Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots
Encyclopedia
"Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots" is a popular teenage tragedy song
that was a top-ten hit for The Cheers
in the fall of 1955. It went to #6 on the Billboard
Best Selling singles chart. Veteran performer Vaughn Monroe covered the record, going to #38 on the Billboard charts, and a top-ten co-listing on Cashbox.
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
, the song tells the story of a motorcycle rider and his long-suffering girlfriend Mary Lou. In the song she pleads with him not to ride one night: "I've got a feeling if you ride tonight I'll grieve," she tells him, but he ignores her and "hit a screamin' diesel that was California bound." Featuring a catchy tune and the chorus of "He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots and a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back," the song was the second big hit for the Cheers, after "Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')." It was also the first song to chart about motorcycles and the "new" motorcyclists, earning it the reputation as the first biker song. In 1956, French chanteuse Edith Piaf
recorded a French translation of the song entitled "L' Homme à la Moto," which became one of her biggest selling singles. This song was also recorded by Canadian group The Diamonds
, who did it for the Coral Records
label; the Diamonds achieved fame a couple years later with the Rock and Roll classic "Little Darlin'
." In 1994, Chris Spedding
recorded a new version of the song. It has also been recorded by Joan Morris
and William Bolcom
and has become a staple of their concert repertoire.
In 1959, Dodie Stevens
became famous with her parody of "Black Denim Trousers," "Pink Shoe Laces."
Teenage tragedy song
The "teenage tragedy song", also known as death rock, "tear jerker" or a "splatter platter", is a style of ballad that was most popular between the late 1950s and early 1960s...
that was a top-ten hit for The Cheers
The Cheers
The Cheers were an American rock and roll vocal group, that had a string of hits in the mid 1950s starting with " I Need Your Lovin'." which hit number fifteen on the U.S. chart in 1954...
in the fall of 1955. It went to #6 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Best Selling singles chart. Veteran performer Vaughn Monroe covered the record, going to #38 on the Billboard charts, and a top-ten co-listing on Cashbox.
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
, the song tells the story of a motorcycle rider and his long-suffering girlfriend Mary Lou. In the song she pleads with him not to ride one night: "I've got a feeling if you ride tonight I'll grieve," she tells him, but he ignores her and "hit a screamin' diesel that was California bound." Featuring a catchy tune and the chorus of "He wore black denim trousers and motorcycle boots and a black leather jacket with an eagle on the back," the song was the second big hit for the Cheers, after "Bazoom (I Need Your Lovin')." It was also the first song to chart about motorcycles and the "new" motorcyclists, earning it the reputation as the first biker song. In 1956, French chanteuse Edith Piaf
Édith Piaf
Édith Piaf , born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer and cultural icon who became widely regarded as France's greatest popular singer. Her singing reflected her life, with her specialty being ballads...
recorded a French translation of the song entitled "L' Homme à la Moto," which became one of her biggest selling singles. This song was also recorded by Canadian group The Diamonds
The Diamonds
The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet who rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with sixteen Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville , Ted Kowalski , Phil Levitt , and Bill Reed .-1950s:...
, who did it for the Coral Records
Coral Records
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
label; the Diamonds achieved fame a couple years later with the Rock and Roll classic "Little Darlin'
Little Darlin'
"Little Darlin" is a popular Top 40 song.It was written by Maurice Williams with both melody and doo-wop accompaniment strongly emphasizing the clave rhythm. It was first recorded by Excello Records in January 1957 and quickly released as a rhythm-and-blues song by Williams's R&B group, The Gladiolas...
." In 1994, Chris Spedding
Chris Spedding
Chris Spedding is an English rock and roll and jazz guitarist, best known for his session work. Allmusic states - "Spedding is one of the UK's most versatile session guitarists, and has had a long career on two continents that saw him tackle nearly every style of rock and roll, as well as...
recorded a new version of the song. It has also been recorded by Joan Morris
Joan Morris
Joan Morris, is a mezzo-soprano,Born in Portland, Oregon, she is one half of the famous musical duo of Bolcom and Morris. Her musical partner and husband is composer/pianist William Bolcom...
and William Bolcom
William Bolcom
William Elden Bolcom is an American composer and pianist. He has received the Pulitzer Prize, the National Medal of Arts, two Grammy Awards, the Detroit Music Award and was named 2007 Composer of the Year by Musical America. Bolcom taught composition at the University of Michigan from 1973–2008...
and has become a staple of their concert repertoire.
In 1959, Dodie Stevens
Dodie Stevens
Dodie Stevens is an American pop singer. She is best known for her million selling 1959 song "Pink Shoe Laces", which made her a star when she was only 13 years old.-Early life:...
became famous with her parody of "Black Denim Trousers," "Pink Shoe Laces."