The Ames Brothers got their beginning in Malden, where all four were born. The act consisted of Joe (born 3 May 1921), Gene (born 13 February 1923), Vic (born 20 May 1925 - died 23 January 1978) and Ed (born 9 July 1927).
Born into a non-professional but musical family, the boys were brought up on classical and operatic music. Their parents, David and Sarah Urick, were Russian Jewish immigrants from the Ukraine who read Shakespeare and semi-classics to their nine children from the time they were old enough to listen.
The brothers formed a quartet with a cousin Lennie, and had been touring United States Army and Navy bases entertaining the troops and were offered a job at the Foxs and Hounds nightclub, one of the fanciest clubs in Boston. This one week engagement turned into several months when the word got around of their appearance. At the time, they were going by the name of the Amory Brothers, a name taken from Vic's middle name and they were becoming quite popular in the area. It was at this time that Joe decided to rejoin the group. He said they were just having too much fun together for him to miss out. Taking their act to New York they got a job with bandleader Art Mooney. One day while at Leeds Publishing Company in search of a song called "Should I" that their mother had asked them to sing, Milt Gabler of Decca Records heard them singing it and had them cut a few sides for Decca Records just before the ban which started in January, 1948.
A year later when the ban was lifted, the Ames Brothers were the first artists to record for Coral Records. The name Amory was shortened to Ames. They were swept into national top billing with their first hit record, "Rag Mop," in January, 1950. Doing radio shows for free at times just for the experience, they later became regulars on such shows as The Arthur Godfrey Hour. One of the first acts to appear on the original Ed Sullivan Show when it was known as Toast of the Town, they made their debut with him when the show was telecast live from Wanamaker's Department Store.
Soon, they were the top paid group in nightclubs and supperclubs everywhere and their popularity on television was nationwide. In 1956 they starred in their own show, The Ames Brothers Show, which was seen on Friday nights. It was the first syndicated television show to be shown in foreign countries.
Over their fifteen year career the prolific Brothers notched up 50 U.S. chart entries, 21 of them on the Coral label before signing with RCA Victor. The group disbanded in the 1960s but Ed Ames went on with a successful singing and acting career, including playing Daniel Boone's sidekick, Mingo, on the successful Daniel Boone television series (1964-1970).
They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.
The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane
The Ames Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Has hit the town like a bomb
The back-fence gossip ain't been this good
Since Mabel ran off with Tom
Our town was peaceful and quiet
Before she came on the scene
The lady has started a riot
Disturbing the suburban routine
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Has the town in a whirl
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Me-oh, my-oh, what a girl
You should see how she carries on
With her admirers galore
She must be giving them quite a thrill
The way they flock to her door
She throws those come-hither glances
At every Tom, Dick, and Joe
When offered some liquid refreshment
The lady never never says "no"
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Has the town in a whirl
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Me-oh, my-oh, what a girl
The things they're trying to pin on her
Won't hold much water, I'm sure
Beneath the powder and fancy lace
There beats a heart sweet and pure
She just needs someone to change her
And she'll be nice as can be
If you're in the neighborhood, stranger
You're welcome to drop in and see
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
So delightful to hold
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
So delectable
Quite respectable
And she's only nine days old
"The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" is a song by The Ames Brothers about a woman who has stirred up quite a commotion in her town. Before her arrival, the town was peaceful and quiet. But since the lady came on the scene, she has started a riot, disturbing the suburban routine. The song implies that she is a flirt, throwing "come-hither glances" at anyone who catches her eye and never saying "no" to an offer of a drink. The town is in a whirl, with many men flocking to her door to try their luck. However, the song suggests that there is more to the lady than meets the eye. Despite the scandalous rumors that are circulating about her, the song suggests that she has a heart "sweet and pure" and simply needs someone to change her.
The song is a commentary on the way gossip and scandal can disrupt a community. It also touches on the themes of first impressions and the fact that people are often more complex than they initially appear. The lyrics suggest that the lady's behavior may not be as scandalous as people think and that, with a little understanding and kindness, she could be a valuable member of the community. Overall, the song is a lighthearted and catchy tune that encourages listeners not to judge others based on rumors or first impressions.
Line by Line Meaning
The naughty lady of Shady Lane
Refers to a woman who is causing a commotion in the quiet town of Shady Lane
Has hit the town like a bomb
Her arrival has caused a stir like an explosive event
The back-fence gossip ain't been this good
People are enjoying the rumors and stories being spread about her
Since Mabel ran off with Tom
The last time the town had such juicy gossip was when Mabel left with Tom
Our town was peaceful and quiet
Before she arrived, the town was tranquil and calm
Before she came on the scene
Prior to her arrival in Shady Lane
The lady has started a riot
Her presence has disrupted the usual routine and order of the town
Disturbing the suburban routine
Upsetting the regular, typical way of life in the town
Has the town in a whirl
Causing excitement, confusion and chaos in the town
Me-oh, my-oh, what a girl
Expressing surprise and admiration for the woman's behavior
You should see how she carries on
Observing how she acts and interacts with others
With her admirers galore
Having many people interested in her and pursuing her
She must be giving them quite a thrill
Suggesting that the woman is providing some kind of excitement or pleasure to her admirers
The way they flock to her door
Describing how people are constantly visiting her
She throws those come-hither glances
Making flirtatious gestures or expressions to attract attention
At every Tom, Dick, and Joe
Referring to her interest in every man who approaches her
When offered some liquid refreshment
When someone offers her a drink
The lady never never says "no"
She always accepts the offer of a drink
The things they're trying to pin on her
Referring to the rumors or accusations that are being made against her
Won't hold much water, I'm sure
Implying that the rumors or accusations are unlikely to be true
Beneath the powder and fancy lace
Suggesting that there is more to the woman than her appearance
There beats a heart sweet and pure
Asserting that she has a kind and sincere nature
She just needs someone to change her
Suggesting that she needs someone to help her improve her behavior
And she'll be nice as can be
Once she is helped and guided to behave better, she will be very pleasant
If you're in the neighborhood, stranger
If you happen to be nearby or visiting
You're welcome to drop in and see
You are invited to visit her
So delightful to hold
She is a joy to be with
So delectable
She is very appealing or attractive
Quite respectable
She has a good reputation or is worthy of respect
And she's only nine days old
Falsely stating that she is young and innocent when she is actually an adult woman who is causing trouble in the town
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roy C. Bennett, Sid Tepper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mr.StewartTerry
My mother is 90 years old and in a Nursing Home. She remembers things long ago. But, not so good on recent things. She asked if I knew this song...
I found it here and she sang along. ❤
@rondellthreadgate8092
I was born in 1949, This is one of the first songs I can remember from my childhood , loved the harmonies 💞💞💞💞💞
@Jerry-gu7yp
How are you doing Rondell?
@ronlawray1563
Born in 1940 and lying in bed today, Feb. 28...
For the FIRST TIME since this song came out, probably around 1952,
this song title popped into my head....never before...
I was saying Naughty Lady of Spain when l was thinking of Eddie Fisher's Lady of Spain.....l went to U tube and typed in Eddie Fisher Naughty Lady, and this popped up, so now l found 2 songs long buried in my mind to hear again.
U tube is a miracle!
@askovarjorinne9074
So sweet little baby thank´s to memories!!! 👉👉🎙🎙🎶🎶🥰🥰
@janaklotzkin5741
My mother told me to listen to this song as my wife and I have a baby girl due any day. I couldn’t believe what my mom was telling isn’t to listen to until the last line. Now the song is stuck in our heads!!
@patrickryan1515
This is as 'naughty' as good pop music should be.
@nicholasbraco4601
I don't know how I stumbled on this wonderful song in 1989 when my first daughter was born but I used to hold her and sing and dance around the house to it for months. A sweet and precious memory!
@barbiemakris8057
Rest in peace, Ed Ames ❤ reunited with your Brothers 🙏 🎉😢
@allenmurray7893
I can't believe there is one dislike for this song. It was great when new and it is still great.