The Name Game
The Gaylords Lyrics


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The name game. Shirley! Shirley, Shirley.
Bo-ber-ley, bo-na-na fanna.
Fo-fer-ley. fee fi mo-mer-ley, Shirley!

Lincoln! Lincoln, Lincoln. bo-bin-coln,
Bo-na-na fanna, fo-fin-coln.
Fee fi mo-min-coln, Lincoln!
Come on ev'rybody, I say now let's play a game.
I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name.
The first letter of the name,
I treat it like it wasn't there,
But a "B" or an "F" or an "M" will appear;
And then I say "Bo" add a "B" then I say the name.
Then "Bo-na-na fanna" and "fo"
And then I say the name again with an ""f" very plain,
Then "fee fi" and a "mo"
And then I say the name again with an "M" this time.
And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme.

Arnold! Arnold, Arnold bo-bar-nold,
Bo-na-na, fanna fo-far-nold,
Fee fi m-mar-mold. Arnold!

But if the first two letters are ever the same,
Crop them both, then say the name.
Like Bob, Bob, drop the "B's", Bo-ob.
Or Fred, Fred, drop the "F's", Fo-red,
Or Mary, Mary, drop the "M's", Mo-ary.
That's the only rule that is contrary.

And then I say "Bo" add a "B" then I say the name.
Then "Bo-na-na fanna" and "fo"
And then I say the name again with an ""f" very plain,
Then "fee fi" and a "mo"
And then I say the name again with an "M" this time.
And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme.

Say Tony, Tony, bo-bo-ney,
Bo-na-na fanna, fo-fo-ney,
Fee fi mo-mo-ney, Tony!

Let's do Billy!
Billy, Billy, bo-gil-ly, bo-na-na
Fanna, fo-fil-ly,
Fee fi mo-mil-ly, Billy!

Let's do Marsha!
Marsha, Marsha, bo-bar-sha,
Bo-na-na fanna, fo-far-sha,
Fee fi mo-ar-sha, Marsha!

Little trick with Nick!
Nick, Nick, bo-bick, bo-na-na




Fanna fo fick, fee fi mo-mick. Nick!
The name game.

Overall Meaning

"The Name Game" by The Gaylords is a playful and catchy song that revolves around the concept of rhyming names. The lyrics describe the singer's ability to create rhymes out of anyone's name by following a specific pattern. The game begins with taking the first letter of the name and treating it as if it wasn't there. Then, the singer adds "Bo" before saying the name, followed by "bo-na-na fanna fo" and the name again, this time with an "F" sound. The process is repeated with the sounds "Fee fi," "mo," and finally with an "M" sound.


The lyrics also introduce a variation to the game. If the first two letters of the name are the same, they are cropped and the name is simply said. For example, "Bob" becomes "Bo-ob," "Fred" becomes "Fo-red," and "Mary" becomes "Mo-ary." This rule adds an interesting twist and challenges the singer to find creative rhymes.


The overall message of the song is to have fun and show off one's lyrical skills while engaging in the game of rhyming names. It encourages participation and is a lighthearted and entertaining tune that has remained popular over the years.


Line by Line Meaning

The name game.
This is the title of the song and sets the theme for the lyrics.


Shirley! Shirley, Shirley.
The name being used to demonstrate the game and start the rhyme pattern is 'Shirley'.


Bo-ber-ley, bo-na-na fanna.
Using the 'Bo' sound and adding 'ber-ley' to create a rhyme with 'Shirley'.


Fo-fer-ley. fee fi mo-mer-ley, Shirley!
Continuing the rhyme pattern by adding 'fer-ley' and 'mo-mer-ley' to rhyme with 'Shirley'.


Lincoln! Lincoln, Lincoln. bo-bin-coln,
The next name used in the game is 'Lincoln' and the same rhyme pattern is applied.


Bo-na-na fanna, fo-fin-coln.
Creating a rhyme with 'Lincoln' by adding 'na-na' and 'fin-coln'.


Fee fi mo-min-coln, Lincoln!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'min-coln' to 'Lincoln'.


Come on ev'rybody, I say now let's play a game.
Encouraging participation and stating that a game is about to be played.


I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name.
Claiming that the singer can create a rhyming pattern using any name.


The first letter of the name,
Referring to the initial letter of the name being used in the game.


I treat it like it wasn't there,
Ignoring the initial letter and focusing on the sounds that follow.


But a 'B' or an 'F' or an 'M' will appear;
Stating that if the name starts with a 'B', 'F', or 'M', these letters will be incorporated into the rhyme.


And then I say 'Bo' add a 'B' then I say the name.
Using the sound 'Bo' and adding a 'B' before saying the name again.


Then 'Bo-na-na fanna' and 'fo'
Continuing the rhyme pattern by adding 'na-na fanna' and 'fo' to create rhymes.


And then I say the name again with an 'f' very plain,
Repeating the name with the 'f' sound added.


Then 'fee fi' and a 'mo'
Introducing the sounds 'fee', 'fi', and 'mo' in preparation for the next step of the rhyme.


And then I say the name again with an 'M' this time.
Adding the sound 'M' to the name being used in the rhyme.


And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme.
Asserting that the singer can create a rhyme pattern for any name.


Arnold! Arnold, Arnold bo-bar-nold,
Using the name 'Arnold' to demonstrate the rhyme pattern once again.


Bo-na-na, fanna fo-far-nold,
Adding 'na-na', 'fanna', and 'fo' to create rhymes for 'Arnold'.


Fee fi m-mar-mold. Arnold!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'm-mar-mold' to 'Arnold' and repeating the name.


But if the first two letters are ever the same,
Introducing a special rule if the first two letters of a name are identical.


Crop them both, then say the name.
Omitting both identical letters and proceeding to say the name without repetition.


Like Bob, Bob, drop the 'B's', Bo-ob.
Using the name 'Bob' as an example, where the 'B's' are dropped to create the rhyme 'Bo-ob'.


Or Fred, Fred, drop the 'F's', Fo-red,
Using the name 'Fred' as an example, where the 'F's' are dropped to create the rhyme 'Fo-red'.


Or Mary, Mary, drop the 'M's', Mo-ary.
Using the name 'Mary' as an example, where the 'M's' are dropped to create the rhyme 'Mo-ary'.


That's the only rule that is contrary.
Explaining that this specific rule is the only exception to the regular rhyme pattern.


Say Tony, Tony, bo-bo-ney,
Using the name 'Tony' to showcase the rhyme pattern once again.


Bo-na-na fanna, fo-fo-ney,
Adding 'na-na', 'fanna', and 'fo' to create rhymes for 'Tony'.


Fee fi mo-mo-ney, Tony!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'mo-mo-ney' to 'Tony' and repeating the name.


Let's do Billy!
Inviting the listeners to participate and suggesting the name 'Billy' for the game.


Billy, Billy, bo-gil-ly, bo-na-na
Using the name 'Billy' to demonstrate the rhyme pattern once again.


Fanna, fo-fil-ly,
Adding 'na-na', 'fanna', and 'fo' to create rhymes for 'Billy'.


Fee fi mo-mil-ly, Billy!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'mo-mil-ly' to 'Billy' and repeating the name.


Let's do Marsha!
Suggesting the name 'Marsha' for the game and continuing with the rhyme pattern.


Marsha, Marsha, bo-bar-sha,
Using the name 'Marsha' to demonstrate the rhyme pattern once again.


Bo-na-na fanna, fo-far-sha,
Adding 'na-na', 'fanna', and 'fo' to create rhymes for 'Marsha'.


Fee fi mo-ar-sha, Marsha!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'mo-ar-sha' to 'Marsha' and repeating the name.


Little trick with Nick!
Introducing the name 'Nick' and suggesting there's a little trick associated with it.


Nick, Nick, bo-bick, bo-na-na
Using the name 'Nick' to demonstrate another variation of the rhyme pattern.


Fanna fo fick, fee fi mo-mick. Nick!
Continuing the rhyme by adding 'fick', 'fi', 'mo-mick' to 'Nick' and repeating the name.


The name game.
Repeating the title of the song, concluding the lyrics.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lincoln Chase, Shirley Elliston

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@bryanpalmer9660

LOVE this version,it has a supercharged energy to it,top marks to Dean Ford and the band

@Sp33gan

Honestly, the only version of this song that I actually like. A classic case of the cover being superior to the original.

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