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Lyrics of the song "Frankfurt Special" (a passenger train)
from the movie G.I. Blues

 

This song should have become THE all-time Elvis classic, but, for reasons we don't understand, it never caught on. It was recorded in 1960 with the Jordanairs as back-up for use in both the movie and the "G.I. Blues" album. The rock beat is extreme up-tempo with excellent finger-picking guitar work and drum backing. Elvis sings like he really means it.

The "Frankfurt Special" is the songwriter's name for a supposed passenger train that ran from the Army bases in small towns to the "big city" of Frankfurt. In the film, it's the train that Elvis joyfully takes when his unit was reassigned from Friedberg for TDY at Edwards Kaserne in Frankfurt.

SPECIAL NOTE: To really appreciate this song, you have to see and hear the DVD. The lyrics by themselves, in plain text format, may seem unexciting or uninspiring. That is the case with most songs, including for example "Ave Maria" and the U.S. National Anthem.


 

"FRANKFURT SPECIAL"

[fast tempo]

Is this train the Frankfurt Special?
Now ain't this outfit something special?
Well, we heard rumors from the bases,
Frankfurt girls got pretty faces.

Go, Special go. Blow whistle, blow.
Frankfurt Special's got a special way to go.
Whooh - oh - oh. [drawn-out sound of a train whistle]

Now when we get to our headquarters,
We'll be good boys and follow orders,
Now don't take girls from one another,
No! No! No! No! No!
We'll treat a sailor like a brother.

Go, Special go. Blow whistle, blow,
Frankfurt Special's got a special way to go.
Whooh - oh - oh.

Round wheels singin' on a long flat track,
Boiler bustin' to blow its stack,
Towns and villages flyin' by,
Now little frauleins, don't you cry,
You'll soon be gettin' another G.I.

Come on, train, and get the lead out,
Well, one more day we gotta sweat out,
Frantic frauleins at the station,
They're ready for a celebration.

Go, Special go. Blow whistle, blow.
Frankfurt Special's got a special way to go.

Go, Special go. Blow whistle, blow.
Frankfurt Special's got a special way to go.
Whooh - oh - oh
Whooh - oh
Whooh - oh, whooh - oh, whooh - oh, whooh - ooooh.

[Repeat in its entirety, at least once.]



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