Showing posts with label Cab Calloway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cab Calloway. Show all posts

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Bobby Darin's "Rock Island Line" and "Silly Willy"

To-day, I listened to a compilation album of Bobby Darin titled Purely... Bobby Darin.  In the continuing theme of train-sounds-in-songs, I've noticed that in his version of "Rock Island Line," he sings some "ooh"s, ostensibly to mimic the train's whistle.

Also, I think I've found a connection to Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher" in "Silly Willy," which is also included in this collection.  In "Silly Willy" there are the lines:
Willy was a-dreamin' 'bout an automobile
With a pair of diamond headlights and a gold steering wheel
They're not exactly the same, but they do bear some resemblance to lines in "Minnie the Moocher":
He gave her a home built of gold and steel
A diamond car with the platinum wheels
Both mention cars, diamond, and gold.