Forming in the wake of the early-'60s success of local favorites the Kingsmen and the Wailers (whose Etiquette label they recorded for), the Sonics combined classic Northwest-area teen band raunch with early English band grit (particularly influenced by the Kinks), relentless rhythmic drive, and unabashed '50s-style blues shouting for a combination that still makes their brand of rock & roll perhaps the raunchiest ever captured on wax.
Lead singer Gerry Roslie was no less than a white Little Richard, whose harrowing soul-screams were startling even to the Northwest teen audience, who liked their music powerful and driving with little regard to commercial subtleties. With hit after hit on the local charts (and influencing every local band that ever took the stage), the band inexplicably was never able to break out nationally, leaving its sound largely undiluted for mass consumption. Breaking up between 1966 and 1968 (after one ill-fated album attempt to water down their style for national attention), the Sonics continue today to be revered by '60s collectors the world over for their unique brand of rock & roll raunch.
In 2007, The Sonics reunited again, this time for the Cavestomp garage rock festival in Brooklyn (November 2-4, 2007). The line up featured original members Gerry Roslie on vocals/keyboards, Larry Parypa on guitar and Rob Lind on tenor sax; with Ricky Lynn Johnson (of The Wailers) on drums and Don Wilhelm (of The Daily Flash) on bass and vocals.
In 2008, The Sonics recorded a live session for Mark Lamarr's BBC Radio 2 show God's Jukebox on March 22. They played their first ever shows in London on Friday March 21 and Sunday March 23.
Since then, they have played the Primavera Festival in Barcelona, followed by Bilbao, then Belgium, Norway, and the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria in the Basque Country.
Their first show in their home region since their last Seattle reunion in 1972 was on Halloween 31 October 2008 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, where they were introduced and joined onstage for a couple numbers by Steven Van Zandt. Kent Morrill (front man of the Wailers) made a surprise appearance to help sing his signature song "Dirty Robber". Bob Bennett was also present to sit in on drums albeit only for a few songs and only while Ricky Lynn Johnson played in unison.
Good Golly Miss Molly
The Sonics Lyrics
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Good Golly Miss Molly, you sure have to ball.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
From the early early mornin' till the early early night
You can see Miss Molly rockin' at the house of blue light.
Good Golly Miss Molly, you sure have to ball.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
For you have to marry Molly just as sure as you can bet.
Good Golly Miss Molly, you sure have to ball.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
Well, I'm gone to the store, I'm gonna buy a diamond ring.
She hugged me and she kissed me made me ting-a-ling-a-ling
Good Golly Miss Molly, you sure have to ball.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball.
Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call
The Sonics's "Good Golly Miss Molly" is a song about a woman named Miss Molly who loves to dance and have a good time. The lyrics suggest that she is particularly happy when she is "rockin' and a rollin'" and can't even hear her mother calling. The song describes her as a wild and carefree spirit who can always be found dancing at the "house of blue light."
The song also has a romantic element, as the singer's father warns him that he will have to marry Miss Molly if he is not careful. Despite this warning, the singer is infatuated with Miss Molly and plans to buy her a diamond ring. The final lines of the song suggest that Miss Molly's love of dancing is so powerful that it can drown out all other sounds, including a mother's voice.
Line by Line Meaning
Good Golly Miss Molly, you sure have to ball.
Wow, Miss Molly, you sure know how to have a good time.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
When you're really getting into the music, you're so focused that you can't even hear your parents calling for you.
From the early early mornin' till the early early night
Miss Molly is partying from the morning until the night.
You can see Miss Molly rockin' at the house of blue light.
Miss Molly loves to dance and can often be found at the House of Blue Light, a popular club where people go to dance to rock and roll music.
Momma, pappa told me - Son, you better watch your step.
The artist's parents warned him to be careful and make good choices in life.
For you have to marry Molly just as sure as you can bet.
The singer's parents are implying that if he keeps spending time with Miss Molly, he will end up marrying her.
Well, I'm gone to the store, I'm gonna buy a diamond ring.
The singer is going to buy a diamond ring, likely as an engagement ring for Miss Molly.
She hugged me and she kissed me made me ting-a-ling-a-ling
Miss Molly's affection makes the artist feel excited and full of happy emotions.
Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball.
The artist is reiterating how much fun Miss Molly likes to have and how much he enjoys being around her.
When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
Once again, the artist is emphasizing how engrossed Miss Molly gets in the music and dancing, to the extent that she can't hear anything else around her.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John S. Marascalco, Robert Alexander Blackwell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind