Novelty records served a special niche in 1950s pop music. They reminded us not to take the world too seriously, and that clever lyrics in stupid songs could sell zillions of copies then be forgotten forever. Eisenhower was in the White House, Elvis was in the Army, it was time to play. Take the case of The Nitwits from Waterbury, Connecticutt. They changed their name to the Playmates, signed with Roulette records in 1958, then rose to the number 4 position on the Billboard Top 100 with a song about fast cars and the funny sounds their horns make. Here’s the song, written by Carl Cachetti and Donald Claps of the Playmates, from December 1958, Beep Beep…
[Very slowly]
Beep beep beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
While riding in my Cadillac
What to my surprise
A little Nash Rambler was following me
About one third my size
The guy musta wanted to pass me up
As he kept on tooting his horn
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn
Beep beep beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
[Slowly]
I pushed my foot down to the floor
To give the guy the shake
But the little Nash Rambler stayed right behind
He still had on his brake
He musta thought his car had more guts
As he kept on tooting his horn (beep beep)
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn
Beep beep beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
[Normal speed]
My car went into passing gear
And we took off with gust (whoosh)
Soon we were going ninety
Musta left him in the dust
When I peeked in the mirror of my car
I couldn't believe my eyes
The little Nash Rambler was right behind
You'd think that guy could fly
Beep beep beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
[Quickly]
Now we were doing a hundred and ten
This certainly was a race
For a Rambler to pass a Caddy
Would be a big disgrace
The guy musta wanted to pass me up
As he kept on tooting his horn (beep beep)
I'll show him that a Cadillac is not a car to scorn
Beep beep beep beep
His horn went beep beep beep
[Very quickly]
Now we're going a hundred twenty
As fast as I can go
The Rambler pulled along side of me
As if we were going slow
The fella rolled down his window
And yelled for me to hear
"Hey buddy how do I get this car outta second gear?"
Old School Single: BEEP BEEP The Playmates (1958)