Tennessee Rock 'n' Roll
Bobby Helms Lyrics


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Oh I went down to Tennessee
Yes I went down to Tennessee
What did I see in Tennessee

I saw a place where dancers meet
I swear I saw the dancingest feet
You never heard a wilder beat
They were doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
They were doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
Upon my soul the Tennessee rock'n roll

The caller called let's promenade
The fiddling man looked gone as he played
The old square dance had been remade

They were doing the Tennessee rock'n roll...

[ Guitar ]
Then all at once before I knew
I joined in with the Hullaballoo
I dug the beat and did it too

I was doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
I was doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
Upon my soul the Tennessee rock'n roll

Come on let's all do the Tennessee rock'n roll




Come on let's all do the Tennessee rock'n roll
Upon my soul the Tennessee rock'n roll

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bobby Helms's song "Tennessee Rock N' Roll" tell the story of the singer's trip to Tennessee, where he discovers a place where people dance to the wild beat of rock and roll. He sees the dancers' feet moving in wild ways and he notes that the old square dance has been remade into something new and exciting. Despite his initial hesitation, he joins in with the "Hullaballoo" and starts doing the Tennessee rock and roll himself.


The song captures the spirit of a cultural shift in America in the mid-1950s, with rock and roll music becoming increasingly popular and influencing the way people dance and socialize. The references to square dancing being "remade" and the wildness of the beat suggest that rock and roll represented something new and exciting, in contrast to more traditional dances.


Overall, "Tennessee Rock N' Roll" is a celebration of this new culture and the joy of joining in with the music and dancing.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh I went down to Tennessee
I traveled to Tennessee


yes I went down to Tennessee
Yes, I traveled to Tennessee


What did I see in Tennessee
I saw something in Tennessee


I saw a place where dancers meet
I saw a place for social dancing


I swear I saw the dancingest feet
I saw the most skilled dancers


You never heard a wilder beat
The music was exceptionally upbeat


They were doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
The people were dancing the Tennessee rock 'n' roll


Upon my soul the Tennessee rock'n roll
I swear that the Tennessee rock 'n' roll was happening


The caller called let's promenade
The dance caller instructed the dancers to promenade


The fiddling man looked gone as he played
The fiddler looked lost in the music he played


The old square dance had been remade
The traditional square dance had been altered into a new dance


Then all at once before I knew
Suddenly and unexpectedly


I joined in with the Hullaballoo
I started participating in the lively activity


I dug the beat and did it too
I enjoyed the music and started to dance


I was doing the Tennessee rock'n roll
I was dancing the Tennessee rock 'n' roll


Come on let's all do the Tennessee rock'n roll
Let's all dance the Tennessee rock 'n' roll


Upon my soul the Tennessee rock'n roll
I swear that the Tennessee rock 'n' roll is amazing!




Writer(s): l. coleman

Contributed by Anthony H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

The Rockit Men

This ain't no country, this is rockabilly!

MULTIPLE TELEPHONE EXTENSION LEADS.

Top class Country Rock and Roll!

Frank Daluege

A famous song for ....Tennessee state !
i know this song at the start of 80's with Impérial rockabillies LP's

Rockabillyman68

GRADY MARTIN RULES!! Superb guitar again..

Billy Onions

Bloody Gorgeous !

Thierry Richard

que des souvenirs

Tom Mckenzie

Magic

hacked or not life is real RESPECT IT 2023

Let's mex tennesian listening 4 awhile 2021!

Sled ago

covered by Shakin' Pyramids

Bill Shaver

WAHT BECAME OF THEM, SAW THEM IN MONTREAL QUE... 1982...

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