Born Robert James Byrd in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of fifteen. As a member of the R&B group, the Hollywood Flames, he used the stage name Bobby Day to perform and record. He went several years with minor musical success limited to the West Coast, including being the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl. In 1957, Day formed his own band called the "Satellites" following which he authored three songs that are seen today as rock and roll classics.
Bobby Day's best known songwriting efforts were "Over and Over" made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965 and "Little Bitty Pretty One" popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Clyde McPhatter in 1962 and the Jackson Five in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit, "Rockin' Robin", a song covered by Michael Jackson in 1972.
Sometimes referred to as a one-hit wonder, despite numerous recordings with a variety of record companies, after "Rockin' Robin", Bobby Day never achieved a Top 40 hit again.
Bobby Day died of cancer in 1990 and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Rock-in Robin
Bobby Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tweedily deedily dee, Tweedily deedily dee,
Tweedily deedily dee, Tweedily deedily dee,
Tweedily deedily dee, Tweedily deedily dee,
Tweet, tweet, tweet tweet
He rocks in the treetops all day long,
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' his song.
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.
[Chorus]
Rockin' robin (tweet, tweet, tweet);
Rock, rock, rockin' robin (tweet, tweedle-dee);
Go rockin' robin, we're really gonna rock tonight.
Every little swallow, every chickadee,
Every little bird in the tall oak tree,
The wise old owl, the big black crow,
Flappin' their wings singin' go bird, go.
[Chorus]
The pretty little raven at the bird man stand
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand,
He started goin' steady and "bless my soul,"
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole.
[Chorus]
He rocks in the treetops all day long,
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' his song.
All the little birds on J-Bird Street,
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.
[Chorus]
He rocks in the treetops all day long,
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' his song.
All the little birds on J-Bird Street,
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.
[Chorus]
Go rockin' robin, we're really gonna rock tonight
The song "Rock-in Robin" by Bobby Day depicts a robin bird singing and dancing in the treetops while other birds watch and follow along. The opening lines "tweedily deedily dee" create an upbeat, happy tone that continues for the rest of the song. The robin is described as "rockin'" in the treetops, hopping and bopping, and singing its song. The other birds on J-Bird street love to hear the robin's tweet, tweet, tweet.
The chorus repeats the words "rockin' robin" and adds a call and response element with the lyrics "tweet, tweet, tweet" and "tweet, tweedle-dee." The robin is encouraged to keep rocking and assured that they will "really gonna rock tonight." The song also mentions a few other birds such as "every little swallow" and "the big black crow" who join in on the fun.
Overall, "Rock-in Robin" is a fun, lighthearted song that celebrates music, dancing, and the joy of being alive. The robin's infectious energy and catchy tune have made it a classic and beloved hit for decades to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Tweedily deedily dee, Tweedily deedily dee,
The robin is making a happy, lively sound as he goes about his day.
Tweet, tweet, tweet tweet
The robin is singing his song, which other birds love to hear.
He rocks in the treetops all day long,
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and a-singin' his song.
All the little birds on J-Bird Street,
Love to hear the robin go tweet, tweet, tweet.
The robin spends his days in the trees, singing and dancing. The other birds in the neighborhood enjoy listening to him.
Rockin' robin (tweet, tweet, tweet);
Rock, rock, rockin' robin (tweet, tweedle-dee);
Go rockin' robin, we're really gonna rock tonight.
Another bird is encouraging the robin to keep singing and promises that they will have a great time together later on.
Every little swallow, every chickadee,
Every little bird in the tall oak tree,
The wise old owl, the big black crow,
Flappin' their wings singin' go bird, go.
All the birds in the neighborhood, including the smart owl and the big crow, are rooting for the robin and encouraging him to keep singing and dancing.
The pretty little raven at the bird man stand
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand,
He started goin' steady and "bless my soul,"
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole.
A raven taught the robin a new dance move, which made him very happy. He became really good at it, surprising even the buzzard and the oriole.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: DAN SOVAK, JIMMIE THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alanomar4339
He rocks in the treetops all day long
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet-tweet-tweet
Rockin' robin, (tweet-tweet-tweet)
Rock-rock-rockin' robin' (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Go rockin' robin 'cause we're really gonna rock tonight (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee
Every little bird in the tall oak tree
The wise old owl, the big black crow
Flappin' their wings signin' "go bird, go"
Rockin' robin, (tweet-tweet-tweet)
Rock-rock-rockin' robin' (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Go rockin' robin 'cause we're really gonna rock tonight (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
A wordy little raven at the bird's first dance
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand
They started going steady and bless my soul
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole
He rocks in the treetops all day long
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet-tweet-tweet
Rockin' robin, (tweet-tweet-tweet)
Rock-rock-rockin' robin' (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Go rockin' robin 'cause we're really gonna rock tonight (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Well, the pretty little raven at the bird bandstand
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand
They started going steady and bless my soul
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole
He rocks in the treetops all day long
Hoppin' and a-boppin' and singing his song
All the little birds on Jaybird Street
Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet
Rockin' robin, (tweet-tweet-tweet)
Rock-rock-rockin' robin' (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
Go rockin' robin 'cause we're really gonna rock tonight (tweet-tweedilly-tweet)
@davidnelson7972
Unfortunately for my neighbors - I still sing this song 65 years later
@davidnelson7972
@John Meegan well that;s awful nice thank you, but I also play blasting rock guitar, with thoughts of Hendrix, but play like Neil Young bahhhhd.
@tiffanypagillo2409
That’s beautiful
@SunnyMusicalProductions
I say……. Lucky neighbors!
@nicolelatorre7639
😂😂😂
@MrBb51290
I'd be rockin with ya outside
@NONO-rz4tg
Im currently 10, almost 11. I remember being about 5 or 6 and me and my grandma would wake up everyday at 9 or 10am to go sit out in the porch and sing. We'd always sing this song. Even everyday at 6am when i woke up to go to school we'd sing this waiting for the bus. Great memories.
@marrybunny3929
That’s sooo cute 🥺🥰
@kaceyolsen8350
I'm 49 and just love older generations of awesome music. There's just nothing so upbeat like this anymore!
@jeannetrangata
Thanks to my beautiful Mommy, who was born in 1941 and grew up in the heart of this ear, I know all of the songs and dances from her youth. This is a great song. :)