Picariello grew up in the North Boston suburb of Lynn and learned to play guitar as a boy. In high school, he formed a band and tried to emulate the hard-driving style of Little Richard. Picariello eventually signed with Philadelphia label Swan Records, a recording studio in which Dick Clark had an interest. Clark brought Picariello national exposure through numerous appearances on Clark's TV show, American Bandstand. Cannon holds the record for most appearances by a performer (110) on Bandstand! He and Clark continued to collaborate on Bandstand reunion concerts long after the TV show ended.
By 1959, Picariello was singing using the stage name, Freddy Cannon. He was also called "Boom Boom" because of his thundering musical renditions and the "Cannon" name. From 1959 through the early 60s, Cannon had three Top Ten hit:
Palisades Park
Tallahassee Lassie (A song written by Cannon's mother. It was also the first of 22 songs which appeared on the Billboard Charts for Cannon.)
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
On June 24, 1966, Cannon played himself and performed one of his own songs during the final episode of the teen soap opera "Never Too Young." The role of Cannon was played by David Julian Hirsh in George Clooney's 2003 film, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.'
As of 2006, Cannon was a resident of Tarzana, California, and continued performing in concert.
Tallahassee Lassie
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She got a hi-fi chassis (woo)
Maybe looks a little sassy (woo)
But to me, she's real classy (woo)
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Well, she's romping to the Drag
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
Stomping to the Shag (woo)
Rocks the Bunny Hop
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Well, she dances to the Bop
She dances to the Stroll
She dances to the Walk (woo)
She can rock and roll
She's my Tallahassee lassie (woo)
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie (woo)
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Well, she comes from Tallahassee (woo)
She got a hi-fi chassis (woo)
Maybe looks a little sassy (woo)
But to me, she's real classy (woo)
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Well, she's romping to the Drag
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
Stomping to the Shag (woo)
Rocks the Bunny Hop
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Well, she dances to the Bop
She dances to the Stroll
She dances to the Walk (woo)
She can rock and roll
She's my Tallahassee lassie (woo)
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie (woo)
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Come on, baby
Come on, honey
Yeah, come on, sugar
Come on, baby
The lyrics to Freddy Cannon's song "Tallahassee Lassie" describe the singer's love interest who hails from Tallahassee, Florida. The song describes her as having a "hi-fi chassis" and being "sassy", but the singer finds her to be "real classy". The chorus repeats the sentiment that she is his "Tallahassee lassie", with various dance styles mentioned that she is skilled at.
The verses detail some of the various dance styles that the Tallahassee lassie can perform, including the drag, cha-cha, rag-a-mop, shag, bunny hop, bop, stroll, and walk. The chorus repeats after each verse, emphasizing the singer's affection for his talented and beautiful partner.
On the surface, "Tallahassee Lassie" is a simple and fun rock 'n' roll song about dancing and love. However, some have noted that the song may have deeper implications. In the 1960s, Tallahassee was a key location for the civil rights movement, and the song came out during this time. Some have speculated that the mention of a "Tallahassee lassie" may be a thinly veiled reference to an African American woman, and that the song may have been a subtle nod to racial integration and unity through music and dance.
Overall, "Tallahassee Lassie" is a catchy and enjoyable rock 'n' roll tune that celebrates dancing, love, and the talent of a southern girl from the Sunshine State.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, she comes from Tallahassee (woo)
She hails from the city of Tallahassee in Florida.
She got a hi-fi chassis (woo)
She has a stylish body and is in good shape.
Maybe looks a little sassy (woo)
She appears to be a bit bold and confident.
But to me, she's real classy (woo)
However, in my opinion, she is sophisticated and elegant.
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
This is my girl from Tallahassee.
Down in F-L-A
She is from the state of Florida.
Well, she's romping to the Drag
She is enjoying herself as she dances to the Drag beat.
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
She is also grooving to the lively Cha-cha and Rag-a-mop rhythms.
Stomping to the Shag (woo)
She also jumps around to the Shag, a dance popular in the 50s and 60s.
Rocks the Bunny Hop
She is really good at doing the Bunny Hop dance.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Expresses excitement and enthusiasm for watching her dance.
Well, she dances to the Bop
She totally loves dancing to the Bop beat.
She dances to the Stroll
She also grooves to the sound of the popular 50s dance craze, the Stroll.
She dances to the Walk (woo)
She also dances to the catchy Walk beat.
She can rock and roll
She is an expert at dancing the Rock and Roll dance.
Come on, baby
An invitation to her dancing partner to keep dancing.
Come on, honey
An invitation to her sweetie to keep dancing.
Yeah, come on, sugar
An invitation to her darling to keep dancing.
Come on, baby
Another call to her dance partner to continue dancing.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Bob Crewe, Fredrick A. Picariello, Frank C. Slay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind