Song 169 - Hernando's Hideaway by the Johnston Brothers

Lets have a Thursday Tango as the UK goes to the polls to decide on whether we leave the EU or not. Talking about politics is not my thing, all I'll say is make sure you vote. Anyway today's song is a cracking 1950s hit that was written by Richard Adler and Jerry  Ross for the musical, The Pajama Game. It was originally recorded and performed by Carol Haney, in the musical,  but I have chosen to put the Johnston Brothers' version into the jukebox as it is the one I know from the film Snatch.

Together with the unforgettable rhythm of the tune, the lyrics to Hernando's Hideaway are ones of friendships and being part of an exclusive club that only certain people can get into if they know the password. Another song from my writing mix, but this one is more upbeat and appeals to the idea that when you are sitting in front of the keyboard with a blank screen and your own creativity, there is no limitation to where you can take an idea. Writing is one of the most mind expanding things you can do as there is no one to tell you what is right or wrong. Okay, the pieces of work that you might want to get published one day should be more tailored for an audience, but if you are writing for yourself you can explore and do anything and at the end of the day, it can be easily deleted without any harm to anybody else.

In the musical, which is set in Iowa, Hernando's Hideaway is a raunchy dive in East Dubuque, Illinois, perching on a high cliff overlooking the highway between Dubuque and Galena. Since the musica was released there has been many place named Hernando's Hideaway, possibility because of the popularity of the song. One of the most interested places that was called Hernando's Hideaway was the smoking room in the House of Common, often quoted as a place of varied people and great debate.

When the Johnston Brothers released their version of Hernando's Hideway in November 1955, it went straight to number one, keeping the American version off the top of the UK chart. The Johnston Brothers were a vocal group formed by Johnny Johnston in the late 1940s, and although many of you may not know his name, I can bet (if you are of a similar age to me), you will know his work. How this you ask? In 1956, Johnston formed a jingle company and went on to produce hundred of famous jingles for television advertising including: A million housewives every day pick up a can of beans and say - Beanz Meanz Heinz. He also created the jingle for the first colour TV ad Bird Eye had on UK Television,

Anyway enjoy the song and have a dance.
Hernando's Hideaway

What does Beanz means?
Beanz meanz Heinz

Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Recorded by Johnston Brothers, 1955