The Big Apple: “Twelve-Thirty"(1968)

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

Recent entries:
• “Never let someone who has done nothing tell you how to do anything” (6/6)
• Entry in progress—BP (6/6)
• Entry in progress—BP (6/6)
• “Never let people who have done nothing tell you how to do anything” (6/6)
• Entry in progress—BP (6/6)
More new entries...

Follow @barrypopik

Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.

Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.

Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.

Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.

This site is edited by Barry Popik.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry from February 26, 2005

“Twelve-Thirty"(1968)

The Mamas & the Papas recorded this minor hit in 1968. It was also sub-titled "Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon."

I can't show all the lyrics here, but it's clear that the songwriter didn't have any great love for New York City:

I used to live in New York City;
Everything there was dark and dirty.
Outside my window was a steeple
With a clock that always said twelve-thirty.

Posted by Barry Popik
Music/Dance/Theatre/Film/Circus • (0) Comments • Saturday, February 26, 2005 • Permalink