Story Behind The Song
Every songwriter has a tune about their hometown, and this is ours. The song describes Post-WWII life in the coastal towns of the San Francisco peninsula from the 50's through the 60's. It's told from the perspective of someone who left the area and now looks back on it with a great deal of nostalgia, especially with regard to the coastal bars and their old-style atmosphere and decor.
Song Description
Tuck 'N Roll Naugahyde Booth is an R&B song that looks back on life along the California coast in the 50's and 60's, reflecting on the stories that played out there in the old beachfront bars - with their red upholstered booths. The track features brilliant vocals and keyboards by Lee Parvin, lead guitar from Mike Tyler, rhythm guitar by Bill Hampton, Bass by Paul Olguin, Drums by Jon Uhland, and spectacular harmonies by Nancy Hall.
| Song Length |
6:26 |
Genre |
R & B - Classic, Blues - Gospel |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Poignant |
Subject |
Region, Age, Aging |
| Similar Artists |
Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
1950 - 1959 |
| |
Lyrics
TUCK 'N ROLL NAUGAHYDE BOOTH
Parvin & Patterson © 2016
South of San Francisco
They built towns along the coast
Turning artichoke fields into housing tracts
Where the GI's fought their ghosts
And the terms of the coming baby boom
Were settled in watering holes
As the haunted searched for solace
And made way for the inbound souls
Oh the comedy and the tragedy
The pipe dreams and the truth
Of post-war shouts and whispers
From a tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth
A tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth...
Now a second generation
Left its footprints in the sand
And of the flower children's radiance
Hers was highest in demand
In our town she was the closest thing
We had to a movie star
But now time has her back against the wall
Of that same old waterfront bar
Oh the memory and the reverie
Of her California youth
Can be seen replaying nightly
In a tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth
A tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth...
Well I never stuck around to see
The chronicle unfold
My journey led me overseas
In search of light and gold
So I can't say I belong there now
That die is long since cast
And on my shoulder I feel
A touch of grace at last
Oh the history, the mystery
I'm just another sleuth
Sifting through the clues they left
In a tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth
A tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth...
A tuck 'n roll naugahyde booth...