Rydell's performance in Bye Bye Birdie, and his recordings "Wild One" and "Volare", made him a famous show business performer of the '60s. Rydell used his talents as an impersonator and drummer mostly in pursuing a musical career rather than an acting career.
Born in Philadelphia, it was his father who encouraged him to pursue a career in show business. At the age of four, Rydell would sit in front of the TV and impersonate such performers as Milton Berle, Louis Prima and Johnny Ray. He also admired drummer Gene Krupa and began playing the drums at the age of six. At the age of seven and with his father's encouragement, Rydell began performing in nightclubs in Philadelphia.
In 1950, Rydell entered the amateur show of Paul Whiteman; his first-place win gained him a regular part on the show. He stayed with the Whiteman show for three years and then went to join several local bands in Philadelphia. It was here too that Bobby Ridarelli became the easier-to-pronounce Bobby Rydell. At 16 he began playing with local groups, landing a spot as a drummer for Rocco and the Saints. (Frankie Avalon, another Philadelphia-born musician, played trumpet for the group.) While with the band, Rydell signed a recording contract with Cameo/Parkway Records in Philadelphia. His hit "Kissin' Time," recorded in the summer of 1959, launched his musical career and made him a teen idol at the age of 17.
After making his first hit recording, he pursued a solo career, performing at the Copacabana in New York in 1961, where he was an instant hit. Rydell made his acting debut in 1962 on the television show Combat! One year later, he starred as Hugh Peabody in the famous musical Bye Bye Birdie. It was only after his acting debut that he fervently began playing the nightclub circuit.
With records like We Got Love, Wildwood Days and Sway, Rydell made himself a hit. Along with Frankie Avalon and Fabian, Bobby Rydell is known as a Philadelphia-born teen idol, known not only for his musical genius but also his handsome looks.
Swingin' School
Bobby Rydell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kicks (ah)
Cats (ah)
Cool (ah)
Ah, school
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I go a swingin' school
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
And the cats are cool
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Well we dance the greatest
And we dress the latest
Whoa-whoa-whoa
I go a swingin' school
(Ah, Bobby, ah)
(Everythings cool), that's cool
(We're glad you go to a swingin' school)
My little chick is my heart's desire
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Well the way we kiss
It puts the school on fire
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Ah, chicks (ah)
Kicks (ah)
Cats (ah)
Cool (ah)
Yeah, school (aaah, ah, ah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, well
(Whoa-oh, whoa-oh)
[Instrumental Interlude]
(Whoa-oh, whoa-oh)
(Ah
(Ah)
After school we have to rendezvous
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Gonna plan all the things
That we're gonna do
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Trade bookin' for cookin'
And I'll quit my lookin'
When our days at the school are through
(Ah, Bobby, ah)
(Everythings cool, that's cool)
(We're glad you go to a swingin' school)
We live and love by the golden rule
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
We're gonna settle down
At a swingin' school
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Well have a house and car
A swimmin' pool
Whoa-whoa-whoa
I go a swingin' school
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
I said, a whoa-whoa-whoa
I go a swingin' school
The lyrics of Bobby Rydell's "Swingin' School" are a celebration of teenage life during the 1950s and early 60s, where popular culture was being shaped by rock 'n' roll music and the rebellious spirit of youth. The chorus of the song repeats the line "I go to a swingin' school," conveying the excitement and sense of belonging that comes from being part of a vibrant teenage social scene. The opening lines "Chicks (ah) / Kicks (ah) / Cats (ah) / Cool (ah) / Ah, school" establish a playful tone, using slang terms to describe the fun-loving and carefree nature of the "swingin’" lifestyle.
The second verse and chorus emphasize the physical and romantic aspects of teenage life, with lines like "my little chick is my heart's desire" and "the way we kiss puts the school on fire." Here, Rydell celebrates the thrills of young love and the passion that comes along with it, further emphasizing the carefree nature of teenage life. The final verse and chorus express the hope for a future where the characters in the song can continue to enjoy the same lifestyle but with a degree of stability, hoping to "settle down at a swingin' school" and enjoy a house, car, and swimming pool.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicks (ah)
Girls
Kicks (ah)
Fun
Cats (ah)
Guys
Cool (ah)
Fashionable
Ah, school
School
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yes
I go a swingin' school
I attend a school that's fun and fashionable
(La, la-la-la, la, la, la)
Singing a tune
Where the chicks are kicks
Where the girls are fun
And the cats are cool
And the guys are fashionable
Well we dance the greatest
We're great dancers
And we dress the latest
And we wear the latest fashion
Whoa-whoa-whoa
Wow
(Ah, Bobby, ah)
Addressing the singer
(Everythings cool), that's cool
Everything's fine
(We're glad you go to a swingin' school)
We're happy that you attend a fun and fashionable school
My little chick is my heart's desire
My girlfriend is the one I love
Well the way we kiss
Our kissing is passionate
It puts the school on fire
It makes the school exciting
Yeah, school (aaah, ah, ah)
School (exciting)
(Whoa-oh, whoa-oh)
Wow
[Instrumental Interlude]
Playing music without lyrics
(Whoa-oh, whoa-oh)
Wow
(Ah
Addressing someone
(Ah)
Addressing someone
After school we have to rendezvous
After school we have to meet
Gonna plan all the things
We're going to plan everything
That we're gonna do
That we're going to do
Trade bookin' for cookin'
Going to stop studying and start cooking
And I'll quit my lookin'
I'll stop looking around
When our days at the school are through
When we're done with school
(Ah, Bobby, ah)
Addressing the singer
(Everythings cool, that's cool)
Everything's fine
(We're glad you go to a swingin' school)
We're happy that you attend a fun and fashionable school
We live and love by the golden rule
We treat others the way we want to be treated
We're gonna settle down
We're going to calm down
At a swingin' school
At a fun and fashionable school
Well have a house and car
We'll have a home and a car
A swimmin' pool
A swimming pool
I said, a whoa-whoa-whoa
Wow
I go a swingin' school
I attend a school that's fun and fashionable
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVE APPELL, BERNIE LOWE, KAL MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@judyheath8659
Bobby Rydell had a smile that 😄could light up a room.
@karensparks2509
Loved you as a teen! Bandstand was my favorite show. With you on it! RIP a Legend!
@jackspry9736
RIP Bobby Rydell (April 26, 1942 – April 5, 2022), age 79
You will be remembered as a legend.
@KevsGuide
amen RIP
@JM-tu8ry
I do not know that he died😯
@THX-kw2jh
RIP The Great Bobby Rydell, I was born in 1962 so I was a lot into the Late 70´s and 80´s Music, But during 1986-1987 a developed a taste for Oldies from the Late 50´s & 60´s, and of course I discovered this great Artist & Song. Bobby Has Left Us Now, BUT, He also Left an Incredibly Legacy of Good Music. We will ALL Join Him Sooner or Later. See You Later Bobby. Keep Rocking Up There.
@justme6767
My friend for 38 years Heaven has a New Angel 😢❤️🙏
@QQQQJIM
Bobby had the hair, the looks, the voice, and all the moves!
@patriciaferguson946
Thank you for the great music and memories. RIP. Bobby Rydell.
@kallel6588
REAL music and talent. How nice