The chant has jelled into the consciousness of Americans when a political foe is kicked to the curb. On Saturday Donald Trump’s motorcade boogied back to Washington following another round of presidential golf when the crowd lampooned as one: “Na na na na … na na na na … hey hey goodbye.” Ah ridicule, a pol’s worst enemy.
Trump can thank two Bridgeport kids–Paul Leka and Gary DeCarlo–for the love. It’s one of those things that causes both joy and jeers, depending on your political point of view.
Over the years it has taken on an enduring life of its own when in reality the song was just a B-side accident that zoomed to number 1 for two weeks in December 1969, supplanting The Beatles’ gems “Come Together” and “Something”, which had held the top spots. Not bad company.
Speaking of how something comes together (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know that’s a little overwritten) I asked Leka (gulp!) 35 years ago about co-writing one of the signature chant songs in the history of Rock & Roll. The bluesy beat needed something to lengthen it, he recalled sitting at a piano in his Downtown recording studio, and it was as simple as throwing in a na na chant banged out by Leka on keys, DeCarlo adding the hey hey and golden voice to the lead.
The record company loved it, Leka and DeCarlo came up with the name Steam to promote it. The song was picked up by radio DJs in the south and soon took off like a blizzard of absentee ballots.
Both DeCarlo and Leka who produced songs in his Bridgeport music studio for Stevie Wonder, REO Speedwagon, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson and Harry Chapin have passed, but what a legacy about love lost. And a verbal needle in the spine of the commander in tweet.
The group “Steam” and Gary DeCarlo were like the first real rock stars in the Bridgeport area. I had just gotten out the Air Force earlier that year and a lot of us new vets were so happy to come home after the Vietnam War and it was “Na na na na…na na na na… hey hey goodbye.”
It couldn’t have happened to a meaner president. Now, let the real legal action begin. And if Biden even thinks about healing the wounds and forgiving him, start the impeachment of Biden.
Let’s move fast with the tax returns. Then with the false financials. Then watch as his house of cards begins to tumble.
And I hope Melania doesn’t play Hilary Clinton and stands by her man.
I use to listen to them sing at the Went field shower room when I was a kid.
I Also heard they borrowed the xylophone percussions Band from Bassick High School.
Lennie
Do you know where that was filmed????????
DC, Trump returning to White House
Nooooooo!!!!!
The clip of Steam.
December 3, 2011, Pittsburgh, PA. See here https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2144097/
Saw some of the members of Biden’s Coronavirus task force. I haven’t seen an article with all members photos but the majority appear to be white males. Not a good way to start an office committed to inclusion.
Looks inclusive to me.
What’s the break down men vs women?
Black vs whites?
Now you ask me what is the medical field and I will ask you what is the Public Health field.
Who at a greater population to be diagnosed with COVID 19 as a percent to the whole population? African Americans and Latinos.
So “Follow the Science” also has to be demographically diverse as well?
As George carlin once said : “Somewhere, there is the worlds worst doctor. And tomorrow there are 20 people waiting in line to see him. “
Biden appointee Marcella Nunez-Smith at work at Yale.
Biden appointee Marcella Nunez-Smith at work at Yale.
https://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/cnn_yale_prof_to_co-lead_biden_covid_task_force/
All the itty bitty TAX INCREASES in Connecticut will be inclusive as well!!!!
Cheers!!!!