About the song
Today, we set our sights on a curiously titled song, “Burma Shave” by the legendary Everly Brothers. Now, this isn’t your typical rock and roll ballad or heart-wrenching country croon. This one takes a more playful, almost theatrical approach, and its roots lie not on the radio waves, but on the open roads of the United States.
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See, back in the mid-20th century, American highways were a canvas for a unique and highly effective advertising campaign. Burma Shave, a brushless shaving cream brand, opted for a series of roadside signs, typically six in number, that unfolded a short, rhyming message.
These signs, often painted red with white lettering, became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the attention of weary travelers with their witty wordplay.
The Everly Brothers, those smooth-voiced harmonizers who rose to fame in the late 1950s, couldn’t resist the allure of this pop-culture icon. “Burma Shave” became their tongue-in-cheek tribute to the iconic signs, a playful ode to a bygone era of roadside advertising.
Now, one might wonder how a song translates a visual advertising campaign. Well, the Everly Brothers, with their signature close harmonies and knack for storytelling, weave a narrative that perfectly captures the essence of those Burma Shave signs.
Imagine yourself cruising down a dusty highway, the radio crackling with static. Suddenly, a pop of color catches your eye – a red sign with a few cryptic words. Then another, and another, the message slowly unfolding like a roadside riddle.
“Burma Shave” replicates this experience. The song is structured with short, punchy verses, each delivered in the Everly Brothers’ signature close harmonies. The verses themselves are nonsensical rhymes that evoke the playful spirit of the Burma Shave signs.
We hear about a fellow named Willie who doesn’t dress well but shaves well, and Pappy, a man of questionable intelligence who nonetheless keeps his ladies happy, all delivered with a wink and a nudge.
However, beneath the surface of this seemingly lighthearted song lies a deeper appreciation for American ingenuity and the power of advertising. The Burma Shave campaign, with its simple rhymes and roadside presence, became a testament to the effectiveness of creative marketing. The Everly Brothers, by capturing this essence in “Burma Shave”, not only pay homage to a cultural icon but also remind us of the power of a well-crafted message.
So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be transported to a simpler time, a time of open roads, catchy jingles, and a good, close shave, all thanks to the delightful “Burma Shave” by the Everly Brothers.