It’s that time of the year again.
We’re celebrating the holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Festivus and all the other assorted December festivities as we come to the close of 2019, while preparing ourselves for the new year.
For many of us, it’s also a special time to remember lost loved ones.
With all the holiday music being played this time of the year, we thought we’d use this time to share a somewhat obscure holiday song written and sang by Johnny Flamingo, aka Melvin Broxton, a dear friend of LOUIE songwriter Richard Berry.
We’re also using this opportunity to share a discovered a previously unreleased photo of Johnny Flamingo taken by our friend Paula Berry-Wiwuga, who actually met Richard via Johnny.
This song is called “Drive Slow,” which was originally released in December 1963 as a 45 single on the Whirlybird Records ‎label.
It’s also a timeless public service announcement well worth sharing – PLEASE don’t drink and drive!
Will you be …
Will you be …
Here with Christmas time ?
Girl, I want you here when Christmas comes..
So we can be together to join the fun.
With all your office parties during the holidays..
You need to remember what I’ll always say..
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
and if you’re going to drink, don’t drive.
Don’t drink.. Oh no.. (drive slow) …
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
And darling, keep yourself alive.
You know I want you here to greet the new year in…
We’ll laugh and dance with all our friends..
Please don’t be in a hospital bed..
With your head in pain or with a broken leg.
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
Baby, take care of yourself.. (don’t drink).
Oh yeah… (drive slow)…
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
And I’ll kiss you when the clock strikes 12.
Yeah… yeah… yeah… yeah..Well, Christmas comes but once a year…
To spread it’s warmth and all it’s cheer…
Don’t forget that I love you so.
And I want to kiss you darling ‘neath the mistletoe.
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
Baby, just take your time… (don’t drink)..
Oh yeah… (drive slow)…
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
Cause the life you save is going to be mine.
One more time… Drive slow… (drive slow)…
Baby, take care of yourself.. (drive slow).
Oh yeah… (drive slow)…
Drive slow… (drive slow)…
Cause I want to see you here next year
Remember what the sign said…
(Drive slow)… Hey hey.. (drive slow)…
Whoa whoa.. (drive slow)…(Melvin Broxton/ BMI)
REFERENCE LINK:
Wikipedia – Johnny Flamingo