Rockaway Beach (40th Anniversary Tracking Mix)
Inspiration Behind Rockaway Beach:
Dee Dee Ramone whose real name is Doug Colvin grew up visiting Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York. Dee Dee recalls taking a bus or hitchhiking there every summer as a teenager. As the bassist for the Ramones, Dee Dee wrote Rockaway Beach which went on to become the bands highest ranking song on the Billboard Charts.
Biblical Application:
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish, John 21:4-6.
Exegesis of Rockaway Beach:
[Intro]
One, two, three, four
Making sure the band is on the same page as they begin.
[Verse 1]
Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground, the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the Disco on the radio
Recollections from a teenage going to the beach. The beach is like a mall in the summer, where teens like to hang out. The places where Dee Dee went when he was young.
[Chorus]
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Not much of a creative chorus, simply repetitive with a desire to go to the beach and the cheapest way to arrive.
[Bridge]
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Anyone can get there if you try hard enough.
[Verse 2]
Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Up on the roof, out on the street
Down in the playground, the hot concrete
Bus ride is too slow
They blast out the Disco on the radio
Using poetry and a catchy tune to celebrate going to this beach. Describing the conditions you should expect once you arrive. Going on the bus isn’t cool but when you hitch a ride the disco is blasting on the radio.
[Chorus]
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
The preferred way of travel to Rockaway Beach.
[Chorus]
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
Rock, rock, Rockaway Beach
We can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach
Ending with a repetitive chorus as there is no mention of actually going in the water.
Final Thoughts:
Rockaway Beach is a classic example of a band focusing on a beat and sound rather than the lyrics. Shorter songs can get away with this if a tune is catchy. On the other hand, sometimes record labels want a new album every year or two so there will also be songs that lack inspiration or are simply added at the last minute. My favorite beach songs paint a vivid picture that communicate lasting memories of one’s past.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 