The group was composed of three brothers who first performed together professionally in the 1950s on the children's television show All Your Own. Initially performing as The King Three, they appeared on the BBC Television early in their career on Six-Five Special, and by 1957 had been named "top vocal group" in the reader's poll of NME. Their first hit on the UK Singles Chart was their cover of "A White Sport Coat", which hit #6 in 1957. In October 1960, they were again voted "top vocal group" in the NME reader's poll. They had a string of successful singles through 1961, after which time they continued recording but found their popularity waning.
Group leader Denis King later worked in composition for television, film, and musicals; among other things, he wrote the theme music for The Adventures of Black Beauty and Lovejoy.
Denis King (born July 25, 1939, Hornchurch, Essex)
Michael King (b. April 25, 1935, Barking, Essex)
Anthony King (b. January 31, 1937, Barking, Essex)
Singles
Parlophone Records
1957 "Marianne" / "Little By Little"
1957 "A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)" / "Minne Minnehaha!" (UK #6)[4]
1957 "In The Middle Of An Island" / "Rockin' Shoes" (UK #19)[4]
1957 "Wake Up Little Susie" / "Winter Wonderland" (UK #22)[4]
1958 "Put A Light In The Window" / "Miss Otis Regrets" (UK #25)[4]
1958 "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane" / "Six-5 Jive"
1958 "Moonlight and Roses" / "Torero"
1958 "Sitting In A Tree House" / "Father Time"
1959 "Leaning on a Lamp Post" / "Thank Heaven for Little Girls"
1959 "Hop, Skip And Jump" / "Civilization"
1959 "Makin' Love" / "Caribbean"
1960 "Standing on the Corner" / "The Waiter And The Porter And The Upstairs Maid" (UK #4)[4]
1960 "Mais Oui" / "Gotta Feeling" (UK #16)[4]
1960 "Doll House" / "Si Si Si" (UK #21)[4]
1960 "Seventy-Six Trombones" / "I Like Everybody" (UK #19)[4]
1961 "Goodbye Little Darling" / "Tuxedo Junction"
1961 "The Next Train Out Of Town" / "Sabre Dance"
1961 "The Language of Love" / "Go Tell Her For Me"
1962 "King Size Twist" / "Oh! What A Fool I've Been"
1962 "Everybody Back To Our Place/ "Don't Fly Away Flamingo"
1962 "Nicola" / "Way Down The Mountain"
Pye Records
1963 "One Boy Too Late" / "I've Got That Feeling Once Again"
1963 "Anyone Else" / "The Rainbow's End"
Oriole Records
1964 "Real Live Girl" / "Every Time It Rains"
CBS Records
1965 "Mister Sandman" / "I Want To Know"
1966 "Jo Jo" / "Peculiar"
1966 "Remember When" / "Everytime I See You"
Page One Records
1966 "Symphony For Susan" / "My Time"
1967 "My Mammy" / "Some Of These Days"
1967 "My Mother's Eyes" / "I'm Old Fashioned"
Tupperware (EMI)[5]
1967 "There's No Business Like Our Business" EP: There's No Business Like Show Business / "High Society" / "The Tupperware Brigade" / "Good News"
Standing on the Corner
The King Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching all the girls go by
Brother, you don′t know
A nicer occupation
Matter of fact
Neither do I
Than standing on the corner
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls go by
I'm the cat
That got the cream
Haven′t got a girl
But I can dream
Haven't got a girl
But I can wish
So I'll take me
Down to Main street
And that′s where I
Select my imaginary dish
Watching all the girls go by
Giving all the girls the eye
Brother, you must have
A rich imagination
Give it a whirl
Give it a try
Try standing on the corner
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls go by
Oh, I′m standing on the corner
Watching all the girls go by
Go by, go by, go by
Yes, I'm standing on the corner
Watching all the girls go by
What are you standing there for
Brother, you don′t know
A nicer occupation
Matter of fact
Neither do I
Than standing on the corner
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls
Watching all the girls going by
The song "Standing on the Corner" by The King Brothers portrays a nostalgic and lighthearted perspective of a man observing women as they pass by. The repeated phrase "Watching all the girls go by" suggests that the singer finds enjoyment and perhaps even solace in this activity. The lyrics emphasize that this occupation is pleasant for both the singer and the listener, highlighting the innocent joy in appreciating the beauty of women.
The singer acknowledges that he does not currently have a romantic partner, expressing this through the lines "Haven't got a girl but I can dream" and "Haven't got a girl but I can wish." However, he finds satisfaction and excitement in imagining his ideal partner on Main Street, describing it as the place where he "select[s] his imaginary dish." This suggests that while the singer may not have a real relationship, he keeps the hope alive by creating fantasies in his mind.
The song also encourages others, specifically the listener, to join in this playful activity. By inviting the "brother" to give it a try and experience the pleasure of observing women on the street, the singer implies that there is a sense of camaraderie in this shared enjoyment. Additionally, the lyrics imply that using one's imagination can provide a rich and fulfilling experience, highlighting the power of perception and fantasy in finding joy.
Overall, "Standing on the Corner" can be interpreted as a light-hearted and whimsical song that celebrates the simple pleasures of appreciating the beauty of women passing by. It encourages listeners to embrace their imagination and find happiness in the little moments, ultimately suggesting that watching the world go by with a sense of awe and wonder can be a genuinely enjoyable activity.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching all the girls go by
Observing the passing women
Brother, you don't know
My friend, you are unaware
A nicer occupation
A more pleasant activity
Matter of fact
In fact
Neither do I
Nor do I
Than standing on the corner
Than being situated on the street corner
Watching all the girls
Observing all the women
I'm the cat
I am the confident one
That got the cream
Who has achieved success
Haven't got a girl
I do not possess a partner
But I can dream
Yet I can imagine
Haven't got a girl
I do not possess a partner
But I can wish
Yet I can desire
So I'll take me
Thus I will go
Down to Main street
To the bustling avenue
And that's where I
And that is where I
Select my imaginary dish
Choose my hypothetical companion
Giving all the girls the eye
Flirting with all the women
Brother, you must have
My friend, you must possess
A rich imagination
An active and imaginative mind
Give it a whirl
Try it out
Give it a try
Attempt it
Try standing on the corner
Attempt to be situated on the street corner
Watching all the girls
Observing all the women
Oh, I'm standing on the corner
Oh, I am situated on the street corner
Go by, go by, go by
Passing by, passing by, passing by
What are you standing there for
Why are you remaining stationed at that spot
Writer(s): Frank Loesser
Contributed by Adrian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gridball 1960
1960 "Brother, ya can't go to jail for what yer thinking" 2023 actually, oh yes you can.