Songs Lyrics and YT- Youtube Music Videos

Elvis Presley - Hard Headed Woman

Elvis Presley - Hard Headed Woman Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Elvis' 30 #1 Hits
Released: 1958

Hard Headed Woman Lyrics

Well a Hard Headed Woman,
A soft hearted man
Been the cause of trouble
Ever since the world began.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

Now Adam told to Eve,
"Listen here to me,
Don't you let me catch you
Messing round that apple tree."
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

Now Samson told Delilah
Loud and clear,
"Keep your cotton picking fingers
Out my curly hair."
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

I heard about a king
Who was doing swell
Till he started playing
With that evil Jezebel.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been a thorn in the side of man.

I got a woman,
A head like a rock.
If she ever went away
I'd cry around the clock.
Oh yeah, ever since the world began
A hard headed woman been
A thorn in the side of man.

Writer/s: CLAUDE DE METRUIS
Publisher: IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Hard Headed Woman

"A hard headed woman's been a thorn in the side of a man."

This song finds Elvis using famous biblical figures to back up his assertion about uppity women: Adam and Samson kept a firm hand with Eve and Delilah, but Jezebel led the more lenient King Ahab astray.

It's all very tongue-in-cheek, of course: Elvis was always respectful and appreciative of the women in his life.

"Hard Headed Woman" was recorded on the RCA label backed by "Don't Ask Me Why," and written by the black songwriter Claude Demetrius; it was his biggest hit, although Mr. Presley went on to even bigger an greater things.

Demetrius also co-wrote the similarly themed Fats Domino song "Ain't That Just Like A Woman" and another hit for Presley: "I Was The One."

This short song, running to less than 2 minutes, was a #1 hit for Elvis Presley in his native USA, but in 1958 it was banned from airplay in the UK by that self-appointed guardian of public morals the BBC. The Beeb's Puritanical attitude over such matters is why it became known as Auntie.

Deep Purple fans may recognize this as one of several songs from this era alluded to in their song "Speed King."

Songwriters Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas took inspiration from this, but flipped the genders, for Dolly Parton's 1989 hit single "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That." That song's line, "I'm a softhearted woman, he's a hardheaded man" is an inversion of the line, "Well a hard headed woman, a soft hearted man."

Like Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl ," this is another famous track that drops the hyphen from its compound adjective (it should be "Hard-Headed Woman"). Check out other Songs with Bad Grammar in the Title .

The Poni-Tails - Born Too Late

The Poni-Tails - Born Too Late Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Born Too Late
Released: 1958

Born Too Late Lyrics

Born Too Late for you to notice me
To you, I''m just a kid that you won''t date
Why was I born too late?

Born too late to have a chance to win your love
Oh why, oh why was it my fate
To be born too late?

I see you walk with another
I wish it could be me
I long to hold you and kiss you
But I know it never can be

for I was

Born too late for you to care
Now my heart cries
Because your heart just couldn''t wait
Why was I born too late?

Born too late for you to care
Now my heart cries
Because your heart just couldn''t wait
Why was I born too la-a-a-a-ate?
Why was I born too late?
Too late

Writer/s: FRED TOBIAS, CHARLES STROUSE
Publisher: HOLEE MUSIC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Born Too Late

This was released as the B-side of "Come on Joey, Dance With Me," but some DJs in Cleveland flipped the record and played this instead. It went on to become a hit.

The Poni-Tails were a female vocal group from Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. The original members are often listed as Toni Cistone (lead), LaVerne Novak (high harmony) and Karen Topinka, but on their first single ("Your Wild Heart" back with "Que La Bozena," released on the Point Label in 1957), the group is listed as Cistone, Topinka and Patti McCabe, who is often reported to be Topinka's replacement. In fact, Novak was Topinka's replacement in 1958. Have a look at the single and learn more about the band in Song Images.

This was The Poni-Tails only hit in the US. In 1959 they had a #26 hit in the UK with "Early To Bed."

The Everly Brothers - Claudette

The Everly Brothers - Claudette Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Everly Brothers' Best
Released: 1958

Claudette Lyrics

Oh-oh Claudette
Oh-oh Claudette

I got a brand new baby and I feel so good
She loves me even better than I thought she would
I'm on my way to her house an I'm plumb outta breath
A-when I see her tonight I'm gonna squeeze her to death

[Chorus]
Claudette, pretty little babe Claudette
Never makes me wait Claudette
She's the greatest little girl that I've ever met
I get the best lovin'[ that I'll ever get
From Claudette, pretty little babe Claudette
Oh oh Claudette

Well I'm a lucky man my baby treats me right
Sheâ??s gonna let me hug and kiss and hold her tight
When the date is over and we're at her front door
When I kiss her good night I'll holler more more more

[Chorus]

When me an my new baby have a date or three
I'm gonna ask my baby if she'll marry me
I'm gonna be so happy for the rest of my life
When my brand new baby is my brand new wife

[Chorus]

Writer/s: Orbison, Roy
Publisher: Barbara Orbison Music Company, Roy Orbison Music Company
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Claudette

This song was written by Roy Orbison as a rocking tribute to his wife Claudette. It was the first major songwriting success for the then unknown Big O, who subsequently terminated his contract with Sun Records and affiliated himself with the Everly's publisher, Acuff-Rose Music.

The flip side of "All I Have to Do Is Dream," this was listed with the A-side though most of the record's chart action in the UK so it is recognized there as a #1 hit. Phil Everly said: "The idea was always to put the best up-tempo song and the best ballad back to back. When we were in Chicago, we asked Roy if he'd got a song for us. He gave us 'Claudette.'"

This was a number of hits for the Everlys about girls. Don and Phil charted with songs about Susie, Claudette, Mary, Jenny, Cathy, Lucille and Ebony.

Elvis Presley - One Night

Elvis Presley - One Night Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Elvis' 30 #1 Hits
Released: 1958

One Night Lyrics

One Night of sin, yeah
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and I saw
Would make the earth stand still

Don't call my name
It makes me feel so ashamed
I lost my sweet helping hand
I got myself to blame

Always lived, very quiet life
Ain't never did no wrong
But now I know that very quiet life
Has cost me nothing but harm

One night of sin, yeah
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and I saw
Would make the earth stand still

Always lived, very quiet life
Ain't never did no wrong
But now I know that very quiet life
Has cost me nothing but harm

One night of sin, yeah
Is what I'm now paying for
The things I did and I saw
Would make the earth stand still

Writer/s: BARTHOLOMEW, DAVE / KING, PEARL / STEIMAN, ANITA
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, IMAGEM U.S. LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

One Night

This was written by Dave Bartholomew and Dave King. Bartholomew wrote some of Fats Domino's hits, including "Walking To New Orleans," "Whole Lotta Lovin'" and "Blue Monday."

Smiley Lewis originally recorded this in 1956. His version hit #11 on the R&B charts, but didn't crack the Pop charts.

Elvis recorded this in February 1957. A year later, Elvis went into the army. During this time, Elvis was in Germany so his record company began releasing previously recorded tracks. In the US, this came out in 1958; in the UK it was released in 1959. It was Elvis' first song to reach the top of the UK charts after he went into the army.

In January 2005 this was re-released in the UK to commemorate Elvis' 70th birthday. It went to #1, replacing Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock," which was also re-released. It became the fourth track ever to be #1 twice and only the third time in UK chart history that an artist has replaced themselves at the top of the charts. The other two occasions occurred in 1963 when The Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" replaced "She Loves You" and in 1981 when John Lennon's "Woman" replaced "Imagine." Both songs were re-released following Lennon's assassination.

The Jordanaires do not appear on any version of this. They do appear on the flip side of the record, a song called "I Got Stung."

This was Elvis' last single to be released in the US in the 78 R.P.M. format. After this, all of his singles in the US were released as 45's. Only England, Canada and other countries continued releasing his singles as 78's for some years after this.

The song's second ascension to the chart's peak position in 2005 was the UK's 1000th #1 single.

Other cover versions include one by English Glam Rock band Mud, which reached #32 in the UK charts in 1975. Also Joe Cocker recorded the song under its original title of "One Night of Sin" as the title track of his 1989 album of the same name.

The Miracles - Got a Job

The Miracles - Got a Job Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Greatest Hits from the Beginning
Released: 1958

Got a Job Lyrics

Walked all day till my feet were tired
I was low, I just couldn't get hired
So I sat in a grocery store
"Help is light & I need some more"
(I Got a Job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
(repeat above 2 lines 3 times)
Well, I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
You've been houndin' me to get a job
Well I finally did & my boss is a slob
He's on my back really all day long
It seems like everything I do is wrong
Well, I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
(He says to me)
"Get the boxes, take 'em to the basement
Do the job right or I'll get a replacement
Get the mop & clean the dirty floors
& when you're finished wipe the windows & the doors"
I fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly fin'lly (got a job)
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Well, this man's about to drive me stone insane
One of these days I'm gonna have a fit
& though the boss keeps a-runnin' through my brain
I'll never (never) (never) (never) (never never quit my brand new job)
Workin' all day & workin' all night & workin' all day
(repeat previous 2 verses)
(repeat "Workin' all day & workin all night" & fade)

Writer/s: ROBINSON, SMOKEY / CARLO, TYRAN / GORDY JR, BERRY
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SONY ATV MUSIC PUB LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Got a Job

This was the first single by The Miracles, who were then a five-member group that included Smokey Robinson's bride-to-be, Claudette. Released on New York's End label, the song got a lot of Detroit airplay and a little elsewhere.

The song was an answer record to the Silhouettes' #1 hit "Get A Job." When he heard it, Robinson wrote "Got a Job" with the idea that songwriting would be his job.

Answer records are records which are replies to hits. Famous examples include:

Kitty Wells' "It Wasn't God who Made Honky Tonk Angels," replying to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life."

Jody Miller's "Queen of the House," replying to Roger Miller's "King Of The Road."

Thelma Carpenter's "Yes I'm Lonesome Tonight," replying to Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight."

The Temptations' "My Girl," replying to Mary Wells' "My Guy." (both songs also written by Smokey Robinson)

Carla Thomas' "I'll Bring it Home To You," replying to Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me."

And uniquely Fergal Sharkey's "You Little Thief," replying to his own "A Good Heart." ("You Little Thief" was written by Benmont Tench about his relationship with Maria McKee who had written "A Good Heart," based on Tench.)

This was penned by the then-teenage partnership of Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Berry Gordy's first major professional achievement was writing a series of hits for Jackie Wilson, beginning with "Reet Petite" in 1957. Soon afterwards he began producing records teaming up with aspiring singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson of The Miracles. Smokey recalled to Mojo magazine January 2014: "On 'Got a Job,' he really just loved it and when Berry likes something he gets very excited about it. He and I went to the piano and worked out chord progressions and some of the lyrical content."

Motown Records didn't exist yet, so this song was recorded at United Sound studios in Detroit and released on the label End Records.

The Chordettes - Lollipop

The Chordettes - Lollipop Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Greatest Hits
Released: 1958

Lollipop Lyrics

[Chorus:]
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop (pop)

[Repeat Chorus:]

Call my baby lollipop
Tell you why
His kiss is sweeter than an apple pie
And when he does his shaky rockin' dance
Man, I haven't got a chance

I call him

[Chorus:]
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop.....

Sweeter than candy on a stick
Huckleberry, cherry or lime
If you had a choice
He'd be your pick
But lollipop is mine

[Chorus:]
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop.....

Crazy way he thrills me
Tell you why
Just like a lightning from the sky
He loves to kiss me till I can't see straight
GEE, MY LOLLIPOP IS GREAT

I call him
[Chorus:]
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop.....

[Repeat Chorus:]

Writer/s: B. ROSS, J. DIXON
Publisher: CARLIN AMERICA INC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Lollipop

The Chordettes were a female vocal group from Sheboygan, Wisconsin who formed in 1946 by Jinny Lockard and three of her college friends. They became regulars on Arthur Godfrey's television show for 4 years in 1949, singing a cappella in the barbershop style. They first established themselves with "Mr. Sandman" in 1954 which stayed at #1 for 7 weeks. By this time the quartet was made up of Janet Ertel (bass), who married Archie Bleyer, the owner of Cadence Records, who they now were recording for, as well as Janet Ertel's sister-in-law Carol Buschman (baritone), Lynn Evans (lead singer) and Margie Needham (tenor), who had replaced Jinny Lockard in 1953.

This teen novelty song was originally recorded by Ronald And Ruby and got to #20 in the US. The Chordettes recorded it as a full round-like arrangement, complete with popping sounds.

Ronald and Ruby (real names Beverly Ross and Lee Morris) were a racially mixed duo, an unusual sight in the 50's. "Lollipop" was their only hit as a duo.

In the UK, this was the Chordettes biggest ever hit. A rival version by the UK vocal group The Mudlarks did better - peaking at #2.

This was featured in the 1986 film Stand By Me.

This was written by Beverly Ross and Julius Dixon. Ross had already been writing for artists like Bill Haley And The Comets ("Dim, Dim the Lights (I Want Some Atmosphere)"), and she was carving out a successful songwriting career for herself. She has 186 songs registered with Broadcast Music Incorporated including "Candy Man," by Roy Orbison, "Judy's Turn To Cry," by Lesley Gore, and "Remember When" by the Earls.

This song was sung in a 2009 advert for Dell computers.

There is an interesting story behind this song. Julius Dixson (who also used the spelling Dixon) and Beverly Ross had an important meeting with a music publisher. Ross arrived on time but Dixson was late and he gave the excuse that his daughter had got a lollipop stuck in her hair. As his wife was having trouble removing it from the screaming child, Dixson felt that he needed to stay home until the crisis had calmed down. On hearing this story, Beverly Ross sat down at the piano and immediately penned this song.

Conway Twitty - It's Only Make Believe

Conway Twitty - It's Only Make Believe Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Greatest Hits
Released: 1958

It's Only Make Believe Lyrics

People see us everywhere
They think you really care
But myself I can't deceive
I know It's Only Make Believe.

My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you.
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
But it's o-only make believe.

My hopes, my dreams come true, my life I'd give for you,
My heart, a wedding ring, my all, my everything.
My heart I can't control, you rule my very soul,
My only prayer will be someday you'll care for me
But it's o-only make believe.

My one and only prayer, is that some day you'll care,
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My prayers, my hopes, and my schemes, you are my every dream
But it's o-only make believe

Writer/s: NANCE, JACK / TWITTY, CONWAY
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

It's Only Make Believe

This was written by Conway Twitty with his drummer Jack Nance between sets at the Flamingo Lounge, Hamilton.

Conway Twitty was US singer Harold Lloyd Jenkins. He changed his name in 1957 upon signing with Sun Records (although nothing was released) and the next year he switched to MGM with whom he recorded this. He changed his musical style to country in 1965 and scored 41 chart toppers on the Country charts before dying from cardiac arrest in 1993.

In 1970, Glen Campbell's cover reached #10 in the US and #4 in Britain. UK singer Billy Fury also reached #10 with this in the UK in 1964.

Peggy Lee - Fever

Peggy Lee - Fever Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Best Of Peggy Lee
Released: 1958

Fever Lyrics

Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a Fever that's so hard to bear
You give me fever when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the mornin'
A fever all through the night

Sun lights up the day time
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name
And you know I'm gonna treat you right
You give me fever when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever in the mornin'
A fever all through the night

Everybody's got the fever
That is somethin' you all know
Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long time ago

Romeo loved Juliet
Juliet she felt the same
When he put his arms around her
He said, "Julie baby you're my flame"
Thou giveth fever, when we kisseth
Fever with thy flaming youth
Fever I'm on fire
Fever yea I burn forsooth

Captain Smith and Pocahontas
Had a very mad affair
When her daddy tried to kill him
She said "daddy oh don't you dare"
"He givess me fever with his kisses"
"Fever when he holds me tight"
"Fever, I'm his misses"
"Daddy won't you treat him right?"

Now you've listened to my story
Here's the point that I have made
Chicks were born to give you fever
Be it Fahrenheit or centigrade
They give you fever when you kiss them
Fever if you live and learn
Fever till you sizzle
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn
What a lovely way to burn

Writer/s: JOHN DAVENPORT, EDDIE COOLEY
Publisher: CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Fever

This tale of passionate love was originally recorded by a singer named Little Willie John. In 1937, he was born William Edgar John in Arkansas. He was one of the first R&B singers, fairly popular in the late '50s and early '60s. Although he was a major influence on Soul singers of the '60s, he remains relatively unknown today. His nickname came from his slight height - he was only 5'4". After stabbing a man to death, he was jailed for manslaughter and died in prison when he was only 30 years old. The cause of his death is disputed - with reasons given ranging from a heart attack, pneumonia, asphyxiation, or as the result of beatings received in prison. His songs have been covered by many artists - The Beatles recorded "Leave My Kitten Alone" for the Beatles for Sale sessions, but never released it (It did appear on their Anthology 1 cd-set). Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

There is some controversy over who wrote this, but according to Otis Blackwell, he wrote it with Eddie Cooley. Otis Blackwell was a singer/songwriter/pianist, but most well-known for his songwriting. Some famous songs he wrote/co-wrote are "Don't Be Cruel," "Great Balls of Fire," and "All Shook Up." Cooley was a songwriting partner on many of his songs, and accordingto Blackwell, they had an agreement that Cooley would split his weekly paycheck as a jeweler with him. They would pen songs together and Blackwell would go to New York City to "hustle" them.

Blackwell had this credited to the name John Davenport (his stepfather) because he was under contract at RCA and was concerned he wouldn't get royalties for it.

Blackwell said in an interview that Little Willie John didn't want to record this at first because he didn't like the finger snapping.

Peggy Lee recorded the most famous version of this song. She was born Norma Deloris Egstrom on May 26, 1920 in Jamestown, North Dakota. Her break came when she was discovered by bandleader Benny Goodman. Lee was a Blues-influenced Jazz singer and also a songwriter, with such hits as the songs from Disney's Lady and the Tramp, in which she also sang and voiced a few characters. A triple-threat of her day, she was also an actress with a role in a remake of The Jazz Singer and was nominated for an Oscar for her role as an alcoholic Blues singer in Pete Kelly's Blues.

Many artists, both male and female, have recorded this. Notable covers include Elvis, Tom Jones and Madonna. (thanks, Crystal - Springfield, MO, for all above)

The trade charts were so distorted in the 1950s that even though Willie John's original version, (which made #24 in the US) trailed Peggy Lee's, it outsold hers by 2 to 1. (thanks, Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England)

The Champs - Tequila

The Champs - Tequila Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Tequila
Released: 1958

Tequila Lyrics

Tequila

Tequila is an alcoholic beverage named after a town in Mexico. It is a key ingredient in Margaritas and is often done as a shot by licking salt, taking the drink, then sucking a lemon wedge. Many bars turn this song into a production, often offering shots of tequila directly from the bottle.

This was originally released as the B-side of an aptly named song by The Champs called "Train to Nowhere." Disc jockeys flipped the single and played "Tequila" instead, making the song one of the biggest hits of the '50s.

Danny Flores, who was the saxophone player in The Champs, wrote this song (it's credited to his pen name, Chuck Rio).

Flores had the melody kicking around for a while, and would play it as an interlude during the group's club shows. He was a tequila drinker, so when the band decided to record his melody as a B-side, he named it "Tequila" and added the spoken title, which he voiced.

According to Leo Kulka, who was the second engineer, this song was an afterthought after the band recorded "Train to Nowhere" (the A-side of the record). Some of the musicians had already left the studio when it was brought up that nothing had been recorded for the B-side. The remaining musicians were rounded up and the song was written on the spot. The "Tequila" part of the song was simply a silly attempt to cover up the holes in the song. After all, it was just the B-side. (thanks, Keith - Reno, NV)

Not performing on this record, but later members of the group were Glen Campbell, Jimmy Seals and Dash Crofts (Seals & Crofts of '70s fame). (thanks, WC - Charlotte, NC)

This was featured in the 1985 movie Pee Wee's Big Adventure. It was used in a scene where Pee Wee Herman wins over the crowd in a biker bar by doing a dance to the song. The movie was the first feature film directed by Tim Burton, and Danny Elfman wrote the score.

This won for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance at the first ever Grammy Awards in 1959. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Buddy Holly - Maybe Baby

Buddy Holly - Maybe Baby Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: The Buddy Holly Story
Released: 1958

Maybe Baby Lyrics

Maybe Baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me

It's funny honey, you don't care
You never listen, to my prayer
Maybe baby, you will love me some day

Well you are the one that, makes me glad
Any other one that, makes me sad
When some day, you'll want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see ee ee

Maybe baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me

Da da ta da da da da da da
Da da ta da da da da da da
Da da ta da da da da da da
Aughaa

Well you are the one that, makes me glad
Any other one that, makes me sad
When some day, you'll want me
Well, I'll be there, wait and see ee ee

Maybe baby, I'll have you
Maybe baby, you'll be true
Maybe baby, I'll have you for me

Maybe baby I'll have you for me

Writer/s: NORMAN PETTY, CHARLES HARDIN BUDDY HOLLY
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Maybe Baby

This was recorded Sept, 1957 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Background vocals were added later at Petty Studios in Clovis, NM.

Charles Hardin and Norman Petty wrote this. Hardin is Buddy Holly (real name Charles Hardin Holley) and Petty was his producer and manager. Holly's first 2 singles flopped, but he had a string of hits after he started working with Petty. (thanks, David - Lubbock, TX, for above 2)

This was credited to The Crickets, who were Holly's band. Holly had a deal with Decca Records where some songs were released under his name and others credited to the band.

Decca is a name the company made up. It was chosen because it was easy to say and pronounced the same way in any language.

The album The Buddy Holly Story is a compilation of his songs that was released a few weeks after he died in a plane crash.

Augie Rios - Donde Esta Santa Claus

Augie Rios - Donde Esta Santa Claus Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Ultimate Christmas Album Vol. 2
Released: 1958

Donde Esta Santa Claus Lyrics

Mamacita, Donde Esta Santa Claus?
Donde esta Santa Claus?
And the toys that he will leave.
Mamacita, oh, where is Santa Claus?
I look for him because it's a Christmas Eve.

I know that I should be sleeping,
But maybe he's not far away,
Out of the window I'm peeping,
Hoping to see him in his sleigh.

I hope he won't forget to clack his castinet,
And to his reindeer, say,
"Oh Pancho, Oh! Vixen, Oh! Pedro, Oh! Blitzen,"
Ole! Ole! Ole! cha cha cha.

Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?
Oh! Where is Santa Claus?
It's Christmas Eve.

Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?
I look for him because it's Christmas Eve.

I know that I should be sleeping,
But maybe he's not far away,
Out of the window I'm peeping,
Hoping to see him in sleigh.

I hope he won't forget to crack his castinet,
And to his reindeer, say,
"Oh Pancho, Oh! Vixen, Oh! Pedro, Oh! Blitzen,"
Ole! Ole! Ole! cha cha cha.

Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?
Oh! Where is Santa Claus?
It's Christmas Eve.

It's Christmas Eve.
It's Christmas Eve.
It's Christmas Eve.
Alright, Mamacita. I'll go to sleep now.
It's Christmas Eve...

Writer/s: PARKER GREINER, GEORGE SCHECK
Publisher: BARRY C. SCHECK DBA RAGTIME MUSIC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Donde Esta Santa Claus

Augie was a child actor who appeared on Broadway in musicals including Jamaica.

Augie recorded this holiday single for MGM Records. "Donde Esta Santa Claus" is Spanish for "Where Is Santa Claus?" (thanks, Jeff - Boston, MA, for above 2)

The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song

The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Very Best Of The Chipmunks
Released: 1958

The Chipmunk Song Lyrics

All right you Chipmunks
Ready to sing your song
I'll say we are, yeah
Let's sing it now
Okay, Simon?
Okay
Okay, Theodore?
Okay
Okay, Alvin? Alvin? Alvin
Okay

Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late

Okay fellas, get ready
That was very good, Simon
Naturally
Very good Theodore
Ah, Alvin, you were a little flat, watch it
Ah, Alvin, Alvin, Alvin
Okay

Want a plane that loops the loop
I still want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late

Very good, boys
Let's sing it again, yeah, lets sing it again
No, That's enough, lets not overdo it
What do you mean overdo it?
We want to sing it again
Now wait a minute, boys
Why can't we sing it again?
Alvin, cut that out Theodore, just a minute
Simon will you cut that out, boys

Writer/s: BAGDASARIAN, ROSS SR.
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

The Chipmunk Song

This was written and produced by Ross Bagdasarian (a.k.a. David Seville). The inspiration came to him from his youngest son, Adam, who had a habit of asking in September if it was Christmas yet. He figured if his son was already asking about the holiday so early, other kids probably were too.

The song went through three versions before Bagdasarian's family gave it the OK. The first version was an instrumental, the third was titled "In A Village Park," and the third and winner was "The Chipmunk Song." Bagdasarian came up with the idea for a trio of singing chipmunks after seeing one of those creatures on the road, refusing to move for his car.

Within three weeks of being released the song had sold over 2.5 million copies, making it the fastest-selling record of 1958. It hit #1 on December 22, 1958, and stayed there for four weeks. This is the last Christmas song to hit #1 in the US. (thanks, Jeff - Boston, MA, for above 3)

The Chipmunks were called Alvin, Simon and Theodore. They were named after Liberty Records president Al Bennett, owner Si Warnoker and the engineer on duty when it was recorded, Ted Keep.

This was the first Chipmunks single, although David Seville had previously recorded two singles using his pitched-up voice technique. The first was "Witch Doctor," which went to #1 US in April 1958. On that song, the chirpy voice represented the witch doctor, not a rodent. When Seville expanded the act he came up with the Chipmunks concept, creating three distinct characters, each with their own voices. "The Chipmunk Song" was their first single, and it set the stage for Chipmunk domination, which would later include TV series and movies.

The Chipmunks were very popular for the next few years; "Alvin's Harmonica" went to #3 in 1959, and the rodents got their on cartoon series - The Alvin Show - which ran from 1961-1962. They had some success with a 1964 album of Beatles covers, but by the end of the decade, it seemed that fad had passed.

Seville died of a heart attack in 1972, and in 1979, his son Ross Bagdasarian Jr. assumed control of The Chipmunks, doing the voices of David Seville, Alvin, and Simon, while Ross Jr's wife Janice Klarman did the voice for Theodore. In 1983, they got another TV series, Alvin and the Chipmunks, which ran until 1990. In the '00s, there was another Chipmunk resurgence, with a series of movies and some novelty cover songs that placed on the Hot 100 (their version of "Bad Day" made #67; "Funkytown" went to #86). In 2015 they got yet another TV series, this one called ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks.

Like many hit Christmas songs, this returned to the charts several times around the holiday season. Here are the chart placings on the Hot 100:

1959, #41
1960, #45
1961, #39
1962, #40

A new version of the song reached #66 in 2007, thanks to the box office success of the film Alvin And The Chipmunks.

This won three Grammy Awards: Best Comedy Performance, Best Recording For Children, and Best Engineered Record - Non-Classical (this one went to engineer Ted Keep, the namesake for Theodore).

Random trivia: Ross Bagdasarian can be seen playing the piano as a struggling composer in the Alfred Hitchcock movie classic Rear Window starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. (thanks, Terry - Willmar, MN)

Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly

Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Little Richard 2
Released: 1958

Good Golly Miss Molly Lyrics

Good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
Well good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
When you're shakin'
And a shoutin'
Can you hear your mama call

Well from the early, early morning
To the early, early night
When I caught miss Molly rocking
At the house of blue light, Oooh

Good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
When you're
Rocking and a rolling
Can you hear your mama call

Well now Mama, papa told me, son
You better watch your step
What I knew about miss Molly
Got to watch my daddy myself

Good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
Well good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
When you're shakin'
And a shoutin'
Can you hear your mama call

Well from the early, early morning
To the early, early night
When I caught miss Molly rocking
At the house of blue light, Oooh

Good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
When you're
Rocking and a rolling
Can you hear your mama call

Yeah good golly, miss Molly
Ah good golly, miss Molly, Oooh
Oh good golly, miss Molly
Yeah you sure like to ball
When you're shakin'
And a shoutin'
Can you hear your mama call

Writer/s: R. BLACKWELL, J MARASCALCO
Publisher: COHEN AND COHEN
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Good Golly Miss Molly

The title was taken from the pet phrase of one of Little Richard's favorite DJ's, Jimmy Pennick. Musically, the song was inspired by the sax player Jackie Brenston, famous for singing lead and playing with Ike Turner on the song "Rocket 88."

Like most of Little Richard's songs, this contains a lot of innuendo ("sure like to ball") but most people were too busy listening to the music to notice or didn't get the reference. At the time, the most common meaning for "balling" was dancing, it only later became a popular euphemism for oral sex. The term later took on a new meaning when it came describe a lavish and extravagant lifestyle, with these guys flashing their cash known as "ballers."

Little Richard's publisher sued Creedence Clearwater Revival over their song "Travelin' Band," which they claimed lifted from "Molly." A settlement was reached with Creedence giving up some of their royalties.

The Silhouettes - Get A Job

The Silhouettes - Get A Job Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Get A Job
Released: 1958

Get A Job Lyrics

Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get A Job, sha na na na, sha na na na na

Ev'ry morning about this time
She get me out of my bed
A-crying, get a job
After breakfast ev'ry nay
She throws the want ads right my way
And never fails to say
Get a job, sha na na na, sha na na na na

Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job, sha na na na, sha na na na na

And when I get the paper
I read it through and through
And my girl never fails to say
If there is any work for me
And when I go back to the house
I hear the woman's mouth
Preaching and a-crying
Tell me that I'm lying
'Bout a job that I never could find

Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job, sha na na na

And when I get the paper
I read it through and through
And my girl never fails to say
If there is any work for me
And when I go back to the house
I hear the woman's mouth
Preaching and a-crying
Tell me that I'm lying
'Bout a job that I never could find

Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job, sha na na na, sha na na na

Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na
Sha na na na, sha na na na na

Writer/s: Horton, William F / Beal, Earl T / Lewis, Richard A / Edwards, Raymond W
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Get A Job

This song was written by group member Richard Lewis when he was in the US army. When Lewis returned to his Philadelphia home, he joined a church quartet, the Gospel Tornadoes, which evolved into a secular group, the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds recorded for a local label (Kae Records) owned by DJ Kae Williams, whose first act as manager of the group was to suggest that they change their name. Group member Earl Beal offered The Silhouettes, (after the hit by the Rays, and also the Diamonds), which all concerned liked.

When the single started to sell, the master recording was sold to Ember Records, which reissued the record for national distribution. It hit #1 -- the only single by the Silhouettes to make the national charts. (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above)

Clyde McPhatter - A Lover's Question

Clyde McPhatter - A Lover's Question Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: The Best Of Clyde McPhatter
Released: 1958

A Lover's Question Lyrics

Does she love me, with all her heart
Should I worry, when we're apart
It's A Lover's Question, I'd like to know.

Does she need me, as she pretends
Is this a game, well then will I win
It's a lover's question, I'd like to know

I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.

Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.

I'd like to know when she's not with me
If she's still true to me
I'd like to know when we're kissing
Does she feel just what I feel,
And how am I to know it's really real.

Oh, tell me where, the answer lies
Is it in her kiss or in her eyes
It's a lover's question I'd like to know.

Writer/s: BENTON, BROOK / WILLIAMS, JIMMY
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

A Lover's Question Song Chart

This was McPhatter's first Top 10 hit after leaving the Drifters. He wrote the song with Brook Benton, who had his first of 24 US Top 40 hits in 1959 with "It's Just A Matter Of Time." Benton sang the demo version of "A Lover's Question," which his producer Clyde Otis then presented to Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records, who liked it so much that they invited Benton and Otis to come into the studio and recreate that feel for Clyde McPhatter's hit version of the tune. That's Benton doing the finger snaps.

Bobby Darin - Splish Splash

Bobby Darin - Splish Splash Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Bobby Darin Story
Released: 1958

Splish Splash Lyrics

Splish, splash, I was takin' a bath
Long about a Saturday night, yeah
A rub dub, just relaxin' in the tub
Thinkin' everythin' was alright

Well, I stepped out the tub
I put my feet on the floor
I wrapped the towel around me and I
Opened the door

And then a-splish, splash
I jumped back in the bath
Well, how was I to know
There was a party goin' on?

There was a-splishin' and a-splashin'
Reelin' with the feelin'
Movin' and a-groovin'
Rockin' and a-rollin', yeah, yeah

Bing, bang, I saw the whole gang
Dancin' on my living room rug, yeah
Flip, flop, they was doin' the bop
All the teens had the dancin' but

There was lollipop with a Peggy Sue
Good golly, Miss Molly was-a even there, too
A- well-a, splish, splash, I forgot about the bath
I went and put my dancin' shoes on, yeah

I was a-rollin' and a-strollin'
Reelin' with the feelin'
Movin' and a-groovin'
Splishin' and a-splashin', yeah

Yes, I was a-splishin' and a-splashin'
I was a-rollin' and a-strollin'
Yeah, I was a-movin' and a-groovin'
We was a-reelin' with the feelin'
We was a-rollin' and a-strollin'
Movin' with the groovin'
Splish, splash, yeah

Splishin' and a-splashin'
One time I was splishin' and a-splashin'
Ooh, I was movin' and a-groovin'
Yeah, I was splishin' and a-splashin'

Writer/s: Darin, Bobby / Murray, Jean
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Splish Splash Song Chart

This song was written quickly, but it wasn't written by Darin alone. Peter Altschuler at the Murray the K archives explains:
"The title was suggested by Murray 'the K' Kaufman's mother, Jean, but she also penned the music; Bobby and Murray wrote the lyrics. Murray was a very influential DJ in New York, and had been championing Bobby for awhile, but Darin's recordings weren't going anywhere. The two, however, had become good friends and, one weekend, played together in a softball game in Central Park. Afterward, they walked to Murray's apartment just south of the park and recovered by soaking their feet in basins of Epsom salts.

"As she did every day, Murray's mother Jean called to check on her only son, and Murray told her about the game (a celebrity event to promote some good cause or other) and about "the agony of de feet." As soon as the call ended, the phone rang again, and Jean, who'd been a piano player in vaudeville, announced she had an idea for a song - 'Splish, splash, take a bath.' With that as a starting point, Murray and Bobby worked on the lyrics, Jean collaborated on the tune, and they marched the song over to Atlantic Records, which was Darin's label. At Atlantic, according to Jerry Wexler when I spoke with him in the mid '80s, he thought that the song had a chance, but Ahmet Ertegun was dead set against it. Jerry, of course, prevailed, and the tune became Darin's first of many hits.

"Whether Wexler's story is accurate (Ertegun claimed in a PBS documentary about Darin that he was the song's defender) is moot. Yet the notion that 'Splish Splash' leapt fully formed from Darin's mind like Athena from the head of Zeus is just as mythological."

Murray also co-wrote and performed "It's What's Happenin', Baby" (backed with "Sins of A Family" by P.F. Sloan ), a song that was done primarily to promote Murray's signature phrase and his connection to the CBS television special of the same name that he hosted and co-produced in 1965 for the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity. Beyond that, his contribution to the world of Pop music was 2 novelty tunes from the early '50s: "Out Of The Bushes" (co-written by guitar great Billy Mure who also composed Murray's "Swingin' Soiree" theme, which was performed by the Delicates who, later, became the Angels) and "The Crazy Otto Rag" - on which he was the singer, plus "The Lone Twister" which he did as a contest promo for WINS radio, his home from 1958-1965.

In their continuing quest to encourage kids to take baths, Sesame Street has used this on a few of their albums. It is a very popular song for kids, especially when performed by Elmo.

This was released on Atlantic Records at a time when they were struggling to pay their artists. According to Jerry Wexler, who ran the company with Ahmet Ertegun, they had stopped paying themselves and needed money to resign The Clovers when this song and "Yakety Yak" by The Coasters broke through and got the company out of trouble. Atlantic went on to sign Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones and many other legendary artists.

The "Movin' and a groovin'" lyric was lifted from a 1958 Duane Eddy song called "Moovin' 'N' Groovin'." Eddy claimed that Darin asked permission to use it, which he happily granted. "That's just music, sharing little bits of melody and all," said Eddy.

This was Bobby Darin's first hit. He had signed with Atlantic Records after an unsuccessful stint at Decca. After three unsuccessful session at Atlantic with Herb Abramson producing, Ahmet Ertegun, who was head of the label, decided to produce Darin himself. "Splish Splash" was recorded on April 10, 1958 along with "Judy Don't Be Moody" and "Queen of the Hop." The recording took place at Atlantic's studios in New York with their renowned engineer Tom Dowd at the controls. Darin soon became a star, but left Atlantic for Capitol Records in 1962.

Buddy Holly - It's So Easy

Buddy Holly - It's So Easy Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: The Buddy Holly Story
Released: 1958

It's So Easy Lyrics

Can't be sleepin'
Keep on wakin'
Is that the woman next to me?
Guilt is burning
Inside I'm hurting
This ain't a feeling I can't keep

So blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
Blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

Blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
So blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

Can't you see it, I was manipulated by it
Too little to the dawn
I had no choice in this
I was a friend she missed
She needed me to talk

So blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
Blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

Blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
So blame it on the night
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

Oh I'm so sorry, so sorry baby
Yeah
Ooh I got defense (oh I promise I'll be better this time, I will be better this time)
Oh I promise (I'll be better this time, I will be better this time)

Don't blame it on me
Don't blame it on me

Writer/s: HARRIS, CALVIN / NEWMAN, JAMES / NEWMAN, JOHN
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

It's So Easy Song Chart

This was written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty and recorded at Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico from June-August, 1958. Petty was Holly's producer and manager. (thanks, David - Lubbock, TX)

This was the last single Holly recorded with The Crickets. In the last few months of his life, he moved to New York and began recording with more elaborate production techniques, including string sections.

Holly was known for his innovative guitar riffs, but he didn't play lead on this one. A session guitarist named Tommy Allsup did. Allsup played in Holly's band on his last tour.

Many of Holly's fans consider this one of his best songs, but it was never released as a single.

Linda Ronstadt had a hit with this in 1977. Her version went to #5 in the US.

On October 28, 1958, Buddy Holly lip-synched this and "Heartbeat" the TV show American Bandstand. It was his last national TV appearance before his death. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Buddy Holly was a major influence on The Beatles, and in 2011, Paul McCartney recorded this song for the tribute album Rave On Buddy Holly, which was issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Holly's birth.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless

Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: The Best Of Jerry Lee Lewis
Released: 1958

Breathless Lyrics

Now, if you love me,
let's please don't tease
If I can hold you then
let me squeeze
My heart goes 'round and 'round
My love comes tumblin' down

You leave me Breathless
Oh, I shake all over and
you know why
I'm sure it's love and
that's no lie
'cause when you call my name
I burn like wood inflamed

You leave me Breathless
Oh, baby! Mm-mm. Crazy!
You're much too much
I can't love you enough
Now it's all right to hold me tight,
but when you love me
love me right

Now, come on, baby
Don't be shy
'cause love was meant for you and I
Wind, rain, sleet or snow
I will be wherever you go
You leave me Breathless

Writer/s: BLACKWELL, OTIS
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Breathless Song Chart

This was sinking without a trace when Dick Clark made the following offer on his show: a free copy of the "Breathless" 45 for 5 Beechnut gum wrappers and fifty cents shipping and handling. As a result "Breathless" reached the Top 10 and Beechnut outsold Wrigley for only the third time in history.

This was Lewis's last Top 10 hit before his career was derailed by scandal. He married the 13-year-old daughter of his cousin, and when word got out, radio stations stopped playing his songs.

Richard Gere's 1983 movie Breathless featured both Jerry Lee Lewis' hit of the same name and a version by the LA punk group X. In the film, Gere sings some of the song to his love interest before grabbing a gun and firing on police who are closing in on him. The credits then roll as the X version plays.

So how did X end up recording the song? Before the band performed the song on their David Letterman Show appearance, X guitarist John Doe told the host: "They called us up and said, 'We hear you do a wonderful version of this song.' And we didn't, so we BS'd our way through it and said, 'Sure, of course we do.' We ran back to the studio, rehearsed it up and recorded it in about a week."

Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential

Jerry Lee Lewis - High School Confidential Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Jerry Lee Lewis
Released: 1958

High School Confidential Lyrics

You better open up honey its your lover boy me that's a knockin'
You better listen to me sugar all the cats are at the High School rockin'
Honey get your boppin' shoes Before the juke box blows a fuse
Got everybody hoppin' everybody boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
I've rollin' at the High School Hop
I've been movin' at the High School Hop
Everybody''s hoppin' Everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Come on little baby gonna rock a little bit tonight
Woooh I got get with you sugar gonna shake things up tonight
Check out the heart beatin' rhythm cause my feet are moving smooth and light
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Rollin' at the High School Hop
Movin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin' just a boppin' just a boppin'

Come on little baby let me give a piece good news good news good news
Jerry Lee is going to rock away all his blues
My hearts beatin' rhythm and my soul is singin' the blues
Oooooh Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Rollin' at the High School Hop
Gettin' it at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin' Everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Solo Time!
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Rollin' at the High School Hop
Movin' at the High School Hop
Well Everybody's hoppin' Everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop

Writer/s: LEWIS, HARGRAVE
Publisher: BRASSTACKS ALLIANCE, PENRON MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

High School Confidential Song Chart

This was the song that was riding up the charts when news of Lewis' marriage to his 13-year-old second cousin broke out. Upon hearing this, Sun Records canceled distribution of the record to DJs and it stalled at #21 on the charts. The song's sharp decline down the charts is shown in the bio movie Great Balls Of Fire. (thanks, Denny - Pittsburgh, PA)

This was the title track to a movie in which Lewis appeared. There was a sequel to the movie called College Confidential, which had no theme song and no Lewis.

Unlike his previous hits "Crazy Arms" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On,'" Lewis wrote this song himself.

Ritchie Valens - La Bamba

Ritchie Valens - La Bamba Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Ritchie Valens
Released: 1958

La Bamba Lyrics

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Yo no soy marinero
Yo no soy marinero, soy capitan
Soy capitan, soy capitan
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba, bam

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba

Para bailar La Bamba
Para bailar La Bamba
Se necessita una poca de gracia
Una poca de gracia
Para mi, para ti, ay arriba, ay arriba
Ay, arriba arriba
Por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere

Bamba, bamba
Bamba, bamba

Bamba, bamba

Writer/s: TRADITIONAL
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

La Bamba Song Chart

"La Bamba" is a traditional Mexican folk song that became a hit for the young rocker Ritchie Valens after he died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959 along with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. The song is very popular with Mariachi bands and is often played at weddings. The lyrics are in Spanish: "Para bailar la Bamba se necessita una poca de gracia" means "To dance La Bamba you need to have a little grace."

A little translation:

The verses start with a man telling his fiancée, "I'm not a sailor, I'm a captain," indicating his big ambitions. In the next verse he sings, "In order to get to heaven you need a big ladder and a little ladder, a little ladder and a big ladder." At this point, he's climbing for the heavens, then comes the refrain where he says, "Up and up and up I'll go." The song if filled with the optimism of youth, and hit the mark with the teenage audience that consumed this early rock.

This song was only a modest hit when it was released in November, 1958, but it became far more popular when the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba was released in 1987. The movie was a big deal because it was the first major, mainstream Hollywood film with a Hispanic subject. The movie was released in the United States in both Spanish and English versions, and Coca-Cola did a marketing tie-in targeting the Hispanic population in America - a population that would grow considerably in size and influence over the next several years.

The movie was made with the assistance and blessing of the Valens family, and starred Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie. Marshall Crenshaw played Buddy Holly, Brian Setzer played Eddie Cochran, and Taylor Hackford was the director. The music in the film, including the new version of the title track, was performed by Los Lobos. Their version went to #1 in both the UK and US. When we spoke with Louie Perez of Los Lobos , he said that the Valens family asked them to do the film. "For us, it was to bring attention to him and his legacy," he said. "We did it out of really believing in his story."

Unlike most songs with titles that are the name of a dance, this one doesn't give any specific instructions on how to do the dance, so alas, there was no "La Bamba" dance craze. In this song, the singer is expressing how he feels about the dance - a generally good one, as assumed because of what he says about it and the beat/rhythm of the song.

The title does not have a literal translation. The closest associated word is "Bambolear," which means "To Swing."

Thanks to the movie, this became Valens' best known song, but it was far from his biggest hit: that would be "Donna," which made it to #2. "La Bamba" was the B-side of that single, and it began a chart run when "Donna" faded, peaking at #22 a few days after Valens died. It was Valens' producer, Bob Keane, who suggested a new version of "La Bamba" to use as the B-side of "Donna."

Valens was born Richard Valenzuela in Pacoima, California to Mexican-Indian parents. He didn't speak fluent Spanish, but could understand his mother and speak a fair Spanglish. He did, however, make a huge impact on the Hispanic audience in the United States, who saw one of their own become the first rock star. Others who followed include Chris Montez, Trini Lopez, and Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs.

A young guitarist named Carol Kaye played on this track. She was playing in Jazz clubs in 1957 when she picked up some session work, and she went on to become one of the most prolific studio musicians of the '60s and '70, mostly on bass. Working on "La Bamba" was big moment for her. Said Kaye: "What was nice about working for Ritchie Valens was about that time, I was feeling like I didn't want to do studio work. Because I missed Be-Bop and I knew it was going to be rough to make a living in Jazz. But Ritchie Valens was so nice and so warm, and he made the date so pleasant. I thought if they're all like this, then studio work I can do."

When the Los Lobos version of this song hit #1, Taylor Hackford became the first director with consecutive #1 hits from four films: "Up Where We Belong" from An Officer And A Gentleman, "Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)" from Against All Odds, and both "Separate Lives" and "Say You Say Me" from White Nights.

Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody of this song called "Lasagna," which is all about Italian food. (thanks, Steph - SoCal, CA)

The Los Lobos remake of this song was the first song with all Spanish lyrics to hit #1 in America. It was a huge break for the band, which was playing weddings in the Los Angeles area just a few years earlier.

Ritchie Valens was just 17 when this song was released, and was the same age when he died. He made his first recordings in March 1958, so he was actively recording only for about 10 months. Not much was known about him, and a common misperception was that he was from either Texas or Mexico.

For Buddy Holly, the resurgence came when Don McLean recorded his tribute "American Pie," and for Valens, it was the 1987 movie that brought him to the public's attention. Unlike Holly, whose song "It Doesn't Matter Any More" made #13 when it was released after his death, none of Valens' posthumous releases hit the Top 40. He didn't even have an album out when the plane crashed.