Georgy Girl

This song was my favorite when I was about five years old. Which basically means that I would get ridiculously excited when it came on the radio (we usually listened to Oldies or NPR, so the chances of hearing it were good) and refuse to allow anyone to change the station.

(Words by Jim Dale and Music by Tom Springfield)

Hey there, Georgy girl
Swingin' down the street so fancy-free
Nobody you meet could ever see the loneliness there - inside you
Hey there, Georgy girl
Why do all the boys just pass you by?
Could it be you just don't try or is it the clothes you wear?

You're always window shopping but never stopping to buy
So shed those dowdy feathers and fly - a little bit

Hey there, Georgy girl
There's another Georgy deep inside
Bring out all the love you hide and, oh, what a change there'd be
The world would see a new Georgy girl

[Instrumental Interlude]

Hey there, Georgy girl
Dreamin'; of the someone you could be
Life is a reality, you can't always run away
Don't be so scared of changing and rearranging yourself
It's time for jumping down from the shelf - a little bit

Hey there, Georgy girl
There's another Georgy deep inside
Bring out all the love you hide and, oh, what a change there'd be
The world would see a new Georgy girl

(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Wake up, Georgy girl
(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Come on, Georgy girl

[Fade]

(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Wake up, Georgy girl

I liked the whistling.

As I got older, the song became more meaningful. I was a Georgy girl. I needed to do some vast rearranging, let go of my loneliness, and let the world see how much love I have to offer.

Huzzah!

A few years ago I was doing one of my crazy "I must learn everything I possibly can about my latest obsession!!" phases and Georgy Girl was up to bat. After listening to the Seekers a billion and a half times I began my hunt for the film version of the story.

That weekend I went home to visit my family. My mother must have some pretty mad telepathy skills, let me tell you! When I arrived at home, she said, "You know that Georgy Girl song? You used to like it when you were little. Well, I ordered the film online and it just came today."

Serendipity!

We all watched the film as a family and discussed the moral and social impact of choices. It is not a feel-good movie, despite the chipper main tune, but I think I'll keep it on my shelf.

Georgy Girl
Film Version

(Words by Jim Dale and Music by Tom Springfield)

Hey there, Georgy girl
Swingin' down the street so fancy-free
Nobody you meet could ever see the loneliness there - inside you
Hey there, Georgy girl
Look at all the boyfriends you don't get Why do all the boys just pass you by?
Never had a real one yet, just look at the clothes you wear

You're always window shopping but never stopping to buy
Just shed those dowdy feathers and fly - a little bit

Hey there, Georgy girl
Give yourself a treat, like most girls do
Get another hairstyle too and, oh, what a change there'd be
The world would see a new Georgy girl

[Instrumental Interlude]

Hey there, Georgy girl
Dreamin'; of the someone you could be
Life is a reality, you can't always run away
Don't be so scared of changing and rearranging yourself
It's time for jumping down from the shelf - a little bit

Hey there, Georgy girl
Give yourself a chance and you will see
Confidence is all you need, and, oh, what a change there'd be
The world would see a new Georgy girl

(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Wake up, Georgy girl
(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Come on, Georgy girl

[Fade]

(Hey there, Georgy girl)
Wake up, Georgy girl

So, guess what I did? I chopped most of my hair off so I couldn't hide anymore, bought some new clothes and accessories, and gained a ton of confidence by doing difficult things and living through the most stressful time of my life to date.

I thought I was ready to jump down from the shelf. Yet, I'm not so sure any more. Someday it will be time. I just don't think I'm quite there now.

Any other Georgy girls/guys out there? How did you know when it was time to jump?