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,

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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

MINNIE PEARL WALKED ONSTAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY FOR 50 YEARS WITH A $1.98 PRICE TAG ON HER HAT — AND THEN ONE NIGHT, SHE JUST COULDN’T ANYMORE. Here’s something most people don’t think about with Minnie Pearl. That price tag hanging off her straw hat? It wasn’t random. Sarah Cannon — that was her real name — created it as a joke about a country girl too proud of her new hat to take the tag off. And audiences loved it so much that it became the most recognizable prop in country music history. For over fifty years, that tag meant Minnie was here, and everything was going to be fun. So imagine what it felt like when she couldn’t put the hat on anymore. In June 1991, Sarah had a massive stroke. She was 79. And just like that, the woman who hadn’t missed an Opry show in decades was gone from the stage. But here’s what gets me. She didn’t die in 1991. She lived another five years after that stroke, mostly out of the public eye, unable to perform, unable to be “Minnie” the way she’d always been. Her husband Henry Cannon took care of her at their Nashville home. Friends visited, but they said it was hard. The woman who made millions of people laugh couldn’t get through a full conversation some days. Roy Acuff, her old friend from the Opry, kept her dressing room exactly the way she left it. Nobody used it. The hat sat there. She passed on March 4, 1996. And what most people remember is the comedy. The “HOW-DEEE” catchphrase. The big goofy grin. What they don’t remember is that Sarah Cannon was also a serious fundraiser for cancer research. Centennial Medical Center in Nashville named their cancer center after her — not after Minnie, after Sarah. She raised millions and rarely talked about it publicly. There’s a story about the very last time Sarah tried to put on the hat at home, months after the stroke, and what her husband said to her in that moment — it’s the kind of detail that makes you see fifty years of comedy completely differently. Roy Acuff kept Minnie Pearl’s dressing room untouched for years after she left — was that loyalty to a friend, or was he holding a door open for someone he knew was never coming back?