My turn to pick the music selection this month. I suggested to Blobby, “How about songs mentioning tattoos. But that were performed before 1990.” I only suggested before 1990 as there are a plethora of songs with that subject after that time. At least ones I know that Blobby may not.

Blobby appears to have had problems with my selection being too specific. So I’m probably going to get Hell for that the next go round. Sorry Blobby!

I think this song is from 1984. At least that’s the first record I can find it listed upon. It’s a song written by an actual sideshow performer from back in the day: Capt. Don Leslie.

“Wagner’s Tattooed Lady”

I first met her on the Bow’ry at a place called Chatham Square.
It was not her eyes that drew me near, her lips or pretty hair.
It was not her dress of velvet or her patent leather shoes,
But on her hide she wore with pride Charlie Wagner’s tattoos.

Well, red roses she wore on her breast; what a sight!
Oh the color so vivid, so vivid and bright!
And the blues notes danced ’round about her pretty blouse.
Some say it was a waltz, like Johann Strauss.

I swear on my child and the gold in my teeth
That the memory of that tattooed queen still lingers sweet.
Oh, she came down to Charlie there at Chatham Square
To get tattooed by the master there.

Well, I left the Bowery in ’42,
Stopped my gamblin’ and runnin’ hooch,
But I always dreamed of that tattooed queen
And Charlie Wagner’s fascinating tattoo machines.

Well, red roses she wore on her breast; what a sight!
Oh the color so vivid, so vivid and bright!
And the blues notes danced ’round about her pretty blouse.
Some say it was a waltz, like Johann Strauss.

I’ve seen beautiful designs like “Duel in the Sun,”
“Rock of Ages,” battleships and military guns.
Well, they all have their place, like a heart with “Mom,”
But Charlie Wagner’s tattooed lady’s still Number One.

They preachers all say, “There’s a land so fair.”
Some folks call it “heaven” or the “golden stair.”
Well, some call it “paradise,” and I really do not care,
For I’d rather be down in Chatham Square.

And, to the right of the throne, are a chosen few:
Picasso, Rembrandt and Michelangelo too.
Hey, let me name them all for you,
And don’t you forget Professor Wagner too.

Some painted on canvas and some on chapel walls.
Their art’s worth millions for fame and all.
But Charlie Wagner’s the king of this man’s dreams,
For he painted the beautiful tattooed queen.

Well, red roses she wore on her breast; what a sight!
Oh the color so vivid, so vivid and bright!
And the blues notes danced ’round about her pretty blouse.
Some say it was a waltz, like Johann Strauss.

Charlie Wagner, you’re the greatest and there ain’t no doubt.

My turn to pick the music selection this month. I suggested to Blobby, “How about songs mentioning tattoos. But that were performed before 1990.” I only suggested before 1990 as there are a plethora of songs with that subject after that time. At least ones I know that Blobby may not.

Blobby appears to have had problems with my selection being too specific. So I’m probably going to get Hell for that the next go round. Sorry Blobby!

This was the last song on Smokey Robinson’s “Pure Smokey” album from 1974. I don’t know how well it did, but considering I had never heard it before until one day when I was listening to some weird Pandora station, I doubt it fared well at the time.

Smokey Robinson’s “A Tattoo”:

And for last week’s edition, I give you Siouxsie & The Banshees “Tattoo” from 1983. This was the B-Side for “Dear Prudence” single.

My turn to pick the music selection this month. I suggested to Blobby, “How about songs mentioning tattoos. But that were performed before 1990.” I only suggested before 1990 as there are a plethora of songs with that subject after that time. At least ones I know that Blobby may not.

And for my first selection, I actually have to thank Spo for. He mentioned it to me the other day, and it wasn’t one I had ever recalled hearing before.

Groucho Marx performing his song, “Lydia, the tattooed lady”: