Inspiration Behind Under the Boardwalk:
Arthur Resnick was walking on the Coney Island Boardwalk when he observed several couples on the beach begin to take shelter underneath. These observations from a walk set in motion the song Under the Boardwalk with the idea of out of the sun and out of sight. Arthur worked with Kenny Young to complete the lyrics in 1963, but the recording was delayed by a year following the death of lead singer of the Drifters Rudy Lewis. Johny Moore who rejoined the Drifters in 1963, replaced Lewis as lead singer on Under the Boardwalk.
Biblical Application:
When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head,” Matthew 8:18-20.
Exegesis of Under the Boardwalk:
Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof
And your shoes get so hot, you wish your tired feet were fireproof
Describes what it feels like to take a walk on a hot summer day.
Under the boardwalk (ooh), down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket (ooh) with my baby is where I’ll be
The Boardwalk serves as a place to take shelter from the sun. Taking a nap under the Boardwalk doesn’t lead to heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Meanwhile, you can snuggle with your significant other.
(Under the boardwalk) out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) people walking above
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be making love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
The chorus provides a perspective of what it is like under the Boardwalk. You’re in the shade, watching people above you. The making love line was added, not what Arthur initially observed.
From the park, you hear the happy sound of a carousel (ooh)
Mm, you can almost taste the hot dogs and French fries they sell
A stanza about the sights, sounds and smell of Coney Island,
Under the boardwalk (ooh), down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
A popular place on a hot sunny day.
(Under the boardwalk) out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) people walking above
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be making love
Under the Boardwalk provides shelter, a place to laugh, look and love.
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Oh, under the boardwalk (ooh) down by the sea, yeah
On a blanket (ooh) with my baby is where I’ll be
The smaller and newer boardwalks don’t give you this option.
(Under the boardwalk) out of the sun
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be havin’ some fun
(Under the boardwalk) people walking above
(Under the boardwalk) we’ll be falling in love
Under the boardwalk, boardwalk
Listeners to this classic summer song can relate to the lyrics of this song.
Final Thoughts:
I grew up in New Jersey where my parents took me to Atlantic City, New Jersey before all the casinos were built. My mom and older sisters showed me how to look for and collect seashells, especially after a storm. When I returned decades later with my wife Leanne, the beach was like a ghost town. All those shells laying on the shore went unnoticed as the general public was more interested in the casinos and stores on the Boardwalk. This is a sad reality of modern times. Yet, I still taught my children how to search for hidden shells just as I was showed as a child.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 