♫ Rag Doll ♫

Posted on by under Bits 'n Pieces, music, music history

I’ve only played this once, wayyyyyyy back in 2019, but tonight I was listening to a compilation of ‘oldies’ from around 1964 and this one popped up, and … BINGO!  I knew what I wanted to play for today’s music post!

From the 2019 post …

I know, I know … I’ve already played Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons twice in the past week, thereby breaking my own rules.  But see, I rather promised this one to a dear friend, Roger, a few days back, and I don’t ever like to go back on a promise if I can help it.  I’m rather the opposite of … er um … he who shall remain nameless for tonight.  Promises mean something to me, and I try my best to keep them.  So, anyway, this one is for you, Sir Roger, from Filosofa and the Feral Five!  😽😽😽😽😽

Released in 1964, this song reached #1 in both the U.S. and Canada, and #2 in the UK.

Group member and chief songwriter Bob Gaudio wrote this. He was driving his car to the studio in New York City when he was stopped at a “three-minute light.” A little girl – with ragged clothes and dirty face – ran up to the car and cleaned the windshield. As the light changed, Gaudio rummaged frantically through his pockets in an effort to find a quarter to pay the girl, who did indeed look like a Rag Doll. The smallest piece of money he could find was a five-dollar bill (sometimes Gaudio would say “ten-dollar bill” when he tells this story), so he gave her the currency. She was speechless, but he remembered her stunned look at the studio, where he composed the song.

Rag Doll
Frankie Valli, The Four Seasons

When she was just a kid
Her clothes were hand-me-downs

They always laughed at her when she came into town
Called her rag doll
Little rag doll

Such a pretty face should be dressed in lace
Ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh
(Shag rag doll)

I’d change her sad rags into glad rags
If I could (if I could)
My folks won’t let me
‘Cause they say that she’s no good
She’s a rag doll, such a rag doll
Though I love her so
I can’t let her know

Ooh ooh ooh ooh oh
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh oh
Aah aah aah aah aah
I love you just they way you are
Ooh ooh ooh ooh oh
I love you just they way you are (Rag doll, ooh)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh oh
(Rag doll, ooh)
Ooh ooh ooh ooh oh

Songwriters: Bob Crewe / Bob Gaudio
Rag Doll lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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21 thoughts on “♫ Rag Doll ♫”

  6. Kamchak, Jill, I was going to school in Atlanta when ARS rebranded and re-released “Spooky.” I also liked “Imaginary Lovers” as well as “Champagne Jam.” By the way, you reminded me of another Champagne Jam group who had a unique sound called Mother’s Finest.

    Thanks for the memories. Keith

    Liked by 2 people

      • This reminded me-a friend of my younger sister’s bought this on 45 at a garage sale, listened, thought it was awesome, and brought it over for us to hear. The folks were out of town so one of the stepsisters was house-/us-sitting. Anyway, we put one of those little yellow (some were red) things in the record center, and put it on the stereo. We had limited permission to touch it by then; I was in jr. high. I remembered this song from the radio when I was little, but what was funny was, the stepsister heard it, wondered if we were playing Mom’s records (as if!,) and of course yelled to turn it down (no doubt it brought back her own memories…) I can’t recall what the B side was, but sis’s friend really liked The Four Seasons after she got that record!

        I like the song really well, too. Thank you, Jill!

        Liked by 1 person

        • What a cool memory, Ali!!! Thanks so much for sharing it! I found myself smiling and able to picture the scenario perfectly! So glad you liked the song, and that it evoked fun memories of days long gone.

          Liked by 1 person

  8. Moar falsetto?

    Alrighty, then.

    This group formed in Florida, was urged to move up to my hometown (Marthasville/Terminus) and made a name fer themselfs with their biggest hit “Spooky”. After a while they broke up (as bands do), and some of the remaining members renamed the group Atlanta Rhythm Section and hosted a yearly Southron Rock Music extravaganza named Champagne Jam (yeah, they named a song after it).

    This song was penned by Joe South (another Marthasville/Terminus native son):

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEKGGxo4S0A&pp=ygUVcG9sbHlhbm5hIGNsYXNzaWNzIGl2

    Liked by 2 people

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