About the song
Jan and Dean and the California Sound
Jan and Dean were an American pop duo from the early 1960s, known for their surf rock sound and their string of hit singles, including “Surf City,” “Dead Man’s Curve,” and “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena.”
The duo was formed by Jan Berry and Dean Torrence, who met as teenagers in Southern California. They began their musical careers as part of a local band, The Sleepwalkers, before signing with Liberty Records in 1961.
Their debut single, “Baby Talk,” was a regional hit, but it was their follow-up single, “Surf City,” that made them national stars. The song, which was written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, perfectly captured the spirit of the California surfing scene and helped to launch the surf rock genre.
Jan and Dean followed up “Surf City” with a string of other hits, including “Dead Man’s Curve,” “Drag City,” and “The Little Old Lady from Pasadena.” Their music was characterized by its catchy melodies, upbeat tempos, and Dean’s distinctive falsetto vocals.
The Little Old Lady from Pasadena
“The Little Old Lady from Pasadena” is one of Jan and Dean’s most enduring songs. The song was written by Roger Christian and Donald J. Altfeld and released in 1963. It tells the story of a little old lady who drives a hot rod and loves to race.
The song is a lighthearted and humorous look at the California car culture. It features a catchy melody and Dean’s signature falsetto vocals. The song was a hit upon its release, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Legacy
Jan and Dean’s music had a major impact on the California sound of the early 1960s. Their songs helped to popularize the surf rock genre and captured the spirit of the California surfing scene.
The duo’s career was cut short in 1966 when Jan Berry was seriously injured in a car accident. Berry continued to write and produce music, but he never fully recovered from his injuries. He died in 2004 at the age of 62.
Dean Torrence continued to perform and record music as a solo artist. He died in 2020 at the age of 81.
Jan and Dean’s music is still enjoyed by fans around the world. Their songs are a reminder of the carefree days of the California surfing scene and the golden age of rock and roll.
Video
Lyrics
“The Little Old Lady From Pasadena”
It’s the little old lady from PasadenaThe little old lady from Pasadena
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Has a pretty little flowerbed of white gardenias
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
But parked in a rickety old garage
Is a brand new, shiny red, super-stock DodgeAnd everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner
Than the little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado Boulevard
It’s the little old lady from PasadenaIf you see her on the street, don’t try to choose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
You might drive a goer but you’ll never lose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Well, she’s gonna get a ticket now sooner or later
‘Cause she can’t keep her foot off the acceleratorAnd everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner
Than the little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado Boulevard
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
The guys come to race her from miles around
But she’ll give ’em a length, then she’ll shut ’em downAnd everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner
Than the little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado Boulevard
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)…