The Knack lead singer Doug Fieger wrote the lyrics to this song, which is about a girl he fancied. Doug was in a long-term relationship when he walked into the clothing store where a high school student named Sharona Alperin (who had a boyfriend), was working. The age difference (he was about eight years older) and relationship status didn't deter Fieger, who was immediately lovestruck. With his girlfriend looking on, he invited Sharona to a show. Not long after, he broke up with the girlfriend and professed his love for Sharona, creating a weird dynamic where he would come on to her even though she had a boyfriend who often attended Knack concerts with her. It got pretty heavy when Fieger started writing songs about her - they weren't together when he composed"My Sharona." About a year after they first met, Sharona gave in and they started dating. She joined the band on tour and watched as the song Fieger wrote about her elevated them to stardom. The couple were together for about four years (and engaged at one point) before the rock and roll lifestyle and Fieger's alcoholism became too much for Sharona, and they called it off. In the aftermath, Sharona answered questions about the breakup by saying that she needed to become her own Sharona, not someone else's. After a cooling off period, Alperin and Fieger became friends. Alperin was with Fieger the last week of his life; he died of cancer on February14, 2010. Source - Songfacts
As "fresh" as the lyrics are it still got tons of radio play, and no one complained about it. I think I actually saw Travis turning a bit red. As others have mentioned it truly was awesome growing up in the 80's. To watch Thriller debut. To see what Madonna would do/say next? Parachute pants. Break dancing. Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Uncle Buck.
When this song came out in the late '70s, official music videos were not a thing. I bought the LP, "Get The Knack", and recall that the mixing of this album was great. The sounds of the bass and cymbals really stood out to me.
Thre were a thing, actually. Record companies used early videos and promos for their artists long before MTV, which came into existence because there were enough videos out there to creat a network to show th em (although most were English). For example, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was done in the mid-70s so the song/video could appear as a promo for the band on shows like American Bandstand (because it couldn't be reproduced live). It's just that before MTV, most people never saw them.
@@aussiepie4865 At that time, I was living in another country. I actually listened this song in 1980 for the first time but you are right... it came out in 1979 😄👍
No, Sharona was a very young girl he got a crush on who served him in a store. Eventually they got together, but a few years later she left him, saying that she wanted to be her OWN Sharona
Doug Fieger wrote this as a 25 year old, having met Sharon’s Alperin (then 17) when he was out shopping with his girlfriend (Sharon’s was working in a store). Needless to say, his relationship broke up and he and Sharona were a couple for several years before breaking up (I believe they were engaged at one point). They stayed friends, and she nursed Doug before his death. So yes, there was an age difference and she was young at the time, but it was a serious relationship and lifelong friendship.
Saw these guys in the late 90s; Terry Bozzio was drumming for them. They were killer! Oh, I was 14 when this came out. Times were definitely different back then lol
I had a girlfriend named Leona when this song was playing on the radio. I would substitute her name when they said sharona. She was ok with it. She still went steady with me. Hello from Pa USA 🇺🇸 💖 💓
I was in the 9th grade when this was released. We didn't give a shit in the late 70s and 80s...and TBH, we still don't! LOL I just turned 60 and I'm still head bangin' driving my Mustang GT!!
Crazy lyrics right! Well back when this came out I was in Junior High School in the 7th grade. During recess one of the history teachers would play this song on full blast out of two tower speakers located outside of his class room to the kids playing on the ball courts. Nobody had any issues with the song back then probably because nobody was really following the lyrics. 😄
Don't worry about shocking parents and in-laws these days (in Australia anyway). I recently went to see "The Rock Show, Oz edition in regional NSW. It was songs from the 60's, 70''s and 80's. The majority of the audience were also in their 60's 70''s and 80's. When they played The Angels Am I Ever Going To See Your Face most of the audience enthusiastically responded with the No Way, Get F.....d, F..K off refrain.
To answer the question, "yes, there is a similarity to song styles from "That Thing you do" with Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, the actor from Sahara and my favorite, the drummer!
Two other "fresh" songs by The Knack is "Good Girls Don't", and "(She's So) Selfish". And Sharon was an old girlfriend of his. Sharona was a real person.
DONT KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE HERE BUT CRAP , I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A MASSIVE SHOUT OUT FOR RUINING THIS SONG DURING AN INCREDIBLE SOLO TOWARDS THE END .. IT'S NOT ON THE STUDIO VERSION.... SO THANKS FOR NOT PAUSING IT AND JUST TALKING BULLCRAP THRU OUT THE SOLO .. WELL DONE....
The video is from a DVD release called The Knack Live from the Rock and Roll Funhouse. They basically built the set to remind people of a late night talk show set, they even had a fake TV host on the DVD who introduced them. I bought it around 2004 at Circuit City. They were great musicians with very dirty minds and a pop sensibility. They kinda killed their chances of longevity by using naughty lyrics that kinda didn't gel with their fun poppy songs IMO.
@@Miss-Katie yeah they were a great band to watch live i saw them a few times as were the Angel's, Dragon ,Midnight oil just to name a few that I got to see in the 80's .Another great band from the 90's to current is Grinspoon, I have seen them live 4 times they sound really good live .
Love this song when it came out in the eighties. I'm pretty sure this was written about a girl and her name was Sharona based on an interview with the lead singer.
Hey Trav..Hey Suzie. Long timer sporadic commenter. I know you can see me. You both make me want to keep going on some days because of your hearts that won't stop bursting out and covering us with all that annoying joy.
The Cars debut album came out the same year and i think it had more to do with ushering in new wave. They had a heavy use of synths & keyboards , The Knack were more of a power pop band.
In 1979 when Frank Zappa released Sheik Yerbouti swedes were so poorly versed in english that Bobby Brown (that was banned from US airplay) wasn't just played but even became a hit!
Oh this still gets radio air time on our classic rock station in our area but its all good as the demographics are those who were hearing this in the early 80s so not much shock value for us older folk...lol it is funny to watch younger people react to it now
Dec 1979 me and a buddy were driving from St. Louis to Pittsburgh to visit our respective families for Christmas. 10 hours on the road and I swear we heard this on the radio at least twice an hour. We were truly sick of Sharona. 🤣
I was also at that impressionable age when rock music from this era was calling out to me . The first single I purchased with my own allowance money was "Refugee" by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
Fun song! Have good memories of listen to this song primarily of the movie “Catch Me If You Can” with Leo DiCaprio Side note: favorite stage setting/club from the movie “That Thing You Do” is during the “Little Wild One” part. The energy of them up on stage in a Smokey room is intoxicating on its own merit! Ps. There is a fantastic acoustic guitar cover here on RUclips of “Little Wild One” being played who greatly resembles “Kenny” 😊❤ Added: In case you are interested: his back is against a reddish painted wall and goes by the name “Kevin Knowles”
Hey Suzi and Travis great video I did not hear this song since the 80s old school days good choice OH by the way love your blue and red Suzi you look very nice like always . Keep up the good work love you both till next time xoxoxoxox💋
I like these guys. I bought the album, but I never understood the hype. Some music reviewers were calling them the next "Beatles." Right.... They did one good album and then disappeared.
She and Doug did get together, but it didn't last. Many years later, she was driving with her son and the song came on. Her song asked if it was about her, and she had to tell him it was an old boyfriend who wrote it. Probably blew the poor kids mind to hear such a 'fresh' song towards his mother.
Lol @geoffkinna9166 You are a kindred spirit. I don't have kids, so no next wave of music for me. I did have a band spawn in my lounge room. They did good, but they all grew up and moved on. I'll never grow up. :)
@@_Dei_ Hey mate ... sorry i've been out of ACTION ..... yes , kindred spirit seems apt . I love your work and the song So long has some meaning for me which i will explain later maybe .... I just saw your two The Church selections , great stuff .... Might see you at the Enmore ... if you make it your name will definitely be on the door ....
You can listen to this with your parents, aunts, uncles...no problem. They were singing and dancing to it themselves back in 1978. You know your generation didn't invent sexual innuendo....:)
Protip: Don't talk over one of the great classic guitar solos in rock history
Exactly! One of the best solos ever.
@@ms8742 Ahh, We Built This City?
Wow, I just left a very similar message, then saw yours !!!
YES WTF!, how can they talk so nonchalantly over one of the best guitar solos!! that is a blatant disrespect right there.
Never, ever talk during a guitar solo. The ultimate sin. Just sayin'.
"Good Girls Don't" is another great one from The Knack.
Lyrics are pretty adult in that one too! 😝
@@justjack0715 Extra fresh lol
A song about Pedophilia? Never gonna stop, give it up, such a dirty mind
I always get it up for the touch of the younger kind.
Frustrated is another great one on that album
Good Girls Don't is so much fun!!!!!!!!
The Knack's lead singer Doug Fieger wrote the song for the then-teenager who would become his girlfriend, Sharona Alperin
Geoffrey Fieger "his brother" was the Lawyer for Dr. KKevorkian's case on assisted suicide
Underage girlfriend
and he ended up marring her
But the little girl understand lp
And, thus, "My Sharona" begat "My Bologna" by Weird Al Yankovic 😁
Oh my hungry one, my hungry one.
One of the most underrated guitar solo's in music history
The Knack lead singer Doug Fieger wrote the lyrics to this song, which is about a girl he fancied. Doug was in a long-term relationship when he walked into the clothing store where a high school student named Sharona Alperin (who had a boyfriend), was working. The age difference (he was about eight years older) and relationship status didn't deter Fieger, who was immediately lovestruck. With his girlfriend looking on, he invited Sharona to a show. Not long after, he broke up with the girlfriend and professed his love for Sharona, creating a weird dynamic where he would come on to her even though she had a boyfriend who often attended Knack concerts with her. It got pretty heavy when Fieger started writing songs about her - they weren't together when he composed"My Sharona."
About a year after they first met, Sharona gave in and they started dating. She joined the band on tour and watched as the song Fieger wrote about her elevated them to stardom. The couple were together for about four years (and engaged at one point) before the rock and roll lifestyle and Fieger's alcoholism became too much for Sharona, and they called it off. In the aftermath, Sharona answered questions about the breakup by saying that she needed to become her own Sharona, not someone else's. After a cooling off period, Alperin and Fieger became friends. Alperin was with Fieger the last week of his life; he died of cancer on February14, 2010.
Source - Songfacts
As "fresh" as the lyrics are it still got tons of radio play, and no one complained about it. I think I actually saw Travis turning a bit red. As others have mentioned it truly was awesome growing up in the 80's. To watch Thriller debut. To see what Madonna would do/say next? Parachute pants. Break dancing. Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Uncle Buck.
In the US they might have only played the hook, but in the real world we heard it all. 😊
When this song came out in the late '70s, official music videos were not a thing. I bought the LP, "Get The Knack", and recall that the mixing of this album was great. The sounds of the bass and cymbals really stood out to me.
Thre were a thing, actually. Record companies used early videos and promos for their artists long before MTV, which came into existence because there were enough videos out there to creat a network to show th em (although most were English).
For example, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was done in the mid-70s so the song/video could appear as a promo for the band on shows like American Bandstand (because it couldn't be reproduced live). It's just that before MTV, most people never saw them.
This was the TOTAL roller skating rink anthem. You could NOT go even one night without them playing this. It was a completely epic rollerskating song.
Along with Lovin touchin squeezin by journey. Good times to be a teenager
So glad you played the long version! To me this is undeniably the most underrated guitar break ever!👍👍👍👍👍
Too bad they are talking over it to really appreciate it!
@@rddav1 Great guitar break that was never played on the radio back in the day. The Knack rocked.
# 1 song on the List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1979, September 1979. My birth year and month too
Oh GOD! how i miss the 80's! Thanks for the request @dei and Thanks for your reaction! 😀
70’s actually.
@@aussiepie4865 At that time, I was living in another country.
I actually listened this song in 1980 for the first time but you are right... it came out in 1979 😄👍
No, Sharona was a very young girl he got a crush on who served him in a store. Eventually they got together, but a few years later she left him, saying that she wanted to be her OWN Sharona
Sharona is indeed a girl name
Lead singer wrote it about her and yes, she is a real person
Sharona Alperin . . .
Listen, I’m 54 years old so I grew up listening to The Knack and this song is bad ass! It’s a fucking brilliant song
One of best guitar solos ever!
... and they are talking over it!!!
Doug Fieger wrote this as a 25 year old, having met Sharon’s Alperin (then 17) when he was out shopping with his girlfriend (Sharon’s was working in a store). Needless to say, his relationship broke up and he and Sharona were a couple for several years before breaking up (I believe they were engaged at one point). They stayed friends, and she nursed Doug before his death.
So yes, there was an age difference and she was young at the time, but it was a serious relationship and lifelong friendship.
Right up in your face Talent!!!
Literally played 50 times an hour in the radio
Saw these guys in the late 90s; Terry Bozzio was drumming for them. They were killer! Oh, I was 14 when this came out. Times were definitely different back then lol
Missing Persons was another fun band to listen to in the 80's with Terry and Dale Bozzio !
I had a girlfriend named Leona when this song was playing on the radio. I would substitute her name when they said sharona. She was ok with it. She still went steady with me. Hello from Pa USA 🇺🇸 💖 💓
Michigan's favorite lawyers cousin😂😂😂
Brother lol
I was in the 9th grade when this was released. We didn't give a shit in the late 70s and 80s...and TBH, we still don't! LOL I just turned 60 and I'm still head bangin' driving my Mustang GT!!
Crazy lyrics right! Well back when this came out I was in Junior High School in the 7th grade. During recess one of the history teachers would play this song on full blast out of two tower speakers located outside of his class room to the kids playing on the ball courts. Nobody had any issues with the song back then probably because nobody was really following the lyrics. 😄
The lead guitarist crushed that solo!
I won this album at my first school social (dance). I still have it lol.
Good to see you again
This song has an amazing guitar solo
If they even noticed it!
Instantly recognisable with the 🎸 guitars alone 🎉🎉 Fantastic riffs 🎉🎉
"doing that thing you do" is indeed by the Knack
It was on the soundtrack for Reality Bites, which is a movie you all should enjoy
I was going to mention Reality Bites.
Another song that was used to name girls was Mandy by Barry Manilow. I even heard of a few Damiens from The Omen! 😂
Sharona was a young lady that he liked!
Don't worry about shocking parents and in-laws these days (in Australia anyway). I recently went to see "The Rock Show, Oz edition in regional NSW. It was songs from the 60's, 70''s and 80's. The majority of the audience were also in their 60's 70''s and 80's. When they played The Angels Am I Ever Going To See Your Face most of the audience enthusiastically responded with the No Way, Get F.....d, F..K off refrain.
Sharona was a real live woman, and a babe. Still have my copy of "Get The Knack" that I bought in college, 1979 or 1980, and it still plays great.
good girls dont is an overlooked hit
To answer the question, "yes, there is a similarity to song styles from "That Thing you do" with Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler, the actor from Sahara and my favorite, the drummer!
This song was a staple at the roller rink in the 1970’s and yes the roller rink was the happening place/pick up place in the 70’s.
Whenever I hear this I always picture Winona Ryder dancing with Janeane Garofalo
"Frustrated" off the same album is a great tune.
They were so much better back in the day with messages like this compared to today.
It means exactly what you think it means and it rocks.
Two other "fresh" songs by The Knack is "Good Girls Don't", and "(She's So) Selfish". And Sharon was an old girlfriend of his. Sharona was a real person.
"That Thing You Do" is a great movie.
1979, this song and Gary new man’s song Cars ushered in new wave
Dei is a boss - three great suggestions.
DONT KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE HERE BUT CRAP , I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU GUYS A MASSIVE SHOUT OUT FOR RUINING THIS SONG DURING AN INCREDIBLE SOLO TOWARDS THE END .. IT'S NOT ON THE STUDIO VERSION.... SO THANKS FOR NOT PAUSING IT AND JUST TALKING BULLCRAP THRU OUT THE SOLO .. WELL DONE....
I'd still rather a bit to much talk over endless pausing I hate that like most like some channels ruin the who song
The video is from a DVD release called The Knack Live from the Rock and Roll Funhouse. They basically built the set to remind people of a late night talk show set, they even had a fake TV host on the DVD who introduced them. I bought it around 2004 at Circuit City. They were great musicians with very dirty minds and a pop sensibility. They kinda killed their chances of longevity by using naughty lyrics that kinda didn't gel with their fun poppy songs IMO.
People don't usually realize how dirty this song is because of the catchy beat. Way to go catching on to that!
In Texas this was My Corona
I find it hard to believe they've never heard of The Knack.
one of the greatest lead jams of all time.
If you think this song is FRESH you should listen to Gimme Head by The Radiators a great 80 's band that I still listen to today.
I saw them live SO many times in Sydney in the 80's. They put on a great show.
@@Miss-Katie yeah they were a great band to watch live i saw them a few times as were the Angel's, Dragon ,Midnight oil just to name a few that I got to see in the 80's .Another great band from the 90's to current is Grinspoon, I have seen them live 4 times they sound really good live .
What a fun riff to play. My Sharona is NOT the Beach Boys
Aside from the obvious fabulousness of this one, I also love Doug's smile.
Love this song when it came out in the eighties. I'm pretty sure this was written about a girl and her name was Sharona based on an interview with the lead singer.
Released June 1979
Hey Trav..Hey Suzie. Long timer sporadic commenter. I know you can see me. You both make me want to keep going on some days because of your hearts that won't stop bursting out and covering us with all that annoying joy.
This song kind of ushered in new wave radio.
The Cars debut album came out the same year and i think it had more to do with ushering in new wave. They had a heavy use of synths & keyboards , The Knack were more of a power pop band.
Absolutely filled the dance floor at bars in the eighties. Good memories.
In 1979 when Frank Zappa released Sheik Yerbouti swedes were so poorly versed in english that Bobby Brown (that was banned from US airplay) wasn't just played but even became a hit!
Love that album.
Oh this still gets radio air time on our classic rock station in our area but its all good as the demographics are those who were hearing this in the early 80s so not much shock value for us older folk...lol it is funny to watch younger people react to it now
Please listen to The Commodores "Nightshift". 1985, It is a tribute to Marvin Gaye & Jackie Wilson, who both died in 1984.
Group drew a lot of flak at the time for making it big so quickly. They faded almost as fast.
that album had the pic of you know, unless that was the The Cars album
Sharona is/was Sharona Alperin, Doug’s girlfriend at the time. She has her own real estate agency.
Music was about innuendo back in the day vs. saying it outright.
In 1979, we hired a band for our Homecoming dance because they could play this song.
Dec 1979 me and a buddy were driving from St. Louis to Pittsburgh to visit our respective families for Christmas. 10 hours on the road and I swear we heard this on the radio at least twice an hour. We were truly sick of Sharona. 🤣
High school days. Long long time ago.
Cheech and Chong covered it and changed the lyrics a little. My Scrotum!
One of Weird Al's first hits was a cover of this called 'My Bologna'
Yes and it was the lead singer of the Knack who heard him. One the
Dr. Demento show. He then took it to the record company.
The rest is history.
Sharon's was an sctudl person the writer of the song knew her lol a little fun fact for Travis and Suzy love you guys
I was also at that impressionable age when rock music from this era was calling out to me . The first single I purchased with my own allowance money was "Refugee" by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.
Fun song! Have good memories of listen to this song primarily of the movie “Catch Me If You Can” with Leo DiCaprio
Side note: favorite stage setting/club from the movie “That Thing You Do” is during the “Little Wild One” part. The energy of them up on stage in a Smokey room is intoxicating on its own merit!
Ps. There is a fantastic acoustic guitar cover here on RUclips of “Little Wild One” being played who greatly resembles “Kenny” 😊❤
Added: In case you are interested: his back is against a reddish painted wall and goes by the name “Kevin Knowles”
Hey Suzi and Travis great video I did not hear this song since the 80s old school days good choice OH by the way love your blue and red Suzi you look very nice like always . Keep up the good work love you both till next time xoxoxoxox💋
such a catchy bop ♥
lol...the 70's were different.
Run-Dmc - It's Tricky
The key change!
You got the Knack. I was 12-13 when this came out.
Lionel Messi on rhythm guitar and vocals. He's now known as the greatest football player on Earth (if you get it, you'll know) 😁
YEAH, THANKS FOR THE REQUEST, TO BAD THESE 2 COULDN'T PAUSE OR WAIT TILL THE SONG ENDED... EXTENDED ENDING LIVE WITH GREAT GUITAR SOLO... RUININED...
❤❤❤❤LOVE THIS 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶!!!!!❤❤❤❤
Wow, a way back song!
I now need to see you react on Nick Thurl's new song end up dead 😍
The Chipmunks did this song and didn’t change the lyrics
I like these guys. I bought the album, but I never understood the hype. Some music reviewers were calling them the next "Beatles." Right.... They did one good album and then disappeared.
You should listen to the chipmunks sing this.😂
ni vis was a live performance n i tink its btr van v recording!, lead giutarist wnt off, vey were feln it.
Biggest Single of 1979. #1 for 6 weeks here in Canada 🇨🇦
It's a shame you talked through the entire solo ... it was really good !!!
@ 03:40 - My generation was BORN to offend you !! .... ✌😎
Yep just a little hush on the guitar solo, it does take away the mood.
That's a very nice way of saying "shut the hell up during one of the best guitar solos in rock history! "😊
She and Doug did get together, but it didn't last. Many years later, she was driving with her son and the song came on. Her song asked if it was about her, and she had to tell him it was an old boyfriend who wrote it. Probably blew the poor kids mind to hear such a 'fresh' song towards his mother.
LOVE...THIS...SONG ‼️
No doubt DEI lives where i live ...... great work .......
Lol @geoffkinna9166 You are a kindred spirit. I don't have kids, so no next wave of music for me. I did have a band spawn in my lounge room. They did good, but they all grew up and moved on. I'll never grow up. :)
@@_Dei_ Hey mate ... sorry i've been out of ACTION ..... yes , kindred spirit seems apt . I love your work and the song So long has some meaning for me which i will explain later maybe .... I just saw your two The Church selections , great stuff .... Might see you at the Enmore ... if you make it your name will definitely be on the door ....
You can listen to this with your parents, aunts, uncles...no problem. They were singing and dancing to it themselves back in 1978. You know your generation didn't invent sexual innuendo....:)
Yes, all your relatives danced to this!
Ya, I didn't notice how fresh the lyrics were back in my innocent youth at all.