'Here he comes, boogity boogity, there he goes:' Catching up with Ray Stevens

&Nbsp;currently airs on RFDtv) considers the musician to be "a creative genius," and he isn't the only individual holding that sentiment.

Although labeled a novelty artist, Stevens isn't so easily pigeon-holed.  Witness a funky R&B number like "Bridget The Midget," the message of the gorgeous pop song "Everything Is Beautiful,"  the gospel swing of "Turn Your Radio On," or the country lament found in Kristofferson's "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down."  And yes, this underrated songwriter wrote the first two.

Changes in '80s radio forced the musician to market his singles towards country stations, and this move paid off in grand fashion.  With more emphasis on witty songs, Stevens continued to have hits with "Shriner's Convention," "The Mississippi Squirrel Revival," "It's Me Again, Margaret," and the still-relevant "Would Jesus Wear A Rolex."

During the past twenty years, Stevens wisely invested in creating music videos for many of his hit songs.  Several years were spent in Branson or on the road, but the past decade has seen the singer return to his musical roots.  Surprisingly, he now releases up to two albums per year on his own Clyde Records, including the satisfying Ray Stevens Sings Sinatra...Say What?? .

I recently sat down with the singer and versatile pianist for an extensive conversation focusing on his entire career.  If by some token of misfortune you missed Part Two of this interview (titled "An interview with singer and legendary songwriter Ray Stevens: Behind the music) , you're at the right place, as it can be accessed by clicking on the above link.

The chat continues below as Stevens recalls how he came to write and record one of his most famous songs, a laugh-inducing "The Streak."  We also dive into his back recording catalog, his plans for the remainder of 2011, the story behind the bestselling release Comedy Video Classics

“The Streak” (1974)

I was on an airplane flying from L.A. to Nashville, and there was a little article in the back of a news magazine about a college student in California who took off his clothes and ran through a crowd naked.  They called it “streaking.” 

I got home and wrote the song, went in the studio and cut it, and sure enough, it turned out to be a big fad.  I guess there were 30 or 40 records released on streaking during that period, but mine was the one that made it.  It’s my best-selling record (#1 Pop, #3 Country).

Song The Streak - News


Joe DiMaggio's Streak, Game 37: Little Did Joe Know How He Would Affect a Nation

For a long while, DiMaggio was offended by the song, telling Engelberg, “I haven't gone anywhere. I'm right here.” Later songwriter Paul Simon told DiMaggio is was “a sincere tribute.” Joe said he was satisfied with Simon's explanation. Oh, The Streak.



'Here he comes, boogity boogity, there he goes:' Catching up with Ray Stevens

They called it “streaking.” I got home and wrote the song, went in the studio and cut it, and sure enough, it turned out to be a big fad. I guess there were 30 or 40 records released on streaking during that period, but mine was the one that made it.



Lincoln Race Course: Song Of Humor trying a mile in Lincoln Derby

Spoken In Tones, Streaking Silver, and Archuleta were the top three finishers in a second-level allowance race here June 10 going a mile and 70 yards and could also pose strong threats to the win streak of Song Of Humor here.



Gospel-singing preacher Darrel Petties builds success on talent, tradition

The 26-year-old singer, choir leader and pastor with a small white streak in his close-cropped hair sits down and strokes a series of minor chords. "'Major' and 'minor' have never been total excitement for me," he smiles, glancing up for a second while



Drake Has “Trust Issues” On New Track

Gaga took the simple approach for a meaningful song and the results are amazing. Another masterpiece for Mother Monster! Epic flop! Has Gaga completely lost her marbles? This video looks like it was shot in 15 minutes with a budget of about 20 bucks.




Netty Mac MUZIK NEWZ Ago2daY: RAY STEVENS - The Streak

Today in 1974 Ray Stevens hit No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart with his song 'The Streak'. This song is about the Britsh craze of streaking at the time. Streaking was a craze? Too funny!!  'The Streak' also hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Charts and then No. 3 on the Billboard Top Country Charts. Quite an array of achievements for a song that is about shedding your cloths!


Twitter

Jeff Fajans Got the Cold Streak Blues? Dating Life dried up? Been there, done that. Listen to my song about it:


Lucas Todd Boyer Song of the day: Ray Stevens- The Streak


christine arrey Watch "The aggrolites- lucky streak" on YouTube ....love this song


Peter Parker if there's any trouble I'll be there like a streak of light, as the theme song says hahaha


Chrissy Chambers Home. Long night but started&finished a song (my first full length!) and the beat is great! loving this productive streak, gotta keep it up


Song The Streak - Bookshelf

The streak

The streak

The gentle melancholy of the song, the calm of the failing day, the splendour of the distant violet-hued mountains, the whisper of the miniature waves along ...

Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series, 1964: January-June

Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series, 1964: January-June

See FAUST, FREDERICK. The small world. See FAUST, FREDERICK. The song of the whip. See FAUST, FREDERICK. The streak. See FAUST, FREDERICK. FAUST, JUDITH. ...

The Billboard book of number 1 hits

The Billboard book of number 1 hits

The article called it 'streaking' and I said it had to be a great idea for a song. "I made some notes and when I got to my hotel room I made some more notes ...

The Billboard book of number one hits

The Billboard book of number one hits

The article called it 'streaking' and I said it had to be a great idea for a song. "I made some notes and when I got to my hotel room I made some ...

The 100 greatest days in New York sports

The 100 greatest days in New York sports

When Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak — what The Sporting News called back in ... had America singing his song, the numbers that mattered most were 42 and 45: ...

Find Article Directory


The Streak by Ray Stevens
Web pages about this song: Where to Buy: Song Lyrics: THE STREAK. WRITER RAY STEVENS ... Contact us if you know of another album that contains this song ...

The Streak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Streak" is a popular country/novelty song written, produced, and sung by Ray Stevens. ... The song's story is a series of three "news flashes" featuring the " ...

Lyrics The Streak Ray Stevens Words To The Streak Ray Stevens ...
Lyrics The Streak Ray Stevens Words To Song The Streak Ray Stevens Listen To Free 80's Music Lyric Downloads

Ray Stevens - The Streak Lyrics
Ray Stevens - The Streak Lyrics : (Reporter): Hello, everyone, this is your action news reporter with all the news that is news across the nation, on...

The Streak by Ray Stevens Songfacts
The Streak by Ray Stevens song meaning, lyric interpretation, video and chart position