Teddy Bear
Red Sovine
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I was on the outskirts of a little southern town Tryin' to reach my destination before the sun went down The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9! When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line And he said: "Breaker 1-9! Is anyone there? ome on back, truckers and talk to Teddy Bear!" Well, I keyed the mike and said: "You got it, Teddy Bear!" And a little boy's voice came back on the air "'Preciate the break, Who we got on that end?" I told him my handle, and, then he began: "Now, I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air But you see, I get lonely and it helps to talk 'Cause that's about all I can do, I'm crippled, and, I can't walk!" I came back and told him to fire up that mike And I'd talk to him, as long as he liked "This was my dad's radio", the little boy said "But I guess it's mine and mom's now, 'cause my daddy's dead!" "Dad had a wreck about a month ago He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow Mom has to work now, to make ends meet And I'm not much help, with my two crippled feet!" "She says not to worry that we'll make it alright But, I hear her crying, sometimes late at night You know there's just one thing I want more than anything else to see Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me!" "But, you see, my dad used to take me for rides when he was home But, I guess that's all over now, since my daddy's gone Not one breaker came on the old CB As that little crippled boy talked with me I tried hard to swallow a lump that just wouldn't stay down As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town "Dad was going to take mom and me with him later on this year, Why, l remember 'I'm saying: 'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!' But, I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again But, this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends!" "Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone 'Cause it's about time for mom to come home But, you give me a shout when you're passin' through And I'll sure be happy to come back to you!" Well, I came back and I said: uh! "Before you go 10-10 What's your home 20, little CB friend?" Well, he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate 'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait I turned that truck around on a dime And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229 And as I rounded the corner, oh, I got one heck of a shock late wheelers were lined up for three city blocks! Why, I guess every driver for miles around had caught Teddy Bear's call And that little crippled boy was having a ball For as fast as one driver would carry him in Another would carry him to his truck and take off again Well, you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair And buddy if I never live to see happiness again I want you to know I saw it that day, in the face of that little man We took up a collection for him before his mama got home And each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone He shook my hand with a mile-long grin And said: "So long, trucker I'll catch ya again!" Well, I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes I turned on the radio and I got another surprise "Breaker 1-9!" Came a voice on the air "Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear!" "We wish each and every one, a special prayer for you 'Cause, You just made my little boy's dream come true I'll sign off now, before, I start to cry May God ride with you, 10-4, and goodbye."
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: BERNIE LOWE, KAL MANN
Lyrics © RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Formation"Teddy Bear" is a song that was published in 1976 and it's a continuous narrative ballad delivered in a conversational soliloquy.
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Artist BackgroundThe song was performed by Red Sovine, a host, singer, and songwriter known for his contribution to the country music genre, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s.
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Song Popularity"Teddy Bear" was arguably Sovine's most successful song, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in July 1976.
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Song ThemeThe song tells the story of a disabled boy who uses a CB radio to communicate with truck drivers after his trucker dad dies.
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Importance of the Song"Teddy Bear" is considered one of the greatest trucking anthems because it epitomizes a certain kind of kinship and camaraderie found within the truck driving community in America.
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Unique AspectRed Sovine used an actual CB radio to communicate with a child fan nicknamed "Teddy Bear". This interaction inspired him to write the song bearing the same name.
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Commercial Success"Teddy Bear" was so popular that it sold over a million copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over one million units.
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Cultural InfluenceThe song became a part of popular culture, representing the truck driving community of the '70s and '80s, showcasing their way of life, their challenges and the solidarity they exhibit during their long-haul professions.
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Aftermath of SuccessSovine's song inspired a response song, "Teddy Bear's Last Ride" performed by Diana Williams. This song tells a final tale of the young boy's life.
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Legacy of the SongThe song 'Teddy Bear' has been covered numerous times and remains a beloved track among the fans of the Country and Western music genre.
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Citation
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"Teddy Bear Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1153378/Red+Sovine/Teddy+Bear>.
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