Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
Tonight
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He says you got a corny trill
Bob White! Whatcha gonna swing tonight?
I was talkin to the mocking bird
He says you are the worst he's heard,
Bob White! Whatcha gonna swing tonight?
Even the owl-tells me you're foul
Don't be a bring down
If you can swing down
Gimme those high notes
There's a lotta talk about you, Bob
and they're sayin you're "off the cob"
Fake it, Mister B
Take it, follow me, Bob white
We're gonna break it up tonight
The song "Tonight" by Bobby Darin is a lively, upbeat swing tune that is all about encouraging Bob White, the song's protagonist, to let loose and swing hard. The lyrics are playful and whimsical, with the singer conversing with various birds to gather opinions on Bob White's singing style, and trying to urge him to improve. The lyrics are full of wordplay and puns, with the whippoorwill commenting on Bob's "corny trill" and the mocking bird suggesting that he's "the worst he's heard." The owl tells him that he's "foul" for singing those lullaby notes, and urges him to swing like the other birds.
The chorus of the song is a repeated plea to Bob to "swing tonight," with the singer urging him to take risks and break out of his shell. The lyrics suggest that there has been talk among the birds about Bob's singing, with some calling him "off the cob," but the singer is undeterred and encourages him to "fake it" if he has to, but to ultimately "break it up tonight." The overall message of the song is one of encouragement, urging the listener to take risks, swing hard, and enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I was talkin to the whippoorwill
I had a conversation with a bird known as the whippoorwill
He says you got a corny trill
The bird mentioned that you have a mundane singing voice
Bob White! Whatcha gonna swing tonight?
Oh Bob White! What kind of music do you plan on singing tonight?
I was talkin to the mocking bird
I had another conversation with a bird known as the mocking bird
He says you are the worst he's heard,
The bird claimed that your singing is terrible
Bob White! Whatcha gonna swing tonight?
Oh Bob White! What kind of music do you plan on singing tonight?
Even the owl-tells me you're foul
Even the wise old owl mentioned that your singing is unpleasant
Singin those lullaby notes,
You sing in a monotonous and uninteresting way
Don't be a bring down
Don't spoil the fun
If you can swing down
But if you can sing in a lively and spirited way
Gimme those high notes
Then please sing in a higher pitch and more upbeat manner
There's a lotta talk about you, Bob
A lot of people are discussing you, Bob
and they're sayin you're "off the cob"
They are saying that you aren't very talented
Fake it, Mister B
Pretend to be a great singer, Mister B
Take it, follow me, Bob white
Believe in your ability and follow me, Bob White
We're gonna break it up tonight
We're going to have an exciting and lively performance tonight
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BERNARD D. HANIGHEN, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Bryant
Pete Christlieb is one of the few sax players who does rock 'n' roll and bebop equally well. What a player!
Janie Runaway
ICON! Sad to know Bobby died just 10 months later. Vastly talented performer, never forgotten and sorely missed.
Jason Nadle
Who was Bobby's drummer for his final couple of years of his life?