BEEP, BEEP (not required)

BEEP, BEEP

    A novelty song from 1959. A "novelty song" is a song noted more for its gimmick than for its musical values.
    Usually novelty songs had a novelty hook. (A hook is a part of a song listeners remember most, so it sells the song, like a refrain.) "How Much Is That Doggie In the Window" is an example of a novelty song, with the barking of a dog its hook. The Chipmunks' records had the hook of speeded up voices sounding like chipmunks. The "Witch Doctor" song (also by David Seville) had a similar tape trick to sound like a witch doctor.
    "Beep, Beep" is based on the hook of the silly refrain ("Beep, beep") as well as the change of pace (from very slow to very fast). It also has a surprise ending, since it turns out the Nash Rambler (economy car) is not racing the high-status Cadillac but is just stuck in "second gear."
    Car rivalry has been a part of the road since the beginning of the automobile. But the stakes are higher today in the US when victims of "road rage" can end up dead if the guy in the other car has a gun and angry enough to use it.
    To hear the song, go here.  Lyrics are below.
    You can also see the 45 rpm record changer and the 45 rpm record with the big hole in the middle, unique in the US. That's because RCA Victor patented the record to fit their record changer. Since RCA got the market share first, the other record companies had to design their 45s with the same hole in the middle in order to be playable on the popular RCA changers. Adapters could be bought for about 1 cent each. These were inserted inside the big hole making a smaller hole that allowed the 45 to be played on a regular (small hole) turntable if the buyer did not own a Victor changer.
    Records in the 1950s, when "Beep, Beep" was released went through a changeover from the breakable 78 rpm records (revolving 78 times per minute) to the slower-speed 45 rpm (revolving 45 times per minute), which were unbreakable. These soon replaced the 78s. Early records by Elvis Presley were released in both formats, until the 78s became extinct. The LP record (invented by Columbia in 1948) revolved at 33 1/3 per minute (33 1/3 rpm), allowing for more playing time with lower fidelity (6 songs on each side). This made possible the release of complete Broadway musicals on a single LP (long-play) disk. The first Columbia release was the classic Broadway musical, South Pacific.

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[Very Slow]
While riding in my Cadillac,
What to my surprise.
A little Nash Rambler was following me -
About one third my size.
The guy must've 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! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep. Beep! Beep!
[Slow]
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 must have 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! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep. Beep! Beep!
[Normal]
My car went into passing gear
And we took off with gust.
Soon we were doing ninety -
Must've 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 -
I think that guy could fly.
Beep beep. Beep! Beep! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep.
[Faster]
Now we're doing a hundred and ten -
This certainly was a race.
For a Rambler to pass a Caddy
Would be a big disgrace.
The guy must've 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! Beep beep. Beep! Beep!
His horn went beep beep beep.
[Fastest]
Now we're doing a hundred and twenty -
As fast as I could go.
The Rambler pulled along side of me
As if we were going slow.
The fellow rolled down his window
And yelled for me to hear,
"Hey, Buddy, how can I get this car
Out of second gear?!"
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!