Song Lyric Sunday — Pink Champagne

You all know by now that I’ll take any opportunity to post music by Benjamin Orr and/or the Cars. This week’s Song Lyric Sunday is no exception; and I guarantee you have never heard this song before (unless you’re a Benjamin Orr fanatic like me). Helen Vahdati’s theme this week is “drink,” and Benjamin Orr’s first record fits the bill. Long before he became the co-founder, bassist, and a lead singer for the Cars, Ben Orzechowski was a teen rock star in his native Cleveland, Ohio. He had joined a popular local band, The Grasshoppers, at 15 years old as a rhythm guitarist and lead singer. The Grasshoppers soon became the house band for a local American Bandstand style TV show, The Big 5 Show (renamed Upbeat upon national syndication), opening for major acts such as Dave Clark Five and Paul Anka. In 1965, The Grasshoppers recorded two regional hits, including “Pink Champagne (And Red Roses)” written and sung by young Mr. Orr (second from the right in the first picture on the video). Take a listen:

Pink Champagne (And Red Roses)

Well, pink champagne and red, red roses

For you, my love, there will be, yeah

Pink champagne and red, red roses

If you spend your life with me

You are my angel from above

I’ll never cast away your love

If you’ll just say you’ll linger with me

Pink champagne and roses there will be

Sometimes a heart can be the very start

So, my dear… and come right here

Pink champagne and red, red roses

For you, my love, there will be, yeah

Pink champagne and red, red roses

If you spend your life with me

With me

With me

With me

Written in response to Song Lyric Sunday theme “drink”