Little Eva, The Locomotion | Throwback Vibez

In the 68^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “The Locomotion” by Lil Eva.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 68^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “The Locomotion”, performed by Little Eva.

“Everybody’s doin’ a brand new dance, now / (Come on, baby, do the Loco-Motion).” Sometimes, the first hit of your career is your biggest and best-known hit.  That is the case when it comes to the late Little Eva (Eva Narcissus Boyd, 1943 – 2003). “The Locomotion” (often stylized as “The Loco-Motion”) appears as the opening track on her 1962 album, Llllloco-Motion. “The Loco-Motion” was her sole top-10 hit, reaching no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This novel, dance-themed soul cut was penned by pop royalty: Carole King and her ex-husband, the late Gerry Goffin.  The song was intended for Dee Dee Sharp (Ms. “Mashed Potato Time”), but she opted against it.  Ultimately, it was Boyd’s gain, at least for a short spell of fame in the 1960s.  Notably, Boyd was King/Goffin’s babysitter.

“You gotta swing your hips now

Come on, baby

Jump up, jump back

Well, I think you’ve got the knack

Whoa, whoa.”

Whoa, indeed, Little Eva! “The Loco-Motion” clocks in under two-and-a-half minutes in duration – sufficient, particularly given the era.  A playful song, depth is not the modus operandi – this one is all about a trendy dance.  It’s on-brand with many ‘60s songs that introduce a fun dance.  Even though Little Eva wasn’t intended to be the voice heard on the recording, her lead vocals, as a teenager, are compelling.  Furthermore, she’s supported by strong background vocals.  Beyond the lyrics, the melody is tuneful to the nth degree – infectious to this day.  Another highlight? The saxophone solo by Artie Kaplan.  “Easier than learnin’ your ABCs,” everybody was encouraged to “come on, come on / Do the Loco-Motion with me.” Little Eva never scored a bigger hit than “The Locomotion”, but the infectious song is forever enshrined in music history. Covered many times, Grand Funk Railroad reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks with their version from the ‘70s while Kylie Minogue peaked at no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 with her rendition in 1988. Chugga-chugga-choo-choo!

Little Eva // The Locomotion // Rhino // 1962

Little Eva, The Locomotion: Throwback Vibez No. 68 (2024) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Rhino; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via Pixabay]