Visual Instincts

This is not the first song that I learnt to sign sing. It was one of the first where I did my own translation. You will have to forgive the camera angle, though I suspect those who know BSL/ Auslan, will get what this song is about. In lieu of captions, I have provided the full lyrics at the end of this post.

This performance was part of a performing arts day, at a school near where I was living in the UK at the time. This is about just over 10 years ago now. The song is Devil Gate Drive, a jolly good rocker, that is the perfect antidote to the crappy lovey-dovey stuff, Deafies love to do. While you all are waiting For the World To Change, I’ve gone down to Devil Gate Drive.

I have three more videos that I would like to share with you, and they will come. The songs are Respect by Aretha Franklin, Independence Day by Bruce Springsteen, and Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.

I will write more about my sign singing, but for now, let me introduce you to Tony the rock star, and I hope you enjoy the video for what it is. If you watch the oirginal video below, of Suzi performing the song, you will notice some of the moves are similar. At the time I performed this song, I hadn’t seen the video in years.

The Original video:

The Lyrics: Devil Gate Drive by Suzi Quatro

[Spoken:]
“Hey, you all want to go down to Devil Gate Drive?
Well, come on”!

“Welcome to ‘The Dive’!”

Well, at the age of five they can do their jive
Down in Devil Gate Drive
And at the age of six they’re gonna get their kicks
Down in Devil Gate Drive
Well your mama don’t know where your sister done go
She gone down to the Drive. She’s the start of the show
And let her move on up. Let her come let her go.
She can jive
Down in Devil Gate Drive

[Chorus:]
So come alive. Come alive
Down in Devil Gate Drive
So come alive. Come alive
Down in Devil Gate…down in Devil Gate
Down in Devil Gate Drive
Down in Devil Gate…down in Devil Gate
Down in Devil Gate Drive

When they reach their teens, that’s when they all get mean
Down in Devil Gate Drive
When I was sweet sisteen I was the jukebox queen
Down in Devil Gate Drive
I lead the angel pack on the road to sin
Knock down the gates!
Let me in. Let me in
Don’t mess me ’round, cause you know where I’ve been
To ‘The Dive’ down in Devil Gate Drive

[Chorus]

Well your mama don’t know where your sister done go
She goes down to the Drive. She’s the start of the show
Let her move on up. Let her come let her go.
She can jive
Down in Devil Gate Drive

[Chorus]

[Spoken:]
“Come on, boys. Let’s do it one more time for Suzi!
Are you ready, now?”

Come alive. Come alive Yeah!