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The Legendary
Bobby Darin
Pop Culture References
Below are some references made to
Bobby Darin in popular culture.
Also, check the Soundtrack page for more references.
Movies
Mr. Hobbs Takes
a Vacation: In this 1962 movie starring Jimmy
Stewart, close to the end of the movie a boy named Joe gives Katie a Bobby Darin album.
You don't see the album very well, but he does say, "Bobby Darin album."
(Thanks to Kylie
Lords for this information.)
Cop-Out: In
this 1967 drama, also known as "A Stranger in the House," Bobby starred with James Mason and Geraldine Chaplin.
This photo of Bobby was spotted at a Fuddruckers Restaurant
in Newport News, VA.
(Thanks to Jeff Zimmer for this information.)
It Happened at the
World's Fair: This 1963 movie starring Elvis Presley briefly features
Bobby Darin's Dream Car. The film was shot on location at the Exposition Grounds of Seattle's Century 21
Exposition in 1962. Early on in the movie Elvis is walking around the fairgrounds pointing out several
exhibits to the little girl. Elvis pauses for a minute in front of Bobby's car and says to the little
girl, "This is the Dream Car."
I [Lorraine] called Andy DiDia to verify what I had seen in the movie and he said, "Yes, Bobby drove the car
to the
Seattle World's Fair and he was also there."
Bobby and Elvis were performing in Vegas, and were friends. It certainly appears that Elvis wanted to recognize Bobby's car at this
famous World's Fair. Of course Bobby's car drew excitement at the Century 21 Exposition and
the movie title is perfect because "It
Happened at the World's Fair."
(Thanks to Lorraine Tillett and Andy DiDia for this information.)
How About You:
In this 2007 movie, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Bobby's song "How About You"
plays
during the opening credits. (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Edwina Halsey for this information.)
Kiss Me, Stupid:
In this 1964 movie, starring Dean Martin and produced by Billy Wilder, a wife tells Dean (playing himself) that a
song her husband wrote would be better sung by Bobby Darin, Elvis or the Beatles rather than Dean.
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
Air Bud:
In this 1997 movie, directed by Charles Martin Smith and starring Michael Jeters and Kevin Zegers,
a lonely
boy befriends a stray dog and when he gets the dog in the tub for a bath the song "Splish Splash"
begins. (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
French
Kiss: In this 1995
comedy, directed by Lawrence Kasdan, star Meg Ryan's character tells co-star Kevin
Kline's character ...
"Sing that Bobby Darin song, you know the one."
("Beyond the Sea")
Return to Me: In this 2000
comedy/drama, directed by Bonnie Hunt, co-star Robert Loggia's character comments
on the current state
of male singers saying ... "We had Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Perry Como,
Bobby Darin,
etc."
(Thanks to Bill Coppola for this information.)
Prey
for Rock & Roll: In this 2003
drama, directed by Alex Steyermark, star Gina Gershon's character tries to
console a band
member by telling her she ...
"listens to Bobby Darin and enters a sort of protective bubble."
Shark
Tale: In this 2004
animated comedy, Sykes (voiced by Martin Scorsese) sings/talks the line ...
"Oh, the
shark bites, first, dear."
Television
November 2011 PBS aired a special "Judy Garland Duets." The second number was Judy and Bobby Darin
performing a medley of traveling songs aboard a train from her 1960's television show. This video has been
on YouTube.
(Thanks to Chris Chambers for this information.)
Pan Am: During the 10/23/11 episode #5 "One Coin in a Fountain," Bobby is heard
singing again! This time it's
"Call Me Irresponsible." You can watch the full
episode here. Bobby's song is at the 33.16 mark,
towards the end of the show. (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
Pan Am: 45 minutes into this premiere episode of ABC's series, airing
September 25, 2011, Bobby is heard singing "Fabulous Places".
Then, "Mack the Knife" is heard throughout the ending scenes.
(Thanks to Steve Blauner and Jimmy Scalia for this information.)
Saturday Night Live: In a skit, airing September 24, 2011, Alec Baldwin is
seen playing Tony Bennett and mentions Bobby twice.
(Thanks to Nicolle Houseman for this information.)
Family Ties: In season 6, episode 25 called "The Boys Next Door" they mention
Bobby's songs "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover." Elyse Keaton and her old
high school friend, "Eggy," perform "Splish Splash" at their high school
reunion.
(Thanks to Kylie Lords for this information.)
Breakout Kings: On May 30, 2011 during the season finale of Bobby is heard
singing "Sunday In New York." You
can catch it in the back ground at the very
end of the show.
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
Happy
Days: In the episode "Smoking Ain't Cool" when Joanie takes up smoking Fonzie goes to her bedroom to talk
to her. After he notices an Elvis poster on the wall he sees a poster of Bobby Darin and says,
"Bobby Darin! Splish Splash ..." and snaps his fingers. It can be seen
on youtube. Search for Happy Days Smoking Ain't Cool Part 3. It
takes place at about the 23 second point of
the clip.
(Thanks to Mike Avilla for this information.)
In 2010 NETWORK video in the UK issued a 3 DVD set of SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM. This set
includes Bobby's complete performance from April 1960 (3 songs). This is a PAL Format and plays only
in Region 2. This DVD may not be viewable outside of Europe. It is available
at
Amazon UK.
(Thanks to Tony Cooper, Su Cote and to Steve for this information.)
In 2010 PBS ran John Sebastian Presents: Folk Rewind (My Music).
There is a clip of Bobby singing "Simple Song of
Freedom." Bobby is wearing his trademark tux and the clip is of the entire
song. (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Roz Kahl for this information.)
In 2010 Fonterra, the New Zealand dairy company, is running an advertisement for Anchor
milk that features Bobby's "Long Line Rider." It is an excellent ad
and will no doubt have a reasonably long life promoting a little known Darin
song.
Click here to watch the
commercial.
(Thanks to Tony MacLeod for this information.)
In 1997 HBO ran a special called 50 Years of
Television. The show is divided into segments. In the variety show segment, there is a short black and
white clip of Bobby dancing.
(Thanks to Mandy Turner for this information.)
In 1976 NBC ran a special called The First 50
Years. A black and white clip of Bobby was shown during the singers segment. It was from 1959 and
showed Bobby snapping his fingers and singing part of "Mack the Knife".
(Thanks to Mandy Turner for this information.)
In the late 1980's Drano ran a television commercial, created by Bill Herman and Linda Uellendahl,
using the music
to "Splish Splash." Click here
to watch the commercial and hear the changes to the lyrics. You will need Quick Time
to view it.
(Thanks to Pablo Pelegrin and Susan Schooley for this information.)
CBS Sunday Morning:
On 2/14/10 Sunday Morning did a Valentine piece on couples who have been together for many years. In
the background they played Bobby's "It Had to Be You" from
his Love Swings album.
(Thanks to Linda Padulo for this information.)
Over the New Year's weekend, a Time Life Music commercial
aired hosted by Bobby Goldsboro. The collection was called Pop Memories of the 60's. In the center of
the display table, and featured prominently throughout the ad, were
two items accentuating Bobby Darin. One was the
album cover with Bobby's face. The other was a book opened to
a page with Bobby's description.
White Collar:
During the pilot episode of White Collar, a new 2009 USA TV show starring Tim DeKay and Matthew Bomer,
some of Bobby's version of "The Good Life" is played.
(Lyrics)
Steve Blauner has asked, if you can, please contact them and
ask, "Who is singing the song and where can I buy
the recording?" Thanks to all of you, for helping to keep Bobby's
name and music out there!!
(Thanks to Jimmy Scalia and Steve Blauner for this information.)
The View:
When members of The View were discussing the Michael Jackson memorial, Whoopi Goldberg said,
"When he
(Michael Jackson) performed ... it was ... that's what you wanted to aspire too ... if you wanted to perform ...
you know ... like Bobby Darin was a performer ... like Sinatra was a performer."
(Thanks to Kerry and Susan Schooley for this information.)
"If they
give you any trouble, tell them you're Bobby Darin or somebody."
(Audio)
Leave It
to Beaver: On an episode
entitled "Wally’s Dinner Date," broadcast in approximately 1961, Wally
was
going to take a girl to a very expensive, high class restaurant.
He was worried about how much it would cost though,
so Beaver suggested
that he just call the place and find out. Then Eddie chimed in and said,
"If they give you any trouble, tell 'em you're Bobby Darin or somebody."
In another episode also airing in
approximately
1961, Wally was talking about listening to records over at a girl's
house. He said that her father was in the other room and every time
they would put on a Frankie Avalon or Bobby
Darin record, he would
start coughing. But when they'd put on Guy Mitchell, he wouldn't make
a sound.
In another episode, sometime in 1961,
Eddie Haskell was telling Beaver that if he wanted to be a big shot
he had to
act like one, " ... like Elvis or Frankie or Bobby Darin." We
believe this episode is #210 "Beaver, the Hero."
(Thanks to Katie Hasbrouck for these 3 entries.)
Bobby's name was mentioned in an episode
called "Don Juan Beaver" that originally aired on May 2,
1963. Beaver
had been talking to a girl on the
phone while the rest of the family was waiting for him to come to dinner. When he
finally
entered the dining room, his brother said something along the lines of, "What's kept you
on the phone all this
time, Bobby Darin?"
(Thanks to Amber Cover for this information.)
The
Dick Van Dyke Show: On episode number 54 entitled "The Sam
Pomerantz Scandals" that aired March 6,
1963, Rob, Laura, Buddy and
Sally were visiting a friend who worked at a resort. They asked their
friend to do his
impressions of famous people. When asked to do Bobby
Darin, he snapped his fingers.
"Bobby
Darin here just brought down the house!"
(Audio)
The
Munsters: On an episode entitled "Munster the Magnificent" which aired May 13,
1965, Eddie volunteered
Herman to entertain at the school talent show. Herman was worried he would not be able to perform
but sang and played the family pipe organ literally destroying the house. When wife Lily came in the room and asked
what happened, Grandpa said sarcastically, "Bobby Darin here just brought down the house!"
The
Monkees: On the episode entitled "Monkees at the
Movies," airing 1966 (?), the guys are trying to get Davy a
role by using his record
(actually it is one of Davy's before the Monkees). Peter is trying to get
Davy's album from
Mike by offering many including "... and the prize of my
collection, Bobby Darin sings his bank book."
(Thanks to Stefanie Hasel for this information.)
Dark Shadows:
In episode 213 which aired on April 20, 1967 an instrumental version of Bobby's "I'll Be There" can
be
heard playing in the background during the show. The scene in which the song can be heard takes place at the
local bar. Carolyn Stoddard and Burke Devlin are talking about their past relationship, which has ended because
Carolyn found out that Burke was using her to hurt her family. The song plays while Burke apologizes to Carolyn
for what he has done. (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Amber for this information.)
Saturday
Night Live: In this episode broadcast October 11, 1975
Bobby's "Mack the Knife" played over the opening title of the comedy skit, "Victims of Shark Bite," starring
Jane Curtin and John Belushi.
(Thanks to Maureen for this information.)
Happy
Days: In episode number 35 entitled "Fonzie Joins the Band" which
aired March 4, 1975, Potsie sings and the band plays Bobby's "Splish Splash"
in the Cunningham garage. Later, they perform the song again at the Leopard Lodge dance.
In episode number 123 entitled "Fearless Malph" which aired October 24,
1978, Bobby's "Splish Splash" is playing
on the jukebox at Arnold's. (Lyrics)
In episode number 165 entitled "A Potsie Is Born," which aired March 11, 1980, Potsie and the band
perform Bobby's "Mack the Knife" at an audition for a club
engagement. (Lyrics)
"Oh the
shark bites..." (Audio)
Growing Pains: Sometime in late
80's or early 90's in this situation comedy, Alan Thicke's character performed
at some sort of musical show or benefit and sang Bobby's "Mack the Knife." (Lyrics)
McDonalds: In the late 1980's a character that was based on Bobby's
"Mack the Knife" called "Mac Tonite" was featured in several commercials for the fast food chain. Many Happy Meal collectible toys were
produced of the character. ("Make it Mac tonite!")
Laverne and Shirley: Throughout
the run of this 1976-1983 ABC situation comedy, Mr. Darin's picture
had a special place in the background on Laverne and Shirley's bedroom
wall. This was noticed most specifically on the 1982 episode, "Watch
the Fur Fly." ( See picture from scene.)
This was a popular promotional photo of Bobby (seen as a poster on this
show) and was most recently used for the 1999 Collectors' Choice CD,
Unreleased Capitol Sides.
X-Files: In an episode
that was broadcast July 1, 1994 entitled "Beyond the Sea"
Bobby's song plays a major role
in the plot.
Seinfeld: In the episode
"The Checks" broadcast November 7, 1996, Jerry receives residual checks from his
Japanese TV appearance. The Japanese businessmen get stuck in Kramer's dresser drawers and Elaine's new boyfriend is obsessed with the song "Desperado."
While Jerry and George are sitting in the coffee shop Kramer
walks in dressed to the nines and Jerry says, "W-e-l-l, Macky's back."
Touched by an Angel: In the episode
"Into the Light" that was broadcast November 17, 1996, Kirsten Dunst plays a teenager named Amy Ann McCoy
hospitalized with cystic fibrosis. (She's a HUGE Elvis fan.) David Marciano plays a man named James Block with a
heart condition. He is a huge Bobby Darin fan. He says to Amy, "I got the music for your birthday party."
Amy responds, "I think we have all the Elvis CDs we need." To which James replies, "Oh no -- I have some Bobby
Darin records." Amy asks, "Who's Bobby Darin?" James responds, "Only the best singer in the world."
(Thanks to Deirdre Staunton for this information.)
ER: In an episode entitled "Whose
Appy Now?" which aired February 6, 1997, Dr. Carter removed Dr. Benton's appendix. Bobby's "Mack the
Knife" was heard in the background. Dr. Carter sang along with it. (Lyrics)
Millennium -- Season 2:
In episode number 2
entitled "Beware of the Dog" which aired September 26, 1997,
Bobby's "As Long As I'm Singin'" plays on a portable CD player as Frank Black looks over crime scene photos on his computer. The scene
changes
to Frank in his car driving to the crime scene, and the song is amplified on the soundtrack as he listens to it in
the car.
(From fourthhorseman.com: 'This episode introduced viewers to Frank Black's penchant for the music of singer Bobby Darin. On the
musical choice Glen Morgan commented, "Lance doesn't quite understand, but it actually makes some upcoming scenes creepy."')
In episode number 3
entitled "Sense and Antisense" which aired October 3, 1997,
Bobby's "Gyp the Cat" plays while Frank Black gets undressed to take a shower and
discovers he may have been infected with a highly contagious virus.
In episode number 4
entitled "Monster" which aired October 17, 1997,
Bobby's "Goodbye Charlie" plays on Frank Black's portable CD player while on a plane trip.
In episode number 5
entitled "A Single Blade of Grass" which aired October 24, 1997,
there is no Bobby Darin song heard in the episode, but, nonetheless, he is
referred to in the script. The NYC coroner is listening to the band,
Squirrel Nut Zippers, as she prepares for an autopsy. Frank enters
the morgue, recognizes the music and asks if she likes Bobby.
Frank: "You by any chance into Bobby Darin?"
Coroner: "Oh yeah--Gidget Goes Hawaiian."
Frank: "No, that's James Darren."
In episode number 6
entitled "The Curse of Frank Black" which aired October
31, 1997, even though there are no
Bobby Darin songs on the episode's
soundtrack, he makes an appearance in the script. Frank Black tries,
repeatedly, to play a Bobby Darin CD in his car, but the player keeps
spitting it back out as unplayable. Frank: (frustrated) "C'mon, Bobby."
In episode number 11
entitled "Goodbye Charlie" which aired January 9, 1998,
the first time you hear the song in this episode, it is a karaoke version
that the character Steven Kiley sings along with.
This is the police station interrogation
of Steven Kiley by Frank Black and Lara Means.
Steven: "Bobby Darin was one swinging' cat. Either of you into Bobby?"
(Frank smiles and nods. Steven laughs.) "I knew it! But, y'know,
Bobby Darin changed his name ... He was born Walden Cassotto. (sighs) He
was sick his entire life. Had rheumatic fever when he was a child. They
didn't expect him to live past the age of 16."
Frank: "But if he'd called it quits when he was 16, there'd've been
no 'Mack the Knife' or" (sings) "somewhere 'Beyond the Sea'-- you know
that one. There would've been no Academy Award nomination for ... uh ..."
Steven: Captain Newman.
Frank: Captain Newman M.D.
Steven: "But, you see, he developed congestive heart disease. He
had multiple heart surgeries which, really, had no effect. So he made
a choice to stop having them -- knowing that he would not live much longer
after making that choice. He died--dignified, and remembered. At the
age of 37."
Later, at the end of the episode, Frank and Lara are in Frank's car
when
he starts it and the CD he had been playing starts up in the stereo.
It
is Bobby's version of "Goodbye Charlie."
Frank: "How else you gonna get to know a guy like that? Besides,
it's a cool song."
The camera pulls back, the car drives off into the distance, and the
song's volume increases and takes us into the show's credits.
From fourthhorseman.com: '"Even the late, lamented Bobby Darin fits
into
Morgan and Wong's storytelling model, his music acting as background
commentary
for the first third of the season before a sublime
sendoff-via-monologue in the tenth episode, 'Goodbye Charlie.'" -- Keith
Uhlich, Slant Magazine
In "The Turn of the Tide: Making of Season Two" documentary, the Millennium
music
composer, Mark Snow says: "Frank Black and Bobby Darin--I think it was a vehicle simply
to make
him (Frank), y'know, as much an Everyman as possible. To ground him.
To make
him seem normal. I think (Glen) Morgan and (James) Wong
(producers/writers) just love
Bobby Darin. Period. And that's--and
they
said, 'He's (Frank) gonna like it too. We like it;
he likes it.'"
(Special thanks to Carla MacDonald for compiling all this information!)
Chicago Hope: Sometime in 1997/98
Bobby's story of finding out his sister was really his mother was mentioned
in a storyline.
Will & Grace: On the September 21, 1998, first season pilot
entitled "Love and Marriage" ... Will, referring to watching pop-up video on
VH1, says to Grace, "Did you know that Fiona Apple doesn’t
even like apples, and Bobby Darin’s dog was named Fiona?"
(Thanks to Nicolle Houseman for this information.)
Frasier: Sometime in 1998/99, Frasier's
father (Martin Crane, played by John Mahoney) called up his girl and
asked
her to come over, claiming he had "Bobby Darin on the stereo."
Kohl's: During the Christmas
season of 2000, Bobby's "More" could be heard in this department store chain
Christmas commercials. (This was very short-lived. Bobby was soon replaced
by another singer's rendition.)
In April 2001 the HBO movie '61*,
plays Bobby's "Dream Lover" in the first few scenes.
(Lyrics)
(Thanks to Irma for this information.)
Ed: On an episode aired in May
2001, the story on NBC's Ed was about a "Vegas Night" and Bobby could
be heard singing "Beyond the Sea."
(Lyrics)
Family Guy: In an episode that was broadcast
November 28, 2001, the cartoon characters go into a hotel room.
One of them attempts to pull down a murphy bed which results in
the wall collapsing. An older couple is now
revealed in the next room. The wife says, "We're going to see Bobby Darin at the Copa
tomorrow night, right
Frank?" He responds, "Yep, Bobby Darin, tomorrow night!"
(Thanks to Mike Chilcott for this information)
The Sopranos: In a scene on a recent
episode of this HBO drama, in the private lounge of "Bada Bing," Bobby's
"I'll Remember April" was heard playing in the background.
(Thanks to Lois for this information.)
Walden Robert Cassotto was mentioned on the final episode of this series which aired on June
10, 2007. One of
Tony Soprano's workers was asked about his first name "Walden" and he answered back that he was named
after Bobby Darin, Walden Robert Cassotto!
(Thanks to Sarah Charbonneau for this information.)
A&E's Live by Request: In this A&E
special, "A Barry Manilow Christmas," which aired on December 5, 2003, Barry sings a great swinging arrangement of "There's No
Place Like Home for the Holidays." Barry begins snapping his fingers and a few bars into the song remarks, "I feel like ...
BOBBY DARIN!"
Bobby was featured in a Major League Baseball promotion for the July 11, 2006,
All Star Game. It was shown on
ESPN & the Fox Sport channel. The commercial featured LOTS of
Bobby's tune, "I'm Sitting on Top of the World!"
Bobby was
definitely not singing softly in the background on this one!!! And, a very COOL bonus ... You could clearly hear it when he said, "Go get 'em Billy!"
In August 2006 Bobby's song, "Don't Rain on My Parade" was featured in a UK
Terrestrial television commercial advertising Vauxhall cars. Thanks to David Hopper for this information; he reports that Bobby
sounds great on
his TV!
(Thanks to Glenn Miller for this information.)
Shark: On
September 21, 2006, in the premiere episode of this CBS series, Bobby's "Mack
the Knife" could be
heard during the opening scene.
(Lyrics)
In January 2007 there is a UK television program called Soapstar Superstar that has actors from the soap operas singing songs
every night for a week on prime time TV. One of them chose "Don't Rain on My Parade" and
the host actually announces the song as the Bobby Darin song, "Don't Rain on My Parade," plays at the beginning of the performance!
(Thanks to David Hopper for this information.)
Malcolm in the Middle:
In the episode, "Malcolm's Money" which aired on January 6,
2006 (Season 7, #10) Reese
is shown in a montage, enjoying himself
in an old people's home while Bobby's "I'm Sitting on Top of the
World" plays on the soundtrack.
(Thanks to Syra for this information.)
Quantum Leap:
In episode 3.6 "Miss Deep South" June 7, 1958,
Sam leaps into the body of a beauty pageant contestant.
In one scene, while the contestants are modeling their bathing
suits around the swimming pool, Bobby’s "Splish Splash" plays.
The episode originally aired on November 2, 1990.
(Unfortunately, on the Region 1 DVD release of the series,
this song, along with many others, was cut out and replaced
with generic background music. The song can still be heard
when the episode airs in syndication.) (Lyrics)
(Thanks to Amber Cover for this information.)
Music
In June of 2011 CMT aired a program featuring
a TimeLife
10-CD box set titled The
Teen Years which includes
Bobby's "Dream Lover." It was
hosted by Neil Sedaka. Neil mentions Bobby by name. Bobby is seen dancing,
sings a little bit of "Dream
Lover" (Lyrics) and his picture is shown throughout
the program.
(Thanks to Lorraine Tillett for this information.)
Roger McGuinn of the Byrds put out a live disc of his solo act (Live From Mars) a few
years back, which has a retrospective commentary about his career. This includes a story
and song from Roger’s time working in the Brill Building with Bobby Darin; "Beach Ball," a song he
recorded at Bobby’s urging, with Bobby sitting in on drums.
Roger credits Bobby as a mentor, especially regarding a professional
attitude and stage presence.
(Thanks to Bruce McNeely for this information.)
In November 2010, Flash Cadillac, a Rock N Roll band that appeared on
numerous TV shows including American Bandstand and in the films American Grafitti and Apocalypse
Now, performed a concert in Colorado. During the
show they performed "Queen of the Hop." They credited
Bobby Darin and asked the audience if they remembered
him. They also mentioned Bobby was one of their favorites.
He was the only artist that the band singled out during
this concert.
(Thanks to Susan Krokidis for this information.)
In 2010, the Tom Hagen/Cherie Lynn Trio, with Rick Reuther, performed
at the Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin, Michigan. Mr. Reuther sang several Bobby Darin hits and closed
the program with "Mack the Knife."
(Thanks to Don & Kathy Sutherland for this information.)
Many versions of "Mack the Knife" replace the standard
list of characters with a list of prior singers of the song. In
stead of "Jenny Diver, Sukey Tawdry,
Miss Lotte Lenya, and Ol' Lucy Brown," Ella Fitzgerald, on
Pure Ella:
The Very Best of Ella Fitzgerald , lists Louis Armstrong
and Bobby Darin. Frank Sinatra also does a listing of Armstrong, Darin, and Fitzgerald on
L.A. Is My Lady .
(Thanks to Warren Cancilla for this information.)
In 1974, the Righteous Brothers released
"Rock and Roll Heaven" with the line, "And Bobby gave us 'Mack
the Knife'...look out he's back in town."
In 1974, Johnny Rivers released the LP "The Road" that included the beautiful
ballad "Artists and Poets." The song, written
by Johnny Rivers and Michael Georgiades, was dedicated to Jim Croce, Gram Parsons and Bobby Darin.
"Now that he's gone, will his songs live on? Will someone remember what he gave?"
The 1995 Sony "Wonder"/CTW (Sesame Street) disc "Splish Splash: Bath Time
Fun" opens with Elmo singing a (slightly rewritten) version of "Splish
Splash".
The 2002 CD by folk singer songwriter Bob Wilders
titled John Wilders
has a song dedicated to Bobby called " The
Late Bobby Darin Blues."
(Thanks to Brygo at WCBC Newsroom.)
On June 28th 2005, John Stevens' new CD Red will be released. John is a fan and used Bobby's
quote "My goal is
to be remembered as a human being and as a great performer," on his CD packaging.
The song "I Dig Girls" by Bobby Rydell mentions two of Bobby's songs in the lyrics, "Dream Lover"
and "Plain Jane."
(Thanks to Mary for this information.)
The Who mention Bobby in the lyrics of "Mirror Song."
(Thanks to Beth Radtke for this information.)
On September 22, 2007, the University of Michigan Marching Band did a halftime show entitled Tribute to Bobby
Darin. The set
consisted of "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Beyond the Sea" and "Mack the Knife."
(Thanks to Dave McGill for this information.)
Stage
A Sentimental Journey: In this March 2010 musical
play about Doris Day, the character of Terry Melcher (Day's
son) played by Ian McLarnon
gives Bobby a mention. Terry worked with Bobby during his career as a songwriter
and record producer and the character
name checks Bobby as a co-songwriter. The play is currently running at
the Wilton's Music
Hall in London.
(Thanks to Yvonne Bourke for this information.)
Books
INSIDE THE DREAM -- by Jimmy Velvet (page 25)
This 2007 photographic memoir by Jimmy Velvet has two photos of Bobby, on page 25. As well as being a photographer, Jimmy was a singer
and contemporary of Bobby and other super stars. See a review of
the
book here.
(Thanks to Susan Schooley for this information.)
CUT: HOLLYWOOD, MURDERS, ACCIDENTS AND OTHER TRAGEDIES -- pages 68 & 69
In this 2005 release, published by Barron's and written by multiple authors, there is
a two page article about Bobby. There are 4 photos, 2 on each page. It is available on Amazon.
(Thanks to Su Cote for this information.)
THE CASTAWAYS -- by Elin Hilderbrand (pages 157, 159)
One of the main characters is at a party and. "A band played Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Boz Scaggs." Someone asks
this same girl to dance, she hesitates and he says, "They're playing 'Mack the Knife.'" She loved 'Mack the
Knife,'
she would dance."
(Thanks to Edwina Halsey for this information.)
THE MITFORD BEDSIDE COMPANION -- by Jan Karon (page 121)
A person is talking to an elderly lady who lives in a nursing home.
The friend has just made arrangements
for the
elderly woman's grandson to come from out-of-state to visit and
surprise his grandmother.
"Who you think is comin' t see you next week?"
"I don't know ... you, I guess."
"No, this goin t' be somebody special ..."
"You're special!"
"Yes maam but this be somebody handsome and young."
"I don't know anybody handsome and young."
"Yes maam you do. You try and think, now."
Miss Violet thought hard. "Bobby Darin!" she exclaimed ...
(Thanks to Ann Hopka this information.)
GONE BABY GONE -- by Dennis Lehane (pages 391-392)
"I followed him into his living room, where a book of crossword puzzles
sat open on the coffee table in between a
bottle of Jack Daniel's, a
half-full tumbler, and an ashtray. The TV was on, but muted, and Bobby
Darin sang "The
Good Life" from speakers set to whisper volume." ...
"None of us said anything, and Bobby Darin's silk vocal slid through the
room. I stood in the doorway with all that had
gone unspoken and
unconfronted in my friendship with Devin hanging between us as Darin sang
with a detached mourning for the unattainable, the gulf between what we
wish for and what we get."
(Thanks to Gail Glaze for this information.)
LIONBOY: The Chase -- by Zizou Corder (p. 66)
"So then he started singing all his favourite washing songs ('Splish Splash I was taking a
bath!')"
(Thanks to Michael Lowe for this information.)
FOR ONE MORE DAY -- by Mitch Albom
"The Melody Changes" (pages 45-46) ... We had a hi-fi, and one year for her birthday she
got an album by Bobby
Darin. He sang that tune, and she played the record after dinner as
she cleaned the dishes. ... But once my father
left, she never did again. The Bobby Darin
album stayed on the shelf. ...
"Chick Makes His Choice" (pages 129-131) ... “Hey! Wait! Look at this!” It was the Bobby
Darin album my mother
used to play when we were kids. He wore a white tuxedo on the
cover, his hair embarrassingly short and neat. She playfully snapped her fingers as I sang
Bobby Darin. ... The next day I called my mom ... I told her about Catherine
and the Bobby
Darin song. ...
(Thanks to Kanna Jones for this information.)
FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB -- by Kate Jacobs (p. 331)
But there was something enticing about the idea of waking up beside
Marty morning after morning, hearing him sing Bobby Darin hits in the
shower. She had to admit, there was something darn
nice about spending time with someone from the same generation.
(Thanks to Gail Glaze for this information.)
WHISTLING IN THE DARK -- by Lesley Kagen
(p. 149)
"Mr. Gary has very dreamy eyes," Troo said in her
sleepy voice, the one she got when she listened to Bobby Darin
on the
blue Motorola transistor radio that Mr. Gary brought us last year all
the way from California for no reason at all.
(This book takes place in 1959 and includes a
mention of "Splish
Splash" also, but only in reference to the song, not Bobby.
(Thanks to Roz Kahl for this information.)
CHRISTINE -- by Stephen King
(p. 279)
Then the music again, Bobby Darin singing "Splish-Splash,
"Ernie K-Doe singing "Mother-in-Law" ...
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
THE TALISMAN -- by Stephen King
(p. 585)
There's an old song which goes- "and the ground coughs up
some roots/wearing denim shirts and
boots/
haul em away... haul em away ...
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
IT -- by Stephen King
(p. 686)
Carl Perkins sings rock and roll, Bobby Darin,
Buddy Holly -- ah-ow Peggy Sue, my Peggy Suh-uh-
oo"
please Richard," Ben said ...
(Thanks to Kathy Bebej for this information.)
This page is far from complete and will
continue to be updated. If you know of any more references,
have anything
to add or correct, please send the information
here. Thanks!!
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