He's the Groove

"He's the Groove" is a 1980 novelty song by Snuky Tate, the stage persona^[1] of American funk and punk rock musician Lionel White. The song is about Pope John Paul II.^[2]

Concept

"He's the Groove" is a song which praises Pope John Paul II as being the groove and the man and no dope. It predicts that when he comes to town, everybody will get down. The lyrics are set over a danceable disco beat. At the time of its release, during the 1980 papal visit to the United States, a music video was created featuring White and his backing band performing the song, while archive footage of Pope John Paul II's public appearances intercuts the images.

Reception

When Frank Zappa was a guest in Dr. Demento's radio show he played this song as part of his DJ set. He told the host that he had met Snuky in New York City.^[3] Another fan of the song is James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco.^[4]

References

^ Steven Blush (2016). New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB (1st ed.). St. Martin's Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978-12500-8361-6. LCCN 2016007627.
^ Tim Lawrence (2016). Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980–1983. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-08223-6186-2. LCCN 2016007103.
^ "The Dr. Demento Show #81-20 - May 17, 1981". Retrieved July 4, 2018.
^ Tony Naylor (July 13, 2007). "'Ave it!". The Guardian. Retrieved July 4, 2018.

[1] Steven Blush (2016). New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB (1st ed.). St. Martin's Publishing. p. 162. ISBN 978-12500-8361-6. LCCN 2016007627.

[2] Tim Lawrence (2016). Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980–1983. Duke University Press. ISBN 978-08223-6186-2. LCCN 2016007103.

[3] "The Dr. Demento Show #81-20 - May 17, 1981". Retrieved July 4, 2018.

[4] Tony Naylor (July 13, 2007). "'Ave it!". The Guardian. Retrieved July 4, 2018.

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