Ave-Ln-Etc Top Ten: Creeque Alley (#1)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (86910)
United States
December 18, 2019 10:33am CST
Time to put the brakes on all these songs dealing with travel and the pathways we take to travel. I’ve been up highways, down roads, through streets, and now I’m dead-ending here, my favorite song amid all those “other” things.
#1: Creeque Alley - The Mamas and The Papas
One of the most autobiographical songs in the 60s, “Creeque Alley” tells the story, not only of the Mamas and the Papas, but most of the folk music scene in L.A. in the 60s. Among those mentioned: John Sebastian who “formed the Spoonful” with Zal Yanovsky, the Byrds, Barry McGuire, and the Mugwumps (the band that Mama Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty were part of prior to the Mamas and the Papas).
It’s all here, in glorious rhymed couplets. One of the classic songs of the careers of the Mamas and the Papas, folk-rock music, and the 60s.
Thanks for reading.
Creeque Alley
Written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips
Recorded by The Mamas and The Papas
From The Mamas & The Papas Deliver, 1967
Greasin’ on American Express card:
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Creeque Alley (Mono Version) · The Mamas & The Papas All The Leaves Are Brown The Golden Era Collection ? 1967 G...
4 people like this
4 responses
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
18 Dec 19
Great classic! The Mamas & The Papas spent time in the Alley where (according to a story told by a bartender at a neighboring club) they played at a club called Sparky's Waterfront Saloon, owned by the Creeque Family, for whom the now-famous alley is named. Of course, the song is not really about Creeque Alley itself, instead Papa John had other lyrics on his mind. Like "McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin' higher 
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Dec 19
I was not expecting this but you can never go wrong with the Mamas and Papas especially Michelle Phillips!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Dec 19
Never heard it but I did like it.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222898)
• United States
18 Dec 19
What can you say? It's the Mamas & The Papas! It's always good.
1 person likes this
