The Lyrics

It was forty years ago today . . . (Well, almost: February 9, 1964) that Ed introduced America to The Beatles. "Mr. Sullivan" is a simple "thank you" to Ed Sullivan for sharing his spotlight with so many wonderful entertainers.

And here's to you, Mr. Sullivan.
We just loved your "rrrrrreally big sheeeew".
(Woo-woo-woo)
Rest ye in peace, Mr. Sullivan,
TV needs a host like you today.
(Hey-hey-hey...Na-Na-Hey!)

We'd like to have a little clue about the show tonight.
We hope you'll have the guy who spins the plates.
Look at all the white French poodles - cycling 'round the stage.
Spotlight on the crowd - A hand for Satchel Paige!

And here's to you, Mr. Sullivan.
It just isn't Sunday without you.
(Woo-Woo-Woo)
Bring on the - Flying Wallendas, and,
Introduce that funny Moms Mabley.
(Hee-Hee-Hee...Tee-Hee-Hee)

Hiding Elvis' pelvis, so the public never knows.
Keep the censors happy, like the sponsors.
Whole lotta shakin' legs and Elvis' derierre.
Though you tried, you couldn't hide it from the kids.

Goo Goo Ga-Joob, Mr. Sullivan.
Beatles love you more than you will know.
(Wo-Wo-Wo)
Girls screamed and fainted, Ed Sullivan.
Billy Graham watched your show that day.
(Yeah-Yeah-Yeah. . . Yeah-Yeah-Yeeeeah!!!)

Sitting 'round the TV, watching CBS tonight.
Sammy Davis Junior waits backstage.
Laugh aloud just like the crowd,
At Marty Allen's hair - After that, it's Rogers and Astaire.

Where have you gone, Topo Gigio?
A nation wonders where you are tonight.
What's that you say - It's the final show?
Eddie gave you one last kiss goodnight.
Just ain't right . . . Just ain't right)

American Family Photo

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User Comments

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Guy - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

David, great parody and very accurate by my estimation. Are you catching Ed Sullivan reruns somewhere? Quite a memory if you are not. Well done.

Steve K. - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

"Topo Gigio" for "Joe Dimaggio", a perfect fit. Also liked the "Goo Goo Ga-Joob".

David Chrenko - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Thanks Guy. The hardest part was not being able to include all the Sullivan guests who also deserved mention (Senor Wences, Ella Fitzgerald, The Supremes . . . ). I'm sure everyone over forty could add of some of their favorites I do have the "Ed Sullivan Presents The Beatles" on DVD, which is marvelous, but as Rick D will tell you I have a very good memory for old rock and roll, TV, and . . . uh, I forget.

Adagio - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Good job, David

Mari D - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Classic!

Claude Prez - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

This was great fun even though it's a tad before my time.

Jack Wilson - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Great job! This was way before my time, but i must say I love The Beatles, and have seen Sullivan reruns! 555!

Jackie Mason - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

To tell ya da troot, oy, I didn't like dis one. But Mike Pacholek liked it.

Stray Pooch - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Saw the buzz on this and had to check it out. Glad I did. This was creative, well-crafted and a great trip down memory lane. Agree with Steve K. on fav lines. 555

David Chrenko - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Thanks everyone. You guys are more than kind.

Robert J. Pagliaro - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Nice job. Was Topo Gigio the first openly gay puppet? (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

David Chrenko - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

For the uninitiated, Topo Gigio was a too, too cute Italian mouse puppet, who Ed Sullivan would kiss goodnight at the end of the show. Strangely, I can't recall him ever kissing his wife Sylvia on network television. But, no Robert, I'm pretty sure Topo Gigio was straight, though I use to wonder about White Fang from the Soupy Sales Show.

Johnny D - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

I watched Ed Sullivan! Great parody, David. 5's

Rick D - February 04, 2004 - Report this comment

Coming up on that big Sullivan 40th anniversary. Do you know where you were?

David Chrenko - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

Yup, Rick. I was nearly ten years old, and my family sat around the TV watching The Beatles together. Kids today don't know what that was like, but back then most of America was watching the Ed Sullivan Show at the same time - and it was all live.

Rick D - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

Yeah, I had to listen to my old man complain about how stupid their hair looked and how he couldn't understand a word. Well, of course not, he didn't shut up! Of course, he was right as usual. the Beatles never went anywhere and Dixieland Jazz became the popular music of the land.

Mari D - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

Hey Dave -- was your TV black and white, too? Must add my two cents. I remember sitting on the bed with my cousin while watching TV that night and jumping up and down on it while the Beatles were performing. My mom (a musician) liked them too and bought "Meet the Beatles" for me shortly after that. We played it when my dad (who had a more typical parental reaction to them) wasn't home. A year and a half later, I saw them on my 12th birthday!

David Chrenko - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

Mari, at the time of The Beatles 1st appearance, the Sullivan Show was broadcast in black & white. I believe it went to color in '65. Yes we had a B&W set until the first Superbowl Game was broadcast. Then my dad plunked down the $350 bucks ('60s money!) and bought a color set. Rick - remembering your Dad, you're right -he would have heard the girls screaming, and figured Al Hirt was on.

sloatead - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

and now we have some rrrrrrrreally big 5's

Jay W - February 05, 2004 - Report this comment

Very smooth all around.

mac195 - February 06, 2004 - Report this comment

I was not old enough to care about Ed Sulivan while he was on, but I always enjoy seeing clips of the show's highlights. Good job.

Angry Write Mail - February 06, 2004 - Report this comment

Ed Sullivan, mumbled when he spoke, he had no neck, half the time he introduced the acts like he had no clue who they were - and probably didn't, he always looked uncomfortable, and he sweated like a pig. But he put on a very entertaining variety show for over twenty years. Go figure. Didja ever notice that if you put a Beatle wig on Sullivan he was the spittin' image of Bill Wyman from the Stones. Hey, and if you put a Beatle wig on Barney Fife, you have Mick Jagger. Put a Beatle wig on an emaciated chicken, and it still looks better than Keith Richard.

Randy White Whale - February 06, 2004 - Report this comment

Didja ever notice that if you put a Beetle wig on Sullivan he was the spittin' image of Jeff Goldblum from "The Fly"? Hey, and if you put a Beetle wig on Barney Fife, you have Tick Chigger. Put a Beetle wig on Keith Richards, and he looks exactly the same as before.

2nz - February 08, 2004 - Report this comment

Props on this whole song, David. Really liked the whole thing.

David Chrenko - February 09, 2004 - Report this comment

Just want to wish all the Beatle fans at Am I Right (particularly Rick "Mr. Beatles" Duncan), a "Happy Fortieth Anniversay of The Beatles First Appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show". Try fitting THAT on a t-shirt.

Rick D - February 09, 2004 - Report this comment

I know that even today, when I hear "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" something of an echo from hearing it when I was 10 kicks in. That song changed my life. People have no idea even when someone says it, of how much they changed popular music, fashion, social conscience, and most important, studio recording techniques and songwriting. Thanks Dave.

Mari D - February 09, 2004 - Report this comment

So what did everyone think of the Beatles tribute at the Grammys? It was kind of eerie to see Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono up there together.

Diva - February 16, 2004 - Report this comment

Well done, David!

Phil Alexander - February 19, 2004 - Report this comment

Missed this first time around - great stuff, David

Troy - April 11, 2004 - Report this comment

Hahahaha, great one, all 5s mate!!! I'm hooked on early live TV shows and I tape the "Best Of Ed Sullivan" shows on Fox Classics on a regular basis. Great choice for a parody. To Robert, yeah everytime Topo was on the Ed Sullivan Show he asks Ed to kiss him goodnight which Ed always complies and I too wondered if Topo was gay as he always gets his jollies and blushes once Ed kisses him, not that there's anything wrong with Topo being gay. Though back in those days there were strict rules with sexuality so the Topo puppet wouldn't have been intended to be a gay puppet. Topo should of asked Ed Sullivan's daughter to kiss him goodnight, if that did happen Topo would probably fly up like a rocket to the top of the studio and fall straight down onto his bed hehehehe.

Troy - April 15, 2004 - Report this comment

After watching another Ed Sullivan Show I found out Topo is definitely not gay, after Ed kisses him goodnight he dreams of some chick mouse he adores called "Rosie".

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