“The Streak”
“The Streak”
From Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song
Ray Stevens
“The Streak”
Written and Recorded by Ray Stevens
Some years ago I was on a plane coming home to Nashville from Los Angeles when I read an article in a news magazine about a new trend at American colleges they called “STREAKING.” Kids were taking off all their clothes and running across the campus for no particular reason. I tore the article out, took it home, did a rough draft of a song and put it in my piano bench. I thought, “I’ll get to that later.” It wasn’t much later at all. “Streaking” caught fire across the country so I hastily finished my song, booked in a session (studio and musicians) and recorded “The Streak.”
By the time I made my record, there were already a dozen or so “streaking” records on the market. It seemed everybody wanted to get in on this phenomenon. “Streaking” was a hot topic. Even Walter Cronkite mentioned it on his newscast and a guy ran across the stage naked behind host David Niven on the Academy Awards Show on national TV.
The day of the session, I got instant feedback on the projected success of the record. I ran a rough demo over to a local radio station and asked them to play it on the air. Their phone lit up immediately! The studio microphones were still warm and we were still packing up our instruments in the recording studio when the disc jockey called to report the listeners’ response. Needless to say, at that moment I was pretty sure “THE STREAK” would be a hit! I had no idea, however, how huge it would become.
During the weeks that followed, there would be 30 or 40 recordings about “streaking” released on the market. But none of the others caught the imagination of the public like Ethel and her poor boyfriend who kept yelling… “Don’t look Ethel!!!” That phrase, along with “Yeah I did!”, “Boogity-Boogity” and the whistle became a part of the whole “streaking” phenomenon.
This was in the days of the “single” record and “The Streak” sold over 4 million of these little 45 RPM pieces of vinyl in less than 6 weeks. Those were great days in the record business… when you could write and record a song and get it to the market quickly to take advantage of national fads before they faded from the scene. Later, albums became the standard. You didn’t just cut a single anymore. You had to take the time and bear the expense of recording 10 or 12 songs to compete in the marketplace. It looks like things are about to come full circle in that regard now because with digital downloading we are once again able to get a single topical song out to the public in a flash via the Internet.
“The Streak” had a new life with the release of my Comedy Video Classics video package when I sold direct through television ads and catalogues, and then again when I produced it for my stage act complete with a Wagnerian Opera singer. The stage show was also released on a video… Ray Stevens Live.
I don’t know how many million recordings of the song have been sold by now but it is no doubt one of the best selling songs I have ever written or recorded!!
“The Streak”
(Reporter)
Hello, everyone, this is your action news reporter with all the news
that is news across the nation, on the scene at the supermarket. There
seems to have been some disturbance here. Pardon me, sir, did you see
what happened?
(Witness)
Yeah, I did. I’s standin’ overe there by the tomaters, and here he
come, running through the pole beans, through the fruits and vegetables,
nekkid as a jay bird. And I hollered over t’ Ethel, I said, “Don’t
look, Ethel!” But it’s too late, she’d already been incensed.
(Chorus)
Here he comes, look at that, look at that
There he goes, look at that, look at that
And he ain’t wearin’ no clothes.
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
Fastest thing on two feet.
Look at that, look at that
He’s just as proud as he can be
Of his anatomy
He goin’ give us a peek.
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
He likes to show off his physique.
Look at that, look at that
If there’s an audience to be found
He’ll be streakin’ around
Invitin’ public critique.
This is your action news reporter once again, and we’re here at the gas
station. Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
(Witness)
Yeah, I did. I’s just in here I’ my car checked, he just appeared
out of the traffic. Come streakin’ around the grease rack there, didn’t
have nothin’ on but a smile. I looked in there, and Ethel was I’
her a cold drink. I hollered, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too
late. She’d already been mooned. Flashed her right there in front of
the shock absorbers.
(Chorus)
He ain’t crude, look at that, look at that
He ain’t lewd, look at that, look at that
He’s just in the mood to run in the nude.
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
He likes to turn the other cheek.
Look at that, look at that
He’s always makin’ the news
Wearin’ just his tennis shoes
Guess you could call him unique.
(Reporter)
Once again, your action news reporter in the booth at the gym, covering
the disturbance at the basketball playoff. Pardon me, sir, did you see
what happened?
Yeah, I did. Half time, I’s just goin’ down thar to get Ethel a snow
cone. And here he come, right out of the cheap seats, dribbling, right
down the middle of the court. Didn’t have on nothing but his PF’s.
Made a hook shot and got out through the concessions stand. I hollered up
at Ethel, I said, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too late. She’d
already got a free shot. Grandstandin’, right there in front of the
home team.
(Chorus) (Witness)
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak. Here he comes again.
Look at that, look at that. Who’s that with him?
The fastest thing on two feet. Ethel? Is that you, Ethel?
Look at that, look at that. What do you think you’re…
He’s just as proud as he can be… doin’? You git your…
Of his anatomy… clothes on!
He’s gonna give us a peek.
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak. Ethel! Where you goin’?
Look at that, look at that Ethel, you shameless…
He likes to show off his physique… hussy! Say it isn’t so.
Look at that, look at that Ethel! Ethelllllll!!!
If there’s an audience to be found
He’ll be streakin’ around
Invitin’ public critique.
Written by Ray Stevens. © 1974 Ahab Music Company, Inc. © Renewed 2002
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Title: Reprinted by permission of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC © 2009. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.