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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Clarence Garlow
Author: Clarence Garlow/Leon René
Label: Flair
Year: 1953
B-side of Crawfishin' (see there). Route 90 is a highway across the southern USA. Runs from New Orleans over Houma, Lafayette and Crowley through Texas to California. Major stretches delayed when it became a 4-lane. In south Louisiana the original stretch was re-numbered 182.
Covers:
Chuck Berry [n°1 R&B as Sweet Little Sixteen; got royalties for Surfin' USA, lyrics included; Chuck's intro copied Duane Eddy's Movin' n' Groovin' ('57)]
Jerry Lee Lewis [idem]
Beatles [idem, Live in Hamburg]
Beach Boys [melody in Surfin' USA; later issues showed a writing credit C. Berry/B. Wilson]
Johnny Hallyday [as Douces filles de seize ans]
Animals [as Sweet Little Sixteen]
Dick Rivers [as T'as seize ans demain]
Shakin' Stevens [as Sweet Little Sixteen]
Leif Garrett [hit GER & CH as Surfin USA]
Aaron Carter [hit GER & CH as Surfin USA]
Kyle Esplin [as Sweet Little Sixteen]
In fact the Sweet Little Sixteen & Surfin' USA melody has an even older origin: listen to the Hackberry Hop ('35) by Leo Soileau & His Three Aces, covered by cajun fiddler Harry Choates (Hackberry is a place on the old Route 90). One year before Soileau the Frères Breaux recorded the tune as T'as volé mon chapeau and another two months earlier husband and wife Joseph Falcon & Cleoma Breaux used the same melody in Ils la volet mon trancas (Bluebird - '34). Roll On Daddy Roll On as by the Carolina Tar Heels (or The Pine Mountain Boys depending for what label) used a similar melody and came out in '31.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)