Mr. Softee Driving People Nuts?

In an article that will surely win The New York Times a Pulitzer, Dan Barry undergoes an experiment with the Mr. Softee jingle. Gothamist and our readers are very familiar with the jingle, but Barry sums it up nicely as, "Duh-DUH-duh-duh duh-duh-duhduh-duh-duh-duh-duh-DUH-duuuh-duh. . . ." Wait- isn't that one 'duh' too many? Anyway, Barry explores the hypnotic effects of the jingle and reveals that the jingle actually has words!

My milkshakes and my sundaes and my cones are such a treat / Listen for my store on wheels ding-a-ling down the street / The creamiest, dreamiest soft ice cream you get from Mister Softee. . . .

Recently, City Hall has proposed outlawing the Mr. Softee jingle. James Conway Jr., an ice cream executive (some might say he has the best job ever), reveals that Mister Softee has a lobbyist that is working with the City Council and the mayor to reach a compromise on the jingle. Conway also reveals that there is a technology that stops the song when the ice cream truck stops. Well, hot damn! Where has this been all our lives? And who ever thought you could make a living as an ice cream lobbyist? Where do we sign up to be the local voice of the BBQ industry?

No matter how much we dislike the Mr. Softee song, we know that summer will not be the same without it. Now we not only have a craving for ice cream, but we also have the song stuck in our heads. Damn Pavlovian effects. Gothamist isn't quite at the point of the Mister Softee drivers are at, who after repeated listening to the song have "become desensitized". [Mr. Softee has a website and some of the most disturbing merchandise we have every seen. No word yet on whether Mr. Softee has a posse.]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By tien mao in News on June 23, 2004 12:10 PM

Comments [rss]

guest

I worked on a Mr. Softee truck for a year. I think that jingle began making me insane after a few weeks. I even made up words to the song:

Kids go run to your moms and dads cuz here comes Mr. Softee.

Break open your wallets and piggy banks, I'm here to take your money.

The ice cream's warm the cones are broke, the shakes are all lumpy.

But I don't care; yeah it's all good I'll still take your money!

will

It seems to me in a era of loud thumping bass from rap music that shakes the pictures off the walls, people could put up with a mr softee theme song good lord i can think of many other things far worst then that people need to lighten up and stop hating on a legend in this country mr softee

Francisco Davilla

Mr Softee is the man. The song reminds me of fun summer days growing up in Brooklyn. When the ice cream truck came rolling down Myrtle Ave it made all the neighborhood kids happy.

How about you guys up in city hall do something about all the noise made by the gun shots I also heard as a child, I don't miss that.

jim

Thanks to those of you for being supportive.

Our franchise drivers are a diverse, hard working group. We really try to serve the best quality product at reasonable prices. Next year will be Mister Softee's 50th anniversary and we look forward to celebrating it with our best customers in NYC !

To the Gothamist: Great site, keep up the good work.

Best regards,

Jim Conway

Mister Softee Inc.

Rich T.

The government could surely find something more important to do than to consider legislation about the music from Mr. Softee Trucks.

I've heard of the city wasting money and time before, but this is surely one of the toppers. Our streets, pay phones, bus stops and subway stations are filthy. Parts of the city are overrun with rats and Mayor Bloomberg was actually on TV talking about the jingle and the complaints he got about it - from a bunch of jerks that forgot what it was like to be a kid in NYC.

This guy is the most out-of-touch politician I've seen in my 51 years. I wish Mr. Softee would run against Mike Bloomberg in the next election - he'd get my vote.

Rich T.

Ray

The same type of people who complain about Mister Softee music are the one who tore down the Hawks nest in NYC.

The Chief

We know about you, those who hate Mr Softee... and all the good memories we remember! Your mothers never let you have any Mr Softee because you were all to busy practicing your piano lessons. How pitiful, get a life!! Oh and stuff your cell phone while your at it.

bob

mr. softee is my dad. SO BACK OFF!

Kustard King

how about all of the diesel fumes that young developing kids are being exposed to as Mr. Softee parks his gas guzzling trucks on corners for hours. no wonder kids have the asthma!

Aaron

Those who find the Mr.Softee song harmless have never had one of those demon trucks park on the corner and broadcast for the better part of an afternoon.

Imagine the world's most annoying 7 year-old redhead belting out barney songs for 4 hours in your bedroom. NOT fun.

Jason

We didn't have Mister Softee in my town on Long Island. So I didn't hear him until I went to college in Buffalo.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I always hummed along with the song, and then for the last few notes, sang "it's fuckin' Mister Softee." I still do that on the street, usually under my breath so I don't corrupt young minds.

Try it! It's fun.

Sam T

Actually, that appears to be 1 "duh" too *few*, if you are counting notes exactly...

Kevin Walsh

Who could dislike the Mister Softee jingle?

The kind of person who kicks dogs and steps on bugs, that's who.

www.forgotten-ny.com

Tim N.

I don't know, it's totally irrational, but it's just no NYC in the summertime without the Mr. S trucks and the jingle. Kinda like Times Square's not Times Square without the hookers.

jenny

if any of you were lucky enough to watch "In the Papers" on NY1 this morning, Pat Kiernan was nice enough to translate the "duh-DUHs" into singing. He had a decent voice.

saltydog

You know, I've been here for years. Seen many a Mr. Softee truck. I can't recall ever once hearing any music coming from it.

The real noise problems in this city are early morning garbage trucks and early morning construction. These should be prohibited before 10am at least. Some of us are not morning people after all...

Josh

Mister Softee hackey sack? Mister Softee pinwheel? Who buys pinwheels?!

Kustard King

new york has decent bbq for those willing to cross 125th st. flex yo' metrocard son!

ps, mr. softee must die!

Chris

In order to warrant a barbecue lobbyist, New York is first going to have to get some decent barbecue, don't you think?

Kevin

So this pirate walks up to a Mr. Softee truck with a little steering wheel, like that used to steer a pirate ship, sticking out of his fly. The driver asks "What can I get 'cha?" and the pirate motions (using his hook, of course) towards the picture and says "Yaaarrrrr gimme a swirled cone!!!! And one for me parrot!". "No problem, Mr. Pirate" responds the Mr. Softee truck driver "but I think you should know that you have a little steering wheel sticking out of your fly." The pirate, with a look of extreme discomfort on his face, replies "Aye..... and it's drivin' me nuts, yaaaaaaarrrrrggghhhh!!!!".