Les Brown & His Orch. – Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio (1941) HD
Inspiration Behind Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio:
When Joe DiMaggio made his Major League Baseball debut for the New York Yankees in 1936, fans immediately could tell that a baseball sounded different after making contact with his bat. This jolt of power combined with Joe’s flair that he demonstrated with each swing of a bat made DiMaggio an instant fan favorite. As World War II began to intensify, Les Brown and His Orchestra debuted this song in 1941, serving as a distraction to what was going on outside the United States. It wasn’t until the bombing at Pearl Harbor when MLB began to consider cancelling until this war was over. Ultimately, Dimaggio’s record setting 56 game hitting streak which still stands today took place in the summer of 1941. This is the true inspiration behind Joltin’ Joe.
Biblical Application:
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.[a] 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels[b]; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.[c] His shield bearer went ahead of him, 1 Samuel 17:4-7.
Exegesis of Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio:
[Intro]
Hello Joe, whatta you know?
We need a hit so here I go
Ball one (Yea!)
Ball two (Yea!)
Strike one (Booo!)
Strike two (Kill that umpire!)
A case of Wheaties
The one hit refers to keeping Joe’s hitting streak alive.
[Verse 1: Betty Ronney]
He started baseball’s famous streak
That’s got us all aglow
He’s just a man and not a freak
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio
This streak kept fans on the edge of their seats, hoping it didn’t end while they were in attendance.
[Hook: Les Brown Orchestra]
Joe, Joe DiMaggio
We want you on our side
Opposing pitchers feared Joe.
[Verse 2: Betty Ronney]
He tied the mark at forty-four
July the 1st you know
Since then he’s hit a good twelve more
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio
Every day at the ballpark was buzzing, wondering how many more games this streak will continue.
[Hook: Les Brown Orchestra]
[Verse 3: Betty Ronney]
From coast to coast that’s all you’ll hear
Of Joe the one man show
He’s glorified the horsehide sphere
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio
Joe also had a flair with how he ran and slid safely into second or third for an extra base hit.
[Hook: Les Brown Orchestra]
[Verse 4: Betty Ronney]
He’ll live in baseball’s Hall of Fame
He got there blow by blow
Our kids will tell their kids his name
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio
These lyrics have come true as no player has come close to Joe’s hitting streak.
[Verse 5: Betty Ronney & Les Brown Orchestra]
We dream of Joey with the light brown bat
Joe, Joe DiMaggio
We want you on our side
When a player is this great, every fan wants him on their team.
[Verse 6: Betty Ronney]
And now they speak in whispers low
Of how they stopped our Joe
One night in Cleveland Oh Oh Oh
Goodbye streak DiMaggio
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio
This song ends with a history lesson, where Joe’s hitting streak ended.
Final Thoughts:
As a former baseball coach, the average hitter experiences cold and hot streaks. When filled with confidence, hitting can be easy. However, once players fall into an extended slump, going hitless, just making contact is difficult. Hand to eye coordination, shortening your swing and fouling off tough pitches all play a role in a batter getting on base. While a modern-day player could possibly come close to Joe’s record, most don’t have the discipline and patience to get at least 1 hit in two consecutive months of playing game after game.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 