FROM THE VAULTS: Little Eva born 29 June 1943

About the Song

Get ready to twist and shout, because we’re diving into a blast from the past with Little Eva’s infectious dance anthem, “The Locomotion”! Released in 1962, this energetic tune captured the spirit of a new era in music and dance, becoming a runaway hit and propelling Little Eva to instant stardom.

A Song Born from Collaboration

“The Locomotion” wasn’t just a catchy tune; it was the brainchild of a legendary songwriting duo – Carole King and Gerry Goffin. This husband-and-wife team, already behind countless hits, penned a song that perfectly encapsulated the burgeoning dance craze sweeping the nation. Their playful lyrics, brimming with playful references to new moves like the “do the slop” and the “twist,” resonated with a generation eager to let loose on the dance floor.

Little Eva’s Irresistible Energy

But “The Locomotion” wouldn’t have been the same without the powerhouse vocals of Little Eva. Her energetic delivery, brimming with youthful enthusiasm, perfectly captured the song’s infectious spirit. The way she belts out the iconic line, “Everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance now,” is sure to get your toes tapping and your head nodding.

A Legacy of Fun and Dance

“The Locomotion” wasn’t just a hit in its own time; it transcended generations. The song’s simple yet infectious groove has ensured its place in pop culture history. It’s been covered by countless artists, featured in countless movies and TV shows, and continues to be a go-to dance floor filler even today.

So, the next time you hear that unmistakable rhythm, crank up the volume and let loose! “The Locomotion” is an invitation to pure, unadulterated fun, reminding us of the simple joys of music and dance that transcend age and time.Photo of LITTLE EVA; Event:, Artist: Little Eva,

Video 

Lyrics: The Locomotion

Everybody’s doing a brand-new dance, now(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)I know you’ll get to like it if you give it a chance now(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)My little baby sister can do it with meIt’s easier than learning your A-B-C’sSo come on, come on, do the Loco-motion with meYou gotta swing your hips, now
Come on, babyJump upJump backWell, now, I think you’ve got the knackWow, wow
Now that you can do it, let’s make a chain, now(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)A chug-a chug-a motion like a railroad train, now(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)Do it nice and easy, now, don’t lose controlA little bit of rhythm and a lot of soul
Come on, come onDo the Loco-motion with me
Ye-ye-ye-yeahMove around the floor in a Loco-motion(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)Do it holding hands if you get the notion(Come on baby, do the Loco-motion)
There’s never been a dance that’s so easy to doIt even makes you happy when you’re feeling blueSo come on, come on, do the Loco-motion with me
You gotta swing your hips, now(Come on)That’s right (do the Loco-motion)You’re doing fine!(Come on, do the Loco-motion)Come on, babe(Come on, do the Loco-motion)Hm-hm-hm, jump up(Come one)Jump back (do the Loco-motion)You’re looking good(Come on, do the Loco-motion)Hm-hm-hm, jump up(Come on)Jump back (do the Loco-motion), yeah yeah yeah

You Missed

For Vince Gill, the memory of singing with Dolly Parton came down to their final note together at the 1995 CMA Awards. Thirty-one years later, on the day she died, he shared that performance again. “We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. He called the closing note of their duet one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard. Their recording of “I Will Always Love You” began with Dolly’s album *Something Special*. That summer, she revisited three of her classics, including the farewell she had written for Porter Wagoner in 1973. It had already topped the country chart twice in her own voice, and Whitney Houston’s 1992 recording had brought it to listeners worldwide. For this version, Dolly invited Vince to join her. They performed it on the Grand Ole Opry on August 26, 1995, during a TNN broadcast. Radio programmers began playing the duet before Columbia officially issued it as a single. That unsolicited airplay carried it onto Billboard’s country chart at No. 53. On October 4, they sang it again at the CMA Awards. Vince, then 38, was hosting the broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry House. He stepped away from those duties to sing beside the woman who had written the song when he was sixteen. As the performance ended, their voices met on one sustained note. Decades later, that was the moment he singled out. Released as a single that November, the duet reached No. 15, received a Grammy nomination and won the 1996 CMA award for Vocal Event of the Year. But Vince’s remembrance centered on what he had heard standing beside her. Dolly died in Nashville on August 25, 2026, at 80, after a brief battle with cancer. Two days later, Vince appeared at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City. He told the audience how deeply his family was hurting, then began “I Will Always Love You.” This time, he sang it alone. Fan footage captured him struggling with his emotions throughout the performance. When he stepped back to compose himself, people in the audience carried the words. Musicians behind him wiped their eyes. He reached the closing note without Dolly’s voice beside his. After finishing, he moved away from the microphone, placed a hand over his chest and lowered his head.