Showmen - 39-21-40 Shape (aka 39-21-46)

Whether you know this tune by the title "39-21-40 Shape" or the title that was actually placed on the 45 rpm record when it was released, "39-21-46", this is a Carolina Beach Music classic of the first order.
The Showmen originated in Norfolk, Va under the name of the Humdingers led by Norman Johnson. The group moved to New Orleans in the late 50's and came under the tutelage of Allen Toussaint who produced their first hit and one of the all-time great Rock and Roll tunes, "It Will Stand", a song that became an anthem not only for rock and roll, but also for the Carolina Beach Music following the recording attracted. Not long after this, the Showmen recorded "39-21-40 Shape", a song which probably could not be made today and would be viewed entirely as too sexist to achieve any success. But given the era from which it came and the context it was recorded in, it was a huge success at the time especially on Carolina beach jukeboxes. "39-21-40 Shape", or 39-21-46 if you prefer, has one of the most memorable guitar intros in all of rock and roll. General Norman Johnson continues to perform and has for some time led a group called Chairmen of the Board since the break-up of the original Showmen in 1968.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Showmen
• General Norman Johnson
• 39-21-40 Shape
• 39-21-46
• Carolina Beach Music
• Shag

[bumblebeebattv]

What year did this song come out? ;^)

[Nocaro]

@bumblebeebattv I want to think it was either 1964 or 1965.

[chocolaterules82257]

i am from newport news va-i sang lead for the humdingers(we were given this name by norman because i sounded so much like him) the showmen were the humdingers before changing their name. this is in the 60.s HE IS STILL MY ALL TIME FAVORITE SINGER

[Nocaro]

@chocolaterules82257 Thanks for your comments...he will be missed! ....Nocaro

[RufusRoberts]

I LOVE this song! The Showmen played at my High School Prom. Can you believe how lucky we were??? This was my favorite song at the time!

I still love it!

Thank you for the post.

[Nocaro]

@RufusRoberts Thanks for the note, but don't earmark this particular video...I will be revising it shortly and deleting this particular one...Nocaro

[beachrvol]

You can't beat Carolina Beach Music!!

[georgethedj]

Every "soul & show" band in the South used to play this song in a medley with "Hey Baby" every Friday & Saturday night at fraternity parties everywhere. If that sounds too all-encompassing, no matter, it's true (or almost true!). If you didn't play this song (through about 1970), your band didn't come back!

Thanks, Nocaro.

Now - do you have "The Wrong Girl" by The Showmen?

[gto66solstice08]

I could listen to this tune for the rest of my life .........Gonna get a cold keg, a beach chair, and and endless loop of the General......drift off in my chair on the Grand Strand. ....Just dig a hole and plant me!

[Ben1238]

Someone should post a video teaching the guitar in this gem. Anybody?

[eddiec67ss]

Sat in Lee's in Va Beach in the 60's and listened many times to this song.

[brownfoxx76]

SHAG!!!

[starr522]

@georgethedj I can second your statement. Oh so true

[whopfrog2]

@bumblebeebattv It was first released in 1963 and re-released in mid-1967 with a different label design. The 1967 release is what I remember from radio airplay.

[b3boneman]

Ferrum Jr. College 1969 WOW!!!

[GDS4VR]

I'M BLESSED TO HAVE GROWN UP W/ THIS MUSIC. BUT THEN CAME THE "PSCHYODELIC" MOVEMENT AND AWAY I WENT. BUT THIS MUSIC, REMEMBER, "IT WILL STAND"!

[missinghimtoo]

I LOVE THIS SONG. WISH HE WOULD PUT HIS ARMS AROUND ME.. JUST ONE MORE TIME...

[mnovo73]

Great song, makes me think of an old friend and Carolina radio on a Sunday afternoon.