Transfusion

Album: Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection (1956)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This novelty hit tells the story of a man who keeps getting in automobile accidents from careless driving, and being glad to receive blood transfusions after each accident.
  • Every stanza begins with the line "Never never never gonna speed again" then he uses alliteration in lines such as "Slip some blood in me, bud" and "Pour some crimson in me, Jimson. After each verse, there is a graphic noise of a real car accident.
  • Due to the humorous tone of a very serious subject, this song was banned from many different radio stations in the 1950s. But a DJ named Barry Hansen kept playing it on his radio station, which resulted in him getting the nick name "Dr. Demento."
  • The song was reviewed by Melvin Belli, a personal-injury lawyer, in his 1956 book Ready for the Plaintiff, and he remarks: "The ghoulish lyrics hiccup hysterically" but "wind up with a gem of jive-y wisdom that is strictly in the groove: 'Oh, barnyard drivers are found in two classes / Line-crowding hogs and speeding jackasses / So remember to slow down today!'" He was a truck driver before his fame rose, which is ironic. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Landon - Winchester, OH, for all above
  • Nervous Norvus was Jimmy Drake, who specialized in novelty songs. He had another hit in 1956 with "Ape Call."

Comments: 4

  • Tommy K from Nvevery time I go to the hospital for a regular transfusion,
    I sing it for the nurses, they love it!
  • Peter Malcolmson from MiPlease note that the related phrase "shoot the talcum to me, Malcolm" was used in a song by Virginia O'Brien in the 1941 Marx Brothers film "The Big Store".
  • Jdzyn from TennesseeAlliteration is when a string of words share similar starting sounds. This song uses simple rhyme in its lines.
  • Sandy from Enterprise, Flmy dad used to love this song when I was a kid! I can still hear him singing along! "Slip some juice to me, Bruce!" Thank you for giving me the facts behind the song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.