On The Way To Cape May
Encyclopedia
"On The Way To Cape May" is a song that has become a Jersey Shore sound
summertime anthem for the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley
and South Jersey
Shore area. It was written by Maurice "Buddy" Nugent according to BMI
and the The Philadelphia Inquirer
. The song became popular without the push of a major record label.
Originally, the tune circulated from one band to another around Cape May County in the second half of the 20th Century. Early versions came from singers like Daddy Beans and Don Cornell
. Cozy Morley advanced its popularity with his large local following. The song became even more locally widespread when Al Alberts
recorded it and increased its broadcast exposure on radio and TV. Today, the top selling version is the Philly Cuzz rendition , which has a Bobby Darin
inspired arrangement. It has become popular in a variety of 21st century media, such as XM satellite and internet radio
, and also enjoys regular airplay on many Delaware Valley
AM and FM stations.
The lyrics are about a love story and journey which begins with the intro mentioning Ocean City. Traveling southward, the lyrics then continue with mentions of Sea Isle; Avalon
; Stone Harbor
; Wildwood
coming into view and talks of marriage around the town of Cape May Court House
. The words never actually say anything about the town of Cape May
. And though that town is the target destination, it's more about a journey through Cape May County
.
The "Breakfast Club" on 98.1 WOGL plays the Al Alberts version every Friday morning between the Friday preceding Memorial Day through and including the Friday before Labor Day.
Harry Kalas
, the 2002 Ford C. Frick Award
winner honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame
, who was the late voice of the Philadelphia Phillies
, had an avid affection for this song and can be seen singing the chorus at the end of the WHYY-TV
biography produced in 2004.
Jersey Shore sound
The Jersey Shore sound is a genre of rock and roll popularized at the Jersey Shore on the Atlantic Ocean coast of New Jersey, United States, that goes by a variety of names or, more often, is defined by its artists...
summertime anthem for the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
and South Jersey
South Jersey
South Jersey comprises the southern portions of the U.S. state of New Jersey between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. The designation is a colloquial one, reflecting not only geographical but perceived cultural differences from the northern part of the state, with no official...
Shore area. It was written by Maurice "Buddy" Nugent according to BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
and the The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
. The song became popular without the push of a major record label.
Originally, the tune circulated from one band to another around Cape May County in the second half of the 20th Century. Early versions came from singers like Daddy Beans and Don Cornell
Don Cornell
Don Cornell was an American singer prominent mainly in the 1940s and 1950s noted for his smooth but robust baritone voice....
. Cozy Morley advanced its popularity with his large local following. The song became even more locally widespread when Al Alberts
Al Alberts
Al Alberts was a popular singer and composer. -Biography:Born Al Albertini in Chester, Pennsylvania, he went to South Philadelphia High School, whose alumni included many others who would become famous in show business, such as Joey Bishop, Buddy Greco, Al Martino, Mario Lanza, Chubby Checker,...
recorded it and increased its broadcast exposure on radio and TV. Today, the top selling version is the Philly Cuzz rendition , which has a Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
inspired arrangement. It has become popular in a variety of 21st century media, such as XM satellite and internet radio
Internet radio
Internet radio is an audio service transmitted via the Internet...
, and also enjoys regular airplay on many Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
AM and FM stations.
The lyrics are about a love story and journey which begins with the intro mentioning Ocean City. Traveling southward, the lyrics then continue with mentions of Sea Isle; Avalon
Avalon, New Jersey
As of April 2009, the average home sales price in Avalon was $1,567,662 .As of the census of 2000, there were 2,143 people, 1,045 households, and 668 families residing in the borough. The population density was 508.4 people per square mile...
; Stone Harbor
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Stone Harbor is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. It shares the barrier island Seven Mile Island with its northern neighbor Avalon...
; Wildwood
Wildwood, New Jersey
Wildwood is a city in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is a popular summer resort destination. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's year-round population was 5,325...
coming into view and talks of marriage around the town of Cape May Court House
Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Cape May Court House is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Middle Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704...
. The words never actually say anything about the town of Cape May
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a city at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country's oldest vacation resort destinations. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 United States...
. And though that town is the target destination, it's more about a journey through Cape May County
Cape May County, New Jersey
-Climate:Being the southernmost point in New Jersey, Cape May has fairly mild wintertime temperatures. Contrary to that, the summertime has lower temperatures than most places in the state, making the county a popular place to escape the heat. It is in zone 7a/7b, which is the same as parts of...
.
The "Breakfast Club" on 98.1 WOGL plays the Al Alberts version every Friday morning between the Friday preceding Memorial Day through and including the Friday before Labor Day.
Harry Kalas
Harry Kalas
Harry Norbert Kalas was an American sportscaster, best known for his Ford C. Frick Award-winning role as lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies...
, the 2002 Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
winner honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
, who was the late voice of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, had an avid affection for this song and can be seen singing the chorus at the end of the WHYY-TV
WHYY-TV
For the former channel 12 in Wilmington, see WVUE .WHYY-TV, channel 12, is a non-commercial educational television station licensed to Wilmington, Delaware, USA...
biography produced in 2004.