It Was 1957, With Tomatoes a Dime a Pound

Tune: Richard A. Whiting's "Japanese Sandman"

It was 1957, with tomatoes a dime a pound:
Philadelphia was revvin' up to give us a brand-new sound.
Rock-and-roll was on the rise, but where in heaven was there a way
To communicate the word to every home in the U.S.A.?
—Dick Clark saved the day.

Here's American Bandstand
In its fiftieth year;
Folks, if you can still stand, stand
And give a spirited cheer.

Back before we got chunky,
When our hair was still brown,
Mr. Clark would get "funky,"
Get "it on" and get "down."

Now, we're all a bit older—
Everyone but Dick Clark—
But before we all molder,
Let me make a remark:

Pardon me if I grandstand,
But the music was gold
On American Bandstand,
Half a century old.