The Hyper-Instructional Lyrics of the Name Game Song

Of course, you know “The Name Game” song by Shirley Ellis, originally released in 1964. “Shirley, Shirley Bo-ber-ley, bo-na-na fanna fo-fer-ley, fee fi mo-mer-ley, Shirley!” The song was co-written by Ellis and Lincoln Chase (who also wrote “Jim Dandy”).

But you’ve probably never listened to the whole tune, which includes hyper-instructional, on-rhyme lyrics that probably a) extend the song to the requisite 3:00 of 60s pop hits and b) avoid the inevitable barrage of FAQs from the dear souls whose names started with ‘B’ or ‘F.’

See for yourself:  

I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name
The first letter of the name
I treat it like it wasn't there
But a "B" or an "F" or an "M" will appear
And then I say "Bo" add a "B" then I say the name
Then "Bo-na-na fanna" and "fo"
And then I say the name again with an ""f" very plain
Then "fee fi" and a "mo"
And then I say the name again with an "M" this time
And there isn't any name that I can't rhyme

…

But if the first two letters are ever the same
Crop them both, then say the name
Like Bob, Bob, drop the "B's", Bo-ob
Or Fred, Fred, drop the "F's", Fo-red
Or Mary, Mary, drop the "M's", Mo-ary
That's the only rule that is contrary

Text by @tannerlatham; Photo by Giles Petard

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