originally posted on 1/28/2022
“Roller Coaster
Love roller coaster child
Roller coaster
Lovin’ you is really wild
Your love is like a rollercoaster baby, baby
All you do is ride
Ride (take you high)
Your love is like a roller coaster baby
I wish to ride”
Roller coasters have been popping up in music for decades even before this 1975 funk mega-hit “Love Roller Coaster,” by the Ohio Players.
Video: Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
This phenomenon is not unexpected when you consider that the roller coaster has become a celebrated icon — so popular and so much a part of the fiber of our lives that the term “roller coaster” has entered our lexicon, even as an evocative metaphor for all the ups and downs in our existence. It is used to describe all manner of riding life’s and love’s dramatic peaks and valleys.
And it can be especially evocative when used in music. According to the “web’s largest resource for music, songs, and lyrics, lyrics.com,” there are over 5,600 song lyrics or titles containing the word(s) “roller coaster” (or “rollercoaster”).
For example, it is used lyrically way back in 1945 for the song “You Got Me Where You Want Me” (written by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer), sung by Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. They croon,
“You've got me where you want me …
One single look was all I took
And then, starry-eyed
I watched my poor old heart
Go on that roller coaster ride.”
Video: Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Actually, the first song titled “Love Roller Coaster” came along in 1957 sung by blues and early rhythm and blues great Big Joe Turner (written by Mort Shuman, Doc Pomus and Joe Turner), with these lyrics,
“Ride on the love roller coaster
My heart’s doin’ a loop a loop
It’s got a lot of power
Going a thousand miles an hour wee” …
You got me reeling
I ain’t telling no lie
Ride on the love roller coaster
I ain’t never coming down to earth
I’m going to stay up high.”
Video: Provided to YouTube by Rhino Atlantic
Do so with love.
— Randy Geisler
Help was offered by fellow coaster enthusiasts who know music: Frank Gordon, Frank Czuri, Gary Kyriazi and B. Derek Shaw.
Share your story about what songs with roller coaster lyrics you love in the comments.
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