[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Dick Dale — Miserlou
Album: King of the Surf Guitar
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4068









Released: 1962
Length: 2:11
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(Instrumental)
Comments (257)add comment
 sjccroquet wrote:
Η ελληνική γλώσσα δεν έχει τόσες πολλές λέξεις

Sorry, I like Greek and Dick Dale, so I probably like you, too, but Greek does not have five million words, or even half a million. And how could a language have 70 million types of words if it has 5 million words - think about that for a moment.

This does not mean that Greek is any less-rich than any other language; it is a beautiful language with a remarkable history and outsized influenced.


"Greek is considered the richest language in the world, with 5 million words and 70 million word types."

https://greekcitytimes.com/202...
 kcar wrote:





Wrong scene.
 kyriakos1 wrote:

After watching pulp fiction I went along to find out more about this tune, only to find that it had a long history dating back to 1955 with a guitar cover of the original song that dates back to the year 1927 from a Greek musician.

Original Greek name of song is 'Μισιρλού'. Apparently, misirlou means the girl from egypt. I speak Greek but the meaning of Misirlou was unknown to me.
Then again sometimes it feels impossible knowing Greek.
Unrelated fact: Guinness book of records says the Greek language is ranked as the richest in the world with 5 million words and 70 million word types!

Search on Youtube the following words to find the original version:
The original Misirlou - Μισιρλού (Τέτος Δημητριάδης -1927)

Η ελληνική γλώσσα δεν έχει τόσες πολλές λέξεις

Sorry, I like Greek and Dick Dale, so I probably like you, too, but Greek does not have five million words, or even half a million. And how could a language have 70 million types of words if it has 5 million words - think about that for a moment.

This does not mean that Greek is any less-rich than any other language; it is a beautiful language with a remarkable history and outsized influenced.
 ognjensea9 wrote:

Instant flashback to Pulp Fiction



nice keyboard action, also.
Hella difficult to play on guitar! Trust me, i'm still trying...despite that I play the guitar for more than 20 years.
Oh my, I remember first hearing this back in the early 60's - wonderful memories of much better times. 

And what a history this track has, goes back  to 1927 in the Eastern Mediterranean.

❤️



 Alpine wrote:

Excuse me while I surf on my desk!




LOL!   
Reminds me of Lake Michigan surfing.  If we were within 100 yd of the river mouth the Coast Guard would motor out through 6' -- 8' junky surf in their 23' 'rollover' boat to tell us that we couldn't "do that" because it was "too rough".  Since we were off-duty (because we were the only ones in the water) lifeguards surfing the beach we guarded, we always able to convince the Coasties we weren't likely to drown.  They already knew that, but they used us as a reason to play in their crazy rough-water boat.  That boat could take anything, even complete roll-overs, and keep right on going. 












































































































































































































I just wanted to be the trumpet player and watch Dale go!


Posted 4 months ago by giammin:i cant believe this gem has been hidden till pulp fiction

Before The Beatles arrived in the USA in February of 1964, Surf Music was the dominant musical format. It started in about 1959, mostly instrumental, some with vocals. It is a fantastic musical genre, overshadowed by the musical and social developments of the '60s.
I t is even better now, in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC! Thanx RP!   
GODLIKE!!! ICONIC!!!
oooh

this is peppy

we need more peppy songs


 eileenomurphy wrote:

ICONIC!!!!!!!!!!




STILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
ICONIC!!!!!!!!!!
i cant believe this gem has been hidden till pulp fiction
 tazmondpembroke wrote:

Aw shucks Surfer Dudes. Pulp Fiction would not have been a great movie without this. An alltime righteous dance scene that oozes cool. "Misirlou' was originally a 40's standard from Greece. Dale played left handed on an upside down Strat. Check out the speed metal ferocity of "Tribal Thunder" from 1993.



I believe Dick played left-handed strats., which are the right way up for left handers. Custom made. He strung them upside down as if they were to played by right-handers. So all the notes & chord shapes are reversed.  A few other great guitarists have done the same,  Albert King & Otis Rush to name a couple.
I play the same way. It's a crazy, novel way of playing which earns fascination from guitar fans when I play gigs. It also attracts scorn from "real" guitarists.
After watching pulp fiction I went along to find out more about this tune, only to find that it had a long history dating back to 1955 with a guitar cover of the original song that dates back to the year 1927 from a Greek musician.

Original Greek name of song is 'Μισιρλού'. Apparently, misirlou means the girl from egypt. I speak Greek but the meaning of Misirlou was unknown to me.
Then again sometimes it feels impossible knowing Greek.
Unrelated fact: Guinness book of records says the Greek language is ranked as the richest in the world with 5 million words and 70 million word types!

Search on Youtube the following words to find the original version:
The original Misirlou - Μισιρλού (Τέτος Δημητριάδης -1927)
What an outstanding classic✌️
Dick Dale was a "neighbor" in Wonder Valley, CA.  The King of the Surf Guitar!  He is missed.
Too frenetic.  I only want to hear this every other year or so.
I'd rather listen to the Mahavishnu Orchestra if I want some 'frenetic'.
How on God's green Earth could you hear this and not think "SURF"!
Saw Dick do a live show just a few years ago in a small venue with maybe 100 people.  It was an awesome experience to see such a legend just feet from the stage. 
listening on the rock mix channel and listened to Godzilla by Blue Oyster Cult then to
this surf classic; Image that came to mind was Godzilla chasing down a surf dude like an orca chasing a seal on a beach. LOL
 cavemanleong wrote:
{#Dancingbanana_2} And just like that I can picture Marsellus Wallace bent over the table. "Bring out the gimp!"
 
Because THATS the party scene?


 pawelcitak83 wrote:
Sounds like Tarantino to me :)
 
No, Tarantino movies sound like this.
 floydpink wrote:
Rip Mr Dale
 
Genius
 tazmondpembroke wrote:
Aw shucks Surfer Dudes. Pulp Fiction would not have been a great movie without this. An alltime righteous dance scene that oozes cool. "Misirlou' was originally a 40's standard from Greece. Dale played left handed on an upside down Strat. Check out the speed metal ferocity of "Tribal Thunder" from 1993.
 
Very True! ...Thank You for the history!
Great tune! ...I love the sound of the "twang" of the spring reverb on the guitar!!!
We happy? YES, we happy!
Aw shucks Surfer Dudes. Pulp Fiction would not have been a great movie without this. An alltime righteous dance scene that oozes cool. "Misirlou' was originally a 40's standard from Greece. Dale played left handed on an upside down Strat. Check out the speed metal ferocity of "Tribal Thunder" from 1993.
Long Live                                                                                                                         Radio Paradise
Thank you Dick Dale Miserlou       rating to me is                                               9-OUTSTANDING
Somebody's calling me up again - Awesome Surf Guitar. Why isn't there more music like this?
Rip Mr Dale
Dick Dale is a legend and he is missed!
May 4, 1937 - March 16, 2019: Dick Dale dead at 81. Thanks for all the good music. RIP
Instant flashback to Pulp Fiction
Thought someone was calling my phone!
Sounds like Tarantino to me :)
 ElainaEast wrote:
Interesting article on the origins of Miserlou https://folkdancefootnotes.org...
 
Yep, and according to Wikipedia:

"Due to his Arab heritage, he also had a strong interest in Arabic music, which later played a major role in his development of surf rock music"


Interesting article on the origins of Miserlou https://folkdancefootnotes.org...
So awesome it hurts!
Dick was challenged to play a song on one string. Lo and behold, we have Miserlou.
{#Dancingbanana_2} And just like that I can picture Marsellus Wallace bent over the table. "Bring out the gimp!"
Party-time dammit where's that lil roach and a lager woooo-hooo!!!
Still rocks! Must have been a real mind-blower back in the day! O'Dell's Mountain Standard Black IPA, killer weed; Standard Orbit, Sir!
Dick Dale = HERO

Thank you  Dick Dale
for Miserlou

to me 9 -Outstanding


Can't get the thought of Vin Rhames bent over by Zed out of my head....damn...cool tune tho
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Well that was fast and quick.....my wife knows that stuff.
 kcar wrote:

Radiohead "Decks Dark"  —>   Dick Dale "Miserlou"   

A welcome boost in energy level...

 
did it again tonight, nice

Radiohead "Decks Dark"  —>   Dick Dale "Miserlou"   

A welcome boost in energy level...
Legendary. Period.
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I wish I could move my hips like I used to...

  

The older I get the better I was..
 ceicilbee wrote:
i thought it was spelled "misirlou"

 
It should be. Typo on RP I think.
 PhoenixArtDj wrote:
Is this the highest rated song on RP? Just curious.

 
still far from Beethoven

https://www.radioparadise.com/rp_2.php?#name=songinfo&song_id=37971 
 PhoenixArtDj wrote:
Is this the highest rated song on RP? Just curious.

The Rolling Stones — Paint It Black has 9 avg. So the answer is nope.
https://www.radioparadise.com/rp_2.php?#name=songinfo&song_id=39991
Is this the highest rated song on RP? Just curious.
Great song!

PSD? 
Can't wait... May 7 MIM Phoenix
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I wish I could move my hips like I used to...

 
My new favorite song comment...
i thought it was spelled "misirlou"
 pinem wrote:
 Why does the old stuff usually bring skewed ratings, generally 3-4 higher than deserved; seriously would you want to hear some of these old songs all day long? I give this a generous 5; it's even worse with big band offerings from the pre-50's years. jmo

 
Considering most of the tunes you've rated at 9 or 10 are more than forty years old, it seems you prefer listening to "old songs".
Epic stuff {#Bananajam}
 rgabriel wrote:
I was almost sure this is Black Eyed Peas - Pump It!  {#Drool}

 
well, it is, they just play this then jump around spouting shite in repetition over the top.   Concider this the proper version and the BEP version a rip off they did after watching a Tarantino movie with a bag of ice.


I wish I could move my hips like I used to...
I was almost sure this is Black Eyed Peas - Pump It!  {#Drool}
 aspicer wrote:
Is it just me or are others getting a "double feed" of this song and the prior one STP - Big Empty - VERY weird...?!

 
Here too??
 aspicer wrote:
Is it just me or are others getting a "double feed" of this song and the prior one - VERY weird...?!

 
it's not just you—we got it, too. i reloaded the feed in iTunes and it seemed to fix itself. weird! our other thought was that bill was trying to desecrate the good name of dick dale by mashing him up with (ugh) stone temple pilots. wrong. so very wrong.
 aspicer wrote:
Is it just me or are others getting a "double feed" of this song and the prior one - VERY weird...?!

 


Is it just me or are others getting a "double feed" of this song and the prior one STP - Big Empty - VERY weird...?!
Definitely either a 9 or a 10. . .haven't had a new one of those in a while :-)
 Why does the old stuff usually bring skewed ratings, generally 3-4 higher than deserved; seriously would you want to hear some of these old songs all day long? I give this a generous 5; it's even worse with big band offerings from the pre-50's years. jmo
Vincent: All right. Well, you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup; I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer at McDonald's. And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?
Jules: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?
Vincent: Nah, man, they got the metric system. They wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is.
Jules: What do they call it?
Vincent: They call it a "Royale with cheese."
Jules: "Royale with Cheese."
Vincent: That's right.Jules: What do they call a Big Mac?
Vincent: A Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it "Le BigMac."
Jules: "Le Big Mac." What do they call a Whopper?
Vincent: I don't know, I didn't go in a Burger King.
Saw Dick Dale a few years ago - mind-blowing guitar skills and superb tone.  Great show!
 ce wrote:
To me, the really scary thing about the bullet-in-the-face bit was that it was FUNNY.
Especially the first time I saw it. It immediately worried me that I found it funny, even if it was from the surprise/shock in the scene.
And it is even more scary that we get used to this.

Great movie, though, even if it seems to be an ode to violence and not much else, it's performed very well. (Am I contradicting myself now?)
 
My ex (not ex at the time) encouraged me to watch this movie, but cautioned me about the bullet-in-the-face storyline because of some bad-Karma personal shit back in the day. 
 
I had the same reaction you did: "This is pretty funny; does that mean I am morally twisted?"  After watching the remainder of the movie, I decided there was a LOT of morally ambiguous stuff in there -- and that was the entire point of the movie.  So, no; neither you nor I am unusual in that respect.
 
It is an ode to violence and not much else, but so is a lot of visual entertainment these days.  What does that mean about our planet?  Got me.  I'm just wiggling to Dick Dale. 
I always expect to hear, "Jungle boogie" next.
Oh yeah! thanks Bill!
SURFS UP...{#Good-vibes}
 Jules: There's a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you." Now... I been sayin' that shit for years. And if you ever heard it, that meant your ass. You'd be dead right now. I never gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was a cold-blooded thing to say to a motherfucker before I popped a cap in his ass. But I saw some shit this mornin' made me think twice. See, now I'm thinking: maybe it means you're the evil man. And I'm the righteous man. And Mr. 9mm here... he's the shepherd protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness. Or it could mean you're the righteous man and I'm the shepherd and it's the world that's evil and selfish. And I'd like that. But that shit ain't the truth. The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.
 kingart wrote:
It seems both goofy and ahead of its time. If that's possible. 

 


Much like Colbert. And Miracle Whip. 

Stephen Colbert on TV 
 jpapagelis wrote:
Το τραγούδι αυτό είναι ελληνικό, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misirlou
I love it in all versions

One of the first is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6qGy3RtwY

Ten points !!!




Thanks for the info! There is a Serbian version of this song (as an old folk song), but I didn't know about its origin.


 PhoenixArtDj wrote:
Name a song that blends legendary guitar, those horns, and a piano all while making you want to cut a rug, ride a wave or watch Pulp Fiction...do it! I dare you!

 

 I've walked through life since a young boy with the thought that "There is always a faster gun".
 You sir, are a "faster gun" as many of PR's listeners are.
A good eye (and ear) you have.
Rock On
 bachbeet wrote:
Always liked this song.  Don't agree with the average 8.6 rating though.
 
It came out in '62.  Think about how many buckets of kick-ass this contains compared to the other songs of that era.

Dick was an instrumental visionary - the guitar equivalent to Lennon/McCartney and Brian Wilson's songwriting.
Name a song that blends legendary guitar, those horns, and a piano all while making you want to cut a rug, ride a wave or watch Pulp Fiction...do it! I dare you!
 Jacob_Kalkan wrote:
I can play this on saw
 
I can't even sing it in the shower. Am not used to the chord changes. What a wonderful, evocative and fun piece, and lovely to know it is so internationally loved.
A god walks amongst us!

Interesting that there's not a single rating of less than 6!
Ties in nicely with the latest offering from MrTarrentino
MORE!
It seems both goofy and ahead of its time. If that's possible. 
Always liked this song.  Don't agree with the average 8.6 rating though.
Το τραγούδι αυτό είναι ελληνικό, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misirlou
I love it in all versions

One of the first is  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6qGy3RtwY

Ten points !!!


Wow.. just wow. Nothing less, nothing more.
I can play this on saw
Wow! Two (count 'em!) Dick Dale tunes this morning! Bill must be getting his jammies on...
 fingerpin wrote:

the teen and twenties crowd no doubt recognize it from Guitar Hero. :)
 
does GH reverse the strings so you have to cord like Dick?
(for those who didn't know, Dale has his strings 'upside down', Bass on the bottom....)
Our marching band in high school did this song, or at least a slightly altered version of it.  I always liked it and it wasn't until years later that I heard the original.  
 scraig wrote:
CAKE should totally do a cover of this.
 
Oh, yeah, I can hear that now!

BEP borrowed this too 
 vito1975 wrote:
Anyone heard the 2 CELLOS cover? Awsome!

 
what? that would be awesome. i'm going to have to look that up. thanks!
The ultimate!!!   Does the rating go up to 11?!
Anyone heard the 2 CELLOS cover? Awsome!

CAKE should totally do a cover of this.
I use this tune as a ringtone for my cellphone: GREAT!
BTW: Great movie too!!

Always a great show to see. Gonna see him next week...
I FEEL 18 AGAIN!
 aaronm wrote:
Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction
 
Hamburgers! The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast!   Mmmm! That is one tasty burger!

Gotta follow it with Jungle Boogie.
 cc_rider wrote:
Might not be because of your ring tone...

Just sayin'...
 
Yeah I know, thought of that..................
I'm in the mood for a Royale with Cheese.
 oldman wrote:
Have this as my "Ring Tone" on my iPhone
interesting, who recognizes the song when it rings
the older age group, recognizes it as "Miserlou"
The 30's to 40's crowd, recognizes it as the song from Pulp Fiction
the teen and twenties crowd just looks at me strange{#Tongue}
 
the teen and twenties crowd no doubt recognize it from Guitar Hero. :)
Chantays and Pyramids, too!
Baha by the Astronauts.

One of the best. 
 sirdroseph wrote:
Love the surfin tunes however you should play more obscure surfin tunes.
  Yes indeed:

The Aqua Velvets
The Mermen
man or Astro Man?
Laika and the Cosmonauts
The Sandblasters
Pollo Del Mar
Wheelie McSidewalk and the Ball Bearings
The Sir Finks

et al...


Love it, and I love Quentin - he is a god, evil but god...anyway did you hear besides US Tarantino has biggest fans group in the Czech Republic....interesting, such a peaceful nation
Love the surfin tunes however you should play more obscure surfin tunes.