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Commentary San Diego needs its own song By David Moye December 12, 2005 San Diego--Although San Diego has almost everything as San Francisco (including San Franciscans), it doesn’t have a big hit song associated with the city. San Francisco has “San Franciscan Nights” by the Animals; “San Francisco” by Scott McKenzie and, of course, Tony Bennett’s biggest hit, “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.” There’s no San Diego song that has had that impact except maybe “Balboa Park” by Bruce Springsteen, which is a depressing song about illegal immigrants forced to become gay for pay—not exactly a fun song to hum. San Diego used to be America’s Finest City but the finest song this city can lay claim to is “Surfin’ USA”—which name checks Del Mar and La Jolla.
It’s not a classic like “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire,” but Torme wrote it in 1949 to honor of the Golden State’s 100th anniversary. It features a mambo beat that would please former Del Mar resident Desi Arnaz and contains lyrics like ``Picture two Russian dignitaries/ On Vacation from their land/ If they want to stay in the style they’re accustomed/ which they say is very grand...” ``Do they go to Marseille, or Arugala Bay or some far archipelago?…” ``Nah, They go to San Diego…'' Then comes the socko chorus: ``Dandy Sandy San Diego/ Where the sweet perfume of the waterfront fills the air.'' But, wait, there’s more. The second verse goes, ``When those widows you hear of/ With lots of dough/ Realize it’s getting late/ Go to enjoy one final fling/ With some handsome mate.” ``Do they journey to France for some dull romance with some square from Tierra del Fuego? Nahhh, They go to San Diego…” ``Handy, Handy, San Diego/ There are four marines for each widowed gal in that land.'' Now you may or may not like those trite rhymes but you have to admit Mel was feeling it when he reached for that rhyming dictionary. He was genuinely trying to describe the city unlike other songwriters who prefer to scribble bland recitations of local sights on par with “When we went to the Zoo/ I knew I was for you/ We went to Sea World/ and you said you’d be my girl” Sadly, not one of San Diego’s biggest bands—Switchfoot, Jewel, or Blink-182 (or even Iron Butterfly) have stepped up to the plate to rerecord Torme’s sterling lyrics. So why don’t YOU consider it? Think about it. Your cruddy little garage band (with the drummer who only shows up for gigs) could garner worldwide stardom—or free drinks in bars—by recording “They Go To San Diego.” At least think about it. -------------------- David Moye is a fifth generation resident of San Diego county and has the same birthday as Reggie Bush--but none of the athletic ability. Suggested Vyuz reading... Four minutes and fifty-five seconds with Kristen Bell | By David Moye Steve York, UCSD pornographer, chooses law over porn | By Larry Knowles The bare facts about Brazilian waxing | By Romina Cleary Taking inflight magazines improves airline safety | By Rob Potochnik A serial networker walks among us | By April Labine-Katko |
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