Vikki Dougan's appearance in this newswire photo in 1957 was the inspiration for this hilarious song about her. Vikki reportedly said, "I'm not busty, so what's a girl to do?"
VIKKI DOUGAN by "Cal Grigsby" (Malvina Reynolds and Lou Gottlieb) REFRAIN: Vikki turn your back on me Come on darlin' just for me 'Cause there is something so appealin', that your eyes are not revealin'! Oh, Miss Dougan, you're for me! Other girls who approach me, Are beautiful, gorgeous and gay! But you're so gosh darn more inviting Going the other way! REFRAIN Vikki baby you move me, In those far-out clothes! But don't it get chilly flyin' home at night When that cold cold tail-wind blows? REFRAIN Vikki baby, you rock me, Without you I'm bereft! I'm hynotized by those crazy eyes, And that callipygian cleft! REFRAIN Vikki baby, we're older, My get up and go is gone But when I see you walking down the street Them buns still turn me on! REFRAIN
There is an interesting story about the origin of the song. Nancy Schimmel, daughter of that terrific 50s-60s folk-songwriter Malvina Reynolds, tells us that the lyrics of the refrain and the original (first three) verses were written by her mother, Malvina Reynolds, at Lou's request. Nancy adds this fascinating tidbit:
Lou wrote the music, and gave the song the funniest spoken introduction I've ever heard for any song. Lou introduced Vikki Dougan as his because it made a better introduction, and I think Mom appreciated that too. Lou added the last verse much later. Every once in a while Lou would ask Mom for lyrics, either for a hot subject, such as Vikki Dougan, or more often to fit an old tune he liked. She also wrote singable translations of some folksongs. As I remember, Lou and Mal copyrighted their collaborations under the pseudonym "Cal Grigsby. Continuing the family tradition, I wrote the words to "A Million a Day" and Lou wrote the music."
Last update: March 20, 1998