Born in Bloomington, Indiana into a musical family, he began performing as a duo with his brother before going on to a successful solo career in country music. In 1956, Helms made his way to Nashville, Tennessee where he signed a recording contract with Decca Records. The following year would be filled with astonishing successes. Helms' first single in 1957 titled "Fraulein" went to No. 1 on the country music charts and made it into the Top 40 on the pop music charts. Later that same year he released "My Special Angel" that also went to No. 1 on the country charts and entered the Top 10 on Billboard magazines pop music charts, peaking at No. 7.
Released just a few days before Christmas of 1957, his song "Jingle Bell Rock" was a big hit but uniquely, it re-emerged four out of the next five years and sold so well that it repeated each time as a top hit and became a Christmas classic still played to this day.
Bobby Helms continued touring and recording for the next three decades. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Helms spent most of his later years living just outside of Martinsville, Indiana, until the time of his death from emphysema and asthma in 1997.
Tennessee Rock 'n' Roll
Bobby Helms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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.
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
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Magic
hacked or not life is real RESPECT IT 2023
Let's mex tennesian listening 4 awhile 2021!
Sled ago
covered by Shakin' Pyramids
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WAHT BECAME OF THEM, SAW THEM IN MONTREAL QUE... 1982...