"Charles Atlas Song" is a song from the musical productions of The Rocky Horror Show since 1973, from the 1975 movie, from the 2015 tribute production celebrating 40 years, and from the 2016 reimagining movie. It was composed by Richard O'Brien with musical arrangements by Richard Hartley. Along with other several songs, this is not included in the 2010 Glee Cast Recording.
This song is not included in the 1973 Original London Cast recording because the album was recorded before "Charles Atlas Song", "Charles Atlas Song (Reprise)", "Eddie's Teddy", and "Planet Schmanet, Janet" were added to the show. Nonetheless, these songs were written in 1972 just as the rest of the music.
The original lyrics of the song made reference to a "magazine advert". Charles Atlas is the name behind a muscle-building program frequently advertised in comic books. It was popular in the 50's and promised to "make you a new man" in just "seven days" utilizing a method called "dynamic tension", which could very well be code for "anabolic steroids".
Lyrics (Roxy 1974)
Frank-N-Furter:
A weakling weighing 98 pounds
Got sand in his face
When kicked to the ground
His girl split on him
And then, in the gym
The sweat from his pores
As he works for his cause
Make him glisten, and gleam
And with massage
And just a little bit of steam
He was thin but quite clean
He was in good shape
Company:
But the wrong shape
Frank-N-Furter:
He ate nutritious high protein and swallow raw eggs
Try to build up his shoulders, his chest, arms, and legs
Then a magazine advert with a new muscle plan
Said in just seven days (Hablando: You're ready, my baby?)
Company:
I can make you a man (Frank-N-Furter: Man!)
Frank-N-Furter:
He'd done press ups and chin ups
Clean and jerked, done the Snatch
Thought dynamic tension must be a catch
So he re-read the advert to see how it ran
It said in just seven days (Hablando: You're ready, my sugar?)
Company (and Frank-N-Furter):
I can make you a (man!)
Click a logo to stream or buy:
- Original London Cast Recording (1973)
- Roxy Cast Recording (1974)
- Movie Cast Recording (1975)
- New Broadway Cast Recording (2001)
- Glee Cast Recording (2010)
- New Movie Cast Recording (2016)
