Dirty Water
From SoSH
Contents |
The Standells
The Standells' "Dirty Water" is played at Fenway Park after Red Sox victories. Recorded in 1965 by the California-based Standells, "Dirty Water" went on to peak at #11 on the Billboard Pop charts on June 11, 1966. The song was written by the band's producer, Ed Cobb, and was released as Tower single #185 in November 1965. As Lenny Kaye writes in the liner notes to "Nuggets," his 1972 double-LP compilation of 1960s garage bands, "Contrary to popular belief, Boston was not their 'home' (Los Angeles was), though the city does boast the Charles River and assumedly frustrated women, at that time reputed to be due to the dorm curfews at Boston University."
The Red Sox and Dirty Water
The Red Sox have used Dirty Water as their home victory song since 1997, selected by Dan Duquette and Jimy Williams. A Red Sox win is also referred to as "Dirty Water" on SoSH often with a video of the song being performed
Trivia
- Although the song is about Boston, The Standells were actually from LA
- Dick Dodd, singer/drummer, had no idea that the Sox were using this song until he heard it being played on an ESPN show.
- The Standells have performed the song twice at Fenway - once before Game 2 of the 2004 World Series and again after the 2005 Home Opener.
Lyrics
(spoken:)
I'm gonna tell you a story
I'm gonna tell you about my town
I'm gonna tell you a big bad story, baby
Aww, it's all about my town
-
Yeah, down by the river
Down by the banks of the river Charles (aw, that's what's happenin' baby)
That's where you'll find me
Along with lovers, fuggers, and thieves (aw, but they're cool people)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, you're the Number One place)
Frustrated women (I mean they're frustrated)
Have to be in by twelve o'clock (oh, that's a shame)
But I'm wishin' and a-hopin, oh
That just once those doors weren't locked (I like to save time for my baby to walk around)
Well I love that dirty water
Oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)
-
Because I love that dirty water
Oh, oh, Boston, you're my home (oh, yeah)
-
Well, I love that dirty water (I love it, baby)
I love that dirty water (I love Baw-stun)
I love that dirty water (Have you heard about the Strangler?)
I love that dirty water (I'm the man, I'm the man)
I love that dirty water (Owww!)
I love that dirty water (Come on, come on) [fade]
