The logo for the ’80s band, Detention.
In the mid-’80s, a punk band from Manville called Detention recorded the perfect rebuttal to The Beach Boys’ “California Girls.” It starts like this:
“Heard a lot about California and such
You don’t hear about New Jersey much
Stuck between New York and Philly
Some snobs think this state is filthy!
Heard California girls sure are pretty
You should see ’em in Atlantic City!
Seaside Heights, Beach Haven West
New Jersey girls are the buh-buh-buh-buh-best!”
The problem is, very few people heard it this buoyant surfing anthem, which includes an imitation of Gov. Kean saying “New Jersey and you, perfect together” (a popular slogan of the time). Detention released an album on the Somerville-based Rigor Mortis record label, and earned a little bit of attention with its intentionally obnoxious song, “Dead Rock ‘n’ Rollers.” But the band soon broke up, and “Beaches” was soon forgotten. But it’s 350 Jersey Songs’ mission — well, part of its mission, anyway — to rescue great songs like these from obscurity. So please check out the video below, and, if you like it, share it with someone you love!
New Jersey celebrated its 350th birthday in 2014. And in the 350 Jersey Songs series, we marked the occasion by posting 350 songs — one a day, from September 2014 to September 2015 — that have something to do with the state, its musical history, or both. To see the entire list, click here.
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Since launching in September 2014, NJArts.net, a 501(c)(3) organization, has become one of the most important media outlets for the Garden State arts scene. And it has always offered its content without a subscription fee, or a paywall. Its continued existence depends on support from members of that scene, and the state’s arts lovers. Please consider making a contribution of any amount to NJArts.net via PayPal, or by sending a check made out to NJArts.net to 11 Skytop Terrace, Montclair, NJ 07043.
