is a-comin' he's a-watchin' you
The government is watching and waiting for eligible people to draft.
So stay away keep outa view
An advice to avoid being conspicuous and being picked for draft.
Stay away from your draft board too
To avoid being drafted, stay away from the draft board.
I'll be? all around
Uncle Sam will keep searching for eligible people to draft.
And stay away from Uncle Sam
Stay away from anyone who'll report for draft.
Cuz he goes after little boys
The government is seen as preying on the young and helpless.
We close with just one last request of you
The song ends with a final call to action.
Forget that we are 1-A too
They, too, are eligible to be drafted and will have to join the war effort sometime.
Contributed by Thomas G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jkdm7653
Terrific impersonations of the other groups!
@robertfishman3742
One of the best gag songs that I’ve ever heard!
@videogeekin
“ No artist today would put in the work and pay their dues to get this talented.”
@brando8675309
My Mother, Carol Ann Rhea, introduced me to this, I am lucky to own it on vinyl , I love it
@tomnanD3
I had this on a 45 when I was about 14.....VERY funny.
@garymichael1950
Ahhh yes. Back when groups also had to be intelligent! Preps were and are great!
@merledoughty5787
Well remembered loved how they took off the other groups great to hear this again.
@lettermen1
Great impersonations!
@Tiberiumfreek
Oh this is brilliant! HHAHAHA!
@musicmandon1
@lettermen1 Glad you thought these impersonations were as clever as I did. guess the Lettermen hadn't started yet, or the Preps would have had a laugh at their expense too. These guys are too funny.