Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys - Drive In Movies

The latest from  Melvin Peckerwood And The Mama's Boys gives a glimpse back in time when a date for a young couple was going out for a burger and a drive-in movie double feature. And like the song lyrics say, sometimes the best show wasn't on the screen! 

There are very few drive-in movie theaters left now, but at one time they were quite prevalent. The first drive-in movie theater  was in Comanche, Texas in 1921, which of course showed silent movies.  They slowly increased in number. In 1947 there was around 155 outdoor theaters in The United States, and by the time of the start of the baby boom era in 1951 there were over 4,000 of them nation wide. With the end of WW II, couples were having families, and the drive in movies offered the ma cheaper alternative than going to indoor theaters. The kids were brought along, no baby sitter was needed, and many of the theaters offered dollar a carload nights, where a car full of adults and kids could get in for a dollar.

Melvin's song deals with a young man thinking he can have his own 'private showing', but the girl thwarts his plans. 

Imagine it’s the 1960’s 

You’re in your car a girl by your side 

You just ate at the burger joint

 Goin’ down the road for a drive 

 

 A few miles outside of the town 

Takin’ your date to a Drive In Movie 

A triple horror feature oh yeah! 

You got something in mind that’s groovie 

 

 The Drive In Movies years ago 

Was the place that was really the scene

 Popcorn, pizza, soda pop as well

 Best show wasn’t always on the screen 

 

 Your date's not a fan of horror flicks 

She says, "They're always really scary!" 

You knew that, all part of the plan 

Get her real close when it gets hairy 

 

The first show does the trick really well

Each spooky scene she scoots closer 

Until she's right up against you tight 

The plan's going real good all over 

 

The Drive In Movies years ago 

Was the place that was really the scene 

Popcorn, pizza, soda pop as well 

Best show wasn’t always on the screen 

 

 Second show after intermission 

She's still close to you as close can be

 After a few more real scary scenes 

You grow bold, put your hand on her knee 

 

She quickly grabs it, moves it away 

 Says, "What kind of girl you think I am?" 

You reply, "Baby, loosen up! Get in back, 

I'll show ya who I am!" 

 

The Drive In Movies years ago 

Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't 

No matter how much you spent on 'em 

Sometimes they will, sometimes they won't! 

 

 And if you tried to push the issue 

Your nose just might need a tissue 

They could raise a ruckus, for sure 

And cause you to wear a supporter!

 

 She warns you to not do it again 

She says, "I came along to watch the shows" 

You start up the car, put it in gear 

No need to stay, not your kind of shows 

 

You step on the gas, she scoots right away 

It's a long quiet drive to her house 

Screech the tires when you pull up 

She says, "Thanks for nothin' you louse!" 

 

The Drive In Movies years ago 

Something of a right of passage 

For young couples with nowhere else 

And sometimes just a "OH NO YOU DON'T!" message!