Updated at 4:21 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2008
DeLima releases parody song on June Jones
BY WAYNE HARADA
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
With his recording of "What, June Jones, You Going Leave Us Now?" sung to the familiar "Lucille" hit comedian Frank DeLima now boasts a trilogy of rah-rah parodies on the saga of University of Hawai'i Warriors' near-perfect season and the resulting exodus of head coach Jones.
The latest tune, which will be available for downloading at frankdelima.com, features lyrics by DeLima and his collaborator, Patrick Downes. It is performed with usual Pidgin English to the melody of the original Kenny Rogers country hit and it magnifies the impact of UH football in the mindset of fans statewide.
"Patrick and I talked about points for the song on Monday, the day of the sad news (that Jones was bound for Southern Methodist University), and recorded on Wednesday," DeLima said. "I thought 'Lucille' was just the perfect song."
DeLima, a veteran of parody, mirrors the voice of the public as he sings:
"What, June Jones, you going leave us now?
"The season stay finished
"But 'ohana not pau.
"I know you stay disgusted
"'Cause da locker room stay busted
"But wow, lau lau
"What, June Jones, you going leave us now?"
The song acknowledges Colt Brennan's graduation, the painted green-and-white fan faces and the sobering truth about confronting Jones:
"Hawai'i is sunny but Texas get money
And we know in your heart you sincere;
You one hard act to follow, so good luck, mahalo
And for us, we still here..."
Before the Warriors' humiliating 41-10 loss to Georgia in the New Orleans Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, DeLima recorded the parody "Hawai'i Marches On," to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
"I didn't know it was Georgia's (post-touchdown song)," he said.
DeLima and Downes had two versions, with verses to cover either a win or a loss, and the tune which recapped the perfect regular season got airplay on KSSK radio.
Despite the loss, the tune upholds statewide support and pride:
"We flew up to the Superdome and gave it all we got
And although the Bulldogs beat us, still we gave it our best shot
But we can hold our heads up high' cause when you're hot you're hot
The UH marches on."
The first parody, "Hawai'i, We Did It," is sung to a Tim McGraw hit, "I Like It, I Love It," and extolls the team's 12-0 WAC season.
The parodies, DeLima said, were prepared to "support and thank the Warriors team" for its amazing performance this past season.
There is no charge to download the song; a donation, however, may be made to DeLima's Student Enrichment Program to support his work with Island keiki.
For additional information online, go to: frankdelima.com
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8067.