Good Golly Miss Molly
The year is 1958. The point is lyrics in music have been raunchy for a longtime. Don't blame the youth.
Okay. It was a nice idea to not comment on the lyrics of songs, but my purpose is not to shock just for the fun of it
If you are new to The Still Point Project, about once a week I post the lyrics to songs. Many of them are familiar and the tune jumps into your head by just reading the first line. Others will not be familiar to most. I select them for different reasons.
For some of the songs I select it is possible the music is covering over something profound and I believe you will be encouraged. Sometimes, like today’s selection, the music covers over something, let’s say, of lower quality.
So why display the lyrics?
Because music is a touchstone to our past and when we are young we are naive and pliable. This means we easily, without much thought, take in words and ideas that, when exposed for what they are, stand in opposition to what we profess we believe. This results in double mindedness, which messes with our ability to make good decisions.
Lyrics like the one for today, I believe, have affected male-female relationships in unhealthy ways. They tend to approvingly imply that women are playthings for male sexual gratification. Go down this path thinking this is a reasonable opinion and you will eventually discover that it is difficult to maintain loving respectful relationships with those of the opposite sex (both sides are harmed).
My encouragement to you is to sit and struggle with these words. It may be new to you to put thought energy into something that seems so trivial, but remember, this is the culture you and everyone else is swimming in. It affects behavior
Artist: Little Richard, Writers: Robert Alexander Blackwell, John S Marascalco, Album: Little Richard 1958
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. From the early early mornin' till the early early night You can see Miss Molly rockin' at the house of blue lights. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call. Well, now momma, poppa told me: "Son, you better watch your step." If I knew my momma, poppa, have to watch my dad myself. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call. I am going to the corner, gonna buy a diamond ring. Would you pardon me if it's a nineteen carat golden thing. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like a ball. When you're rockin' and a rollin' can't hear your momma call.
Hints: Rockin’ and rollin’ is not referring to dancing and “the house of blue lights” is what you think it is.
Again, if you believe something contrary to what you are reading or listening to, don’t just censor it without a clear explanation first as to why it is harmful. Explain to yourself why this thought or lyric is wrong or even evil, if this is how it hits you. You may find that the exercise strengthens your resolve to actually appreciate good ideas and good music — and be able to pass these ideas on to others in ways that get a hearing. People who just complain about life as it is are usually the ones everyone else avoids.
Finally, don’t forget the power of leaving comments and inviting your friends by sharing these posts. This can build your community, and once you leave a comment, sometime in the future, should someone else comment back, you will receive notification.
I agree that many songs we’ve loved have had less than acceptable lyrics. We are often unaware of how things “slip in” to our psyche and cause adverse behaviors. I think it lends itself to being “wise as serpents and harmless as doves”.
I completely agree Ben. Each generation has produced music that elevates, and music that degrades the heart and mind, as well as some that is simply fun. Discernment in what we hear and see has profound effects on our life. Garbage in, garbage out.