After a Taylor Swift detour we’re back to Throwback Weekends, and this is a fun one. The week of May 18, 1974, saw country/pop artist Ray Stevens atop the Billboard Hot 100 with his novelty song ‘The Streak.’
Written in response to the rise in streaking at public events, the song finds Stevens portraying both a TV reporter and the main witness to streakers at a supermarket, a gas station, and a basketball game.
I guess people were just in a silly mood in mid-1974, because this song spent three weeks at #1.
This was Stevens’ second (and last) #1 hit. The first was the earnest spiritual song ‘Everything is Beautiful‘ (1970), a departure from his comic work.
He returned to his funny ways in the 80s, and was recording as recently as 2015, when he released the single ‘Taylor Swift is Stalkin’ Me.’
Hello, everyone, this is your action news reporter with all the news that is news across the nation, on the scene at the supermarket. There seems to have been some disturbance here. Pardon me, sir, did you see
What happened?
(Witness):
Yeah, I did. I’s standin’ overe there by the tomaters, and here he come, running through the pole beans, through the fruits and vegetables
Nekkid as a jay bird. And I hollered over to Ethel
I said, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it’s too late, she’d already been incensed
(Chorus)
Here he comes, look at that, look at that
There he goes, look at that, look at that
And he ain’t wearin’ no clothes
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
Fastest thing on two feet
Look at that, look at that
He’s just as proud as he can be of his anatomy
He goin’ give us a peek
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
He likes to show off his physique
Look at that, look at that
If there’s an audience to be found
He’ll be streakin’ around
Invitin’ public critique
(Reporter):
This is your action news reporter once again, and we’re here at the gas station. Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
(Witness):
Yeah, I did. I’s just in here gettin my tires checked, he just appeared out of the traffic. Come streakin’ around the grease rack there, didn’t have nothin’ on but a smile
I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin’ her a cold drink
I hollered, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too late. She’d already been mooned
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers
(Chorus)
He ain’t crude, look at that, look at that
He ain’t lewd, look at that, look at that
He’s just in the mood to run in the nude
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
Look at that, look at that
He likes to turn the other cheek
Look at that, look at that
He’s always makin’ the news
Wearin’ just his tennis shoes
Guess you could call him unique
(Reporter):
Once again, your action news reporter in the booth at the gym, covering the disturbance at the basketball playoff. Pardon me, sir, did you see what happened?
(Witness):
Yeah, I did. Half time, I’s just goin’ down thar to get Ethel a snow cone. And here he come, right out of the cheap seats, dribbling, Right down the middle of the court.
Didn’t have on nothing but his Reeboks
Made a hook shot and got out through the concessions stand. I hollered up at Ethel, I said, “Don’t look, Ethel!” But it was too late. She’d already got a free shot. Grandstandin’, right there in front of the home team
(Chorus) (Witness):
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
(Here he comes again)
Look at that, look at that
(Who’s that with him?)
The fastest thing on two feet
(Ethel? Is that you, Ethel?)
Look at that, look at that
(What do you think you’re doin’?)
He’s just as proud as he can be
(You git your clothes on!)
Of his anatomy
He’s gonna give us a peek
Oh, yes, they call him the Streak
(Ethel! Where you goin’?)
Look at that, look at that
(Ethel, you shameless hussy)
He likes to show off his physique
(Say it isn’t so)
Look at that, look at that
(Ethel! Ethel!)
If there’s an audience to be found
He’ll be streakin’ around
Invitin’ public critique
Meet Me In Montauk 
I actually remember this song, or at least the chorus, from my childhood.
Good tie in with Taylor Swift with his more recent song about her!
so funny š. Poor Ethel š