About the song
“The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)” is a vibrant piece of 1960s pop culture, brought to life by the American duo Jan and Dean. The song, penned by Don Altfeld, Jan Berry, and Roger Christian, captures the playful essence of the era with its catchy melody and humorous lyrics. Notably, this track features P.F. Sloan singing the falsetto parts traditionally performed by Dean Torrence, while Dean himself takes on a backup role. This collaboration marked a unique moment in the song’s history, showcasing Sloan’s falsetto for the first time on a single, although he had previously demonstrated his high notes on Jan and Dean’s album “Dead Man’s Curve/The New Girl In School.”
The origins of the song are intriguingly linked to a popular Dodge advertisement campaign from early 1964. The commercial featured Kathryn Minner, an elderly actress with a white-haired persona, who drove a modified Dodge with considerable flair. Her memorable line, “Put a Dodge in your garage, Hon-ey!” became iconic and set the stage for the song’s creation. The lively, humorous portrayal of the “little old lady” in the ad inspired the upbeat tune, which celebrated her unexpected zest for speed and adventure.
In a twist of cultural evolution, Jan and Dean reworked the song in 1967, renaming it “Tijuana” and infusing the lyrics with subtle references to marijuana use. This revamped version was intended for their final album, “Carnival of Sound,” completed in 1969 but only officially released decades later in 2010.
Additionally, “The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)” made its mark in the broader musical landscape. The Beach Boys, contemporaries and supporters of Jan and Dean, performed the song live at Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on August 1, 1964. This performance was included in their No. 1 album, “Beach Boys Concert,” highlighting the interconnectedness of the surf music scene.
The song’s roots can be traced back to mid-20th century Southern California folklore. It humorously plays on the stereotype of the “little old lady” driving a powerful car, a trope popularized by various media references, including Alfred Hitchcock’s TV series. This image of the elderly car owner—often depicted as having barely used the vehicle—became a cultural touchstone, further enriching the song’s playful narrative.
Overall, “The Little Old Lady (from Pasadena)” stands out as a charming example of 1960s pop music, reflecting the era’s unique blend of humor, car culture, and catchy melodies.
Video
Lyrics
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena
The little old lady from Pasadena
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Has a pretty little flowerbed of white gardenias
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
But parked in a rickety old garage
There’s a brand new shiny red super stock Dodge
And everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner than
The little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado boulevard
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena
If you see her on the strip, don’t try to choose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
You might drive a go-er, but you’ll never lose her
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
Well, she’s gonna get a ticket now, sooner or later
‘Cause she can’t keep her foot off the accelerator
And everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner than
The Little Old Lady From Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado Boulevard
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena
You can catch her all the time, just gettin’ her kicks now
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
With her four speed stick and a four-two-six now
(Go granny, go granny, go granny, go)
The guys come to race her from miles around
But she’ll give ’em a length, then she’ll shut ’em down
And everybody’s sayin’ that there’s nobody meaner than
The little old lady from Pasadena
She drives real fast and she drives real hard
She’s the terror of Colorado boulevard
It’s the little old lady from Pasadena
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)
Go granny, go granny, go granny, go (come on granny, go)