A Brief History of Jacksonville Music

[Charles Hunter]

I heard a story that Ray Charles ended up playing in Seattle, Washington, because he asked a friend "What's the farthest place from here (Jacksonville)."  Might be apocryphal, though.

[stjr]

Why can't one of our talented citizens (or even ex-citizens) write a hit song longing about Jacksonville instead of "Sweet Home" Alabama, "Georgia" on My Mind, or Saaaan Fraaaancisco?! 

[jandar]

Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue talks about Jax Beach in a few lines.

Skynrd's Gimme Three Steps:
"I was cutting a rug at a place called the Jug" Right off 17/post st. Pulled my drunk uncle from there a few times.

69 Boyz: Deville
Talks about Gateway and other spots.

[Ocklawaha]

Why can't one of our talented citizens (or even ex-citizens) write a hit song longing about Jacksonville instead of "Sweet Home" Alabama, "Georgia" on My Mind, or Saaaan Fraaaancisco?! 

What the hell stjr? What rhymes with Jacksonville? It's like trying to make a rhyme with the word "orange", it might be possible, but does it make sense?

I'm all for FREEBIRD being the song of the City. Who says the song must mention us by name?

OCKLAWAHA

[blizz01]

Don't forget Skynrd's "Brickyard Road" (a Clay County thing).  Oh yeah, Evergreen Terrace actually has a little ditty titled "To The First Baptist Church Of Jacksonville" - can't hit much closer to home than that. 

[Ernest Street]

Since we are going local scene, don't forget the "Ballad of Curtis Lowe"...The store is still on the corner of Plymouth and Lake Shore Drive. Judy Van Zandt said that Ronnie used to mish mash facts intentionally, but had a specific instance or location in mind when he wrote a song.
Curtis Lowe was fictional, but based on all the old bluesman that Young Ronnie encountered in the late 60's-early 70's on the west side of Jacksonville.

"Well I used to wake the mornin' - before the rooster crowed - searchin' for soda bottles to get myself some dough
brought em down to the corner - down to the country store - cash em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Lowe
Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair - when he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care
he used to own an old Dobro - used to play across his knee - I'd give old Curt my money he'd play all day for me"

CHORUS:

"Play me a song Curtis Lowe, Curtis Lowe...well I got your drinkin money..tune up your Dobro
people said he was useless - them people all were fools...cuz Curtis Lowe was the finest picker to ever play the blues"

[jandar]

There is a lot of history in a lot of Jacksonville artists songs.

Most of it is hidden in verse and rhyme.

[SunKing]

you missed Gram Parsons, he was from Waycross, went to Bolles and hung out in Mandarin.  Allman Bros. first concert under that name and with Derek Trucks was in Willowbranch Park.  Mae Axton wrote Heartbreak Hotel, Joy to the World among others and birthed Hoyt.  Hoyt Axton grew up here and went to Lee before burning down a paintstore and taking off.

I believe "a place called the Jug" is on Beaver Street.

[Dog Walker]

How in the world could we have forgotten Derek Trucks?!  He's a guitar god!

In the lobby of the downtown library there is a model of a St. John's River steamboat.  Next to it is a poster of a song about taking that steamboat to Jacksonville to visit my sweetheart there.  So there IS a song about Jacksonville,....circa 1880!

[stjr]

There is this mention, too, by the Charlie Daniels Band in "The South's Gonna Do It Again ":

Well, the train to Grinder's Switch is runnin' right on time
And them Tucker Boys are cookin' down in Caroline
People down in Florida can't be still
When ol' Lynyrd Skynrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People down in Georgia come from near and far
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar

Chorus:
So gather 'round, gather 'round chillun'
Get down, well just get down chillun'
Get loud, well you can be loud and be proud
Well you can be proud, hear now
Be proud you're a rebel
'Cause the South's gonna do it again and again

Elvin Bishop sittin' on a bale of hay
He ain't good lookin', but he sure can play
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and C.D.B

Chorus

[stjr]

I did a search on a song lyrics site ( http://search.stlyrics.com/cgi-bin/stseek.cgi?q=jacksonville&Submit=Search ) for "Jacksonville" and the only other two songs it came back, are below.  What's really missing, more than a reference to Jax, is a full blown ode to Jax.

Johnny Cash - "I've Been Everywhere Lyrics" (of course, when you see all the places mentioned, I don't think we should feel too special  ):

I was toting my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load
If your goin' to Winnemucca, Mack with me you can ride
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, "Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Reno
Chicago
Fargo
Minnesota
Buffalo
Toronto
Winslow
Sarasota
Wichita
Tulsa
Ottawa
Oklahoma
Tampa
Panama
Mattawa
LaPaloma
Bangor
Baltimore
Salvador
Amarillo
Tocapillo
Barranquilla
And Padilla

I'm a Killer
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Boston
Charleston
Dayton
Louisiana
Washington
Houston
Kingston
Texarkana
Monterey
Ferriday
Santa Fe
Tallapoosa
Glen Rock
Black Rock
Little Rock
Oskaloosa
Tennessee
Tinnesay
Chicopee
Spirit Lake
Grand Lake
Devil's Lake
Crater Lake

For Pete's Sake
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Louisville
Nashville
Knoxville
Ombabika
Schefferville
Jacksonville
Waterville
Costa Rica
Pittsfield
Springfield
Bakersfield
Shreveport
Hackensack
Cadillac
Fond du Lac
Davenport
Idaho
Jellico
Argentina
Diamantina
Pasadena
Catalina

See What I Mean
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Pittsburgh
Parkersburg
Gravelbourg
Colorado
Ellensburg
Rexburg
Vicksburg
Eldorado
Larimore
Atmore
Haverstraw
Chatanika
Chaska
Nebraska
Alaska
Opelika
Baraboo
Waterloo
Kalamazoo
Kansas City
Sioux City
Cedar City
Dodge City

What A Pity
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been everywhere

And, this one, to Ock's sure delight about a train going through Jacksonville!

Quad City DJ's - "(The Train-Part II) Bass Remix Lyrics"

Woo-woo, Yeah Yeah, Woo-woo, It's about that time
Woo-woo, You better pack your bags cause this cd about to ride out now

Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo, Yeah baby
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo, Come on now
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo, One time
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo, Come on now
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo
Come on ride the train, Woo-woo, And ride it, Woo-woo, Here we go now!

[Verse 1:]
Quad City Train comin down the street (Woo-woo, Yeah Yeah)
Stereo loud got you bumpin to the beat (Woo-woo, Come on now)
So put on your pumps and your daisy dukes (Woo-woo)
Pick up the phone and go gather your whole crew (Woo-woo)
Like Renee (Uh!), Monique (Uh!), Tina, Michelle (Woo-woo)
And them big booty girls with the weave on the tail (Woo-woo, Yeah baby)
Come on, get ready, cause we callin your name (Woo-woo)
Pack your bag and don't you miss that Quad City train (Woo-woo)

[Bridge 1:]
Quad City DJ, Come on now, Quad City DJ, One time
Quad City, Qu-Qu-Quad City, Qu-Quad City DJ, Yeah one time (Woo-woo)
Quad City DJ, Come on now, Woo-woo, Quad City DJ, One time, Woo-woo
Quad City, Qu-Qu-, Woo-woo, Quad City, Qu-Quad City DJ, Woo-woo
Yeah, baby!

[Verse 2:]
Way deep down south, yo we play this game
It's them Quad City DJ's and yo, we call it the train
So, if you wanna ride the thing
Just come on down the train
We goin around
Ooh lord, just jump onboard, baby
So, get your next of kin, Come on!, your sister, and your friend, Uh!
Pack up that Choo-Choo!, ride on this Choo-Choo
And boo, you need to stop thinking and come on with me
I wanna take you home with me to be alone with me
And I can see you wanna hide it, Come on!, just divide it, yeah baby!
And please don't knock it (Knock it!), until you ride it (Ride it!)
Michelle, Tamika, and Tonya wanna ride this train, ride out now!

[Bridge 2:]
Daddy daddy, can I go? I wanna ride the train (Woo-woo)
Yeah, baby, you can go, if there ain't no shame in your game (Woo-woo)
But you better watch your back, cause I heard people say (Woo-woo)
That you can't walk when you ride the train with the Quad City DJ's (Woo-woo)

Attention all ticketed passengers:
The Quad City train is getting ready to ride. (Woo-woo)
Just, ah, move your body to the,
Woo-woo, funky sound cause the, Woo-woo
Party train, Woo-woo, is coming, to your town, Woo-woo, so, ah
Pack your bags, Woo-woo, and, ah, wait by the tracks as I, Woo-woo
Once we leave, Woo-woo, ain't no turnin back, Woo-woo
So, ah, for all you ladies, Woo-woo, get yo daisy dukes and, Woo-woo
All the fellas, Woo-woo, get that, gin and juice, Woo-woo
Cause, uh, we bring the dip baby, Woo-woo
Come take a trip baby, Woo-woo
From Alizay, Woo-woo, Jay be, Woo-woo
Jay be on the way come on and ride that thang, baby

[Chorus]

[Outro:]
Yeah, baby, it's Jay-Ski
You wanna ride with me?
Okay, go pack your bags, get ready, and when I call your town
Move your arms up and down and make that choo-choo sound, like this
Jacksonville go Woo-woo
O-Town wanna Woo-woo, yeah baby
Tampa wanna Woo-woo
Hotlanta wanna Woo-woo
Chi-town wanna Woo-woo
The Carolina's wanna Woo-woo
L.A. wanna Woo-woo
Dallas wanna Woo-woo
Frisco wanna Woo-woo
Houston gonna Woo-woo
New cd Woo-woo

[ProjectMaximus]

well, i think the quad city DJ's were from jax so it's not that surprising.

yellowcard (as just one example) has songs about their hometown as well...

And, this one, to Ock's sure delight about a train going through Jacksonville!

Quad City DJ's - "(The Train-Part II) Bass Remix Lyrics"

[stjr]

well, i think the quad city DJ's were from jax so it's not that surprising.

Basically, yes, per this Wikipedia article:

Quad City DJ's was the music artist and producer duo of C.C. Lemonhead  (Nathaniel Orange) and Jay Ski (Johnny McGowan), who produced the Miami bass hit "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" in 1995. Female singer JeLana LaFleur also contributed sung vocals to many of their songs.

The two first partnered in 1992 during high school in Jacksonville, Florida. They first were in a group known as Chill Deal. During this time they produced fellows acts Three Grand and Icy J, the latter being famous for the female answer rap to Rob Base's "It Takes Two" entitled "It Takes a Real Man". After Chill Deal dissolved, they reformed as 95 South to create the triple platinum hit "Whoop! (There It Is)". Their success led to work with Dis-n-Dat producing "Freak Me Baby" and 69 Boyz producing the double platinum single "Tootsee Roll".

In 1996 the two formed Quad City DJ's and produced the single "C'Mon N' Ride It (The Train)" (based on a sample of Barry White's 1974 song "Theme from Together Brothers"). The song was very successful, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum. They then produced the following album Get On Up and Dance, featuring the hit single, which peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 200 and also was certified platinum. The album also included the minor hit "Summer Jam" which peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.

Later in 1996 the group contributed to the Space Jam soundtrack, including the theme song. The theme song got frequent showing on MTV and charted fairly well, peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quad_City_DJ%27s

"C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" is a popular dance  song recorded by the Quad City DJ's in 1995, and released in 1996 as a single from the album Get on Up and Dance. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It was ranked the #1 song of 1996 by Village Voice magazine and is ranked the 1692nd best song of all time and 20th best of 1996 on Acclaimedmusic.net [1]  This song is played at dance clubs quite often. Many remixes were made out of this song. The song is used as the theme song for the 1996 Jon Lovitz comedy-crime film High School High.

The Seattle Storm play this song at their WNBA games to lead fans in a conga line on the court.

The lyrics bear striking similarity to the song Double Dutch Bus by Frankie Smith.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%27Mon_N%27_Ride_It_%28The_Train%29

[longhaul]

can't forget Mofro

[I-10east]

The late soul singer Freddie Scott (born in Providence, RI) has a song called "Are You Lonely for me Baby?" He sung about coming home and "taking the last train to Jacksonville" to see his love.

www.youtube.com/watch/?v=fN3ki96eeuQ