He was born in Spring Gulley, SC, USA, and raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended South Philadelphia High School with Frankie Avalon and Fabian. The wife of American Bandstand's host Dick Clark suggested the name "Chubby Checker" to Evans as a take-off on then-popular singer Fats Domino. In 1964, he married Catharina Lodders, a Dutch girl who had been Miss World in 1962.
His material during his 1960s heyday was recorded for Cameo-Parkway Records and along with the label's other material, became unavailable after the early 1970s because of the company's internal legal disputes. For decades, almost all compilations of Checker's hits consisted of re-recordings.
Rock around the Clock
Chubby Checker Lyrics
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Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock
Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock rock
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
Put your glad rags on, join me, Hon
We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
When the clock strikes two, three and four
If the band slows down we'll yell for more
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
When the chimes ring five, six, and seven
We'll be right in seventh heaven
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
we're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
When it's eight, nine, ten, eleven too
I'll be going' strong and so will you
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
we're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
When the clock strikes twelve, we'll cool off then
Start a rocking' 'round the clock again
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
Chubby Checker's song "Rock Around the Clock" is a classic rock and roll anthem that celebrates the joy and excitement of dancing the night away. The song's lyrics follow a simple format: listing off the hours of the day and encouraging listeners to rock out during each one. The repeated use of the phrase "we're gonna rock around the clock tonight" creates a sense of urgency and excitement that reflects the spirit of the era in which it was written.
The song begins with the iconic opening lines: "One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock rock / Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock / Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock rock / We're gonna rock around the clock tonight." These lyrics establish the song's primary theme of partying and dancing, while also emphasizing the sheer number of hours that the characters in the song plan to spend on the dance floor. Throughout the rest of the song, the lyrics continue to build on this theme, encouraging listeners to put on their "glad rags" and join in the revelry.
As the night goes on, the characters in the song become increasingly caught up in the excitement of the music. When the clock strikes two, three and four, they won't be satisfied until the band plays more. When the chimes ring five, six, and seven, they'll be in "seventh heaven," lost in the joy of the moment. Finally, when the clock strikes twelve, the characters will cool off for a moment before starting the whole thing over again.
Overall, "Rock Around the Clock" is a fun and energetic celebration of the power of rock and roll music to bring people together and create unforgettable moments. Its catchy lyrics and upbeat tempo continue to inspire new generations of dancers and music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock rock
We will start dancing and having fun from one o'clock and continue till four in the morning
Five, six, seven o'clock, eight o'clock rock
We will keep dancing and having fun till eight o'clock in the morning
Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock rock
We will keep dancing and having fun till noon the next day
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
We will have a lot of fun and dance throughout the night with rock music
Put your glad rags on, join me, Hon
Get dressed up and come join me
We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one
We will start having fun and enjoying ourselves at one in the morning
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
We will dance continuously until the sun comes up in the morning
Gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight
We will have a lot of fun and dance with rock and roll music throughout the night
When the clock strikes two, three and four
When the clock shows two, three or four in the morning
If the band slows down we'll yell for more
If the music slows down, we will request the band to play more music
When the chimes ring five, six, and seven
When the clock chimes at five, six or seven in the morning
We'll be right in seventh heaven
We will be ecstatic and very happy
When it's eight, nine, ten, eleven too
When the clock shows eight, nine, ten or eleven in the morning
I'll be going' strong and so will you
We will be energetic and still having fun
When the clock strikes twelve, we'll cool off then
When it's noon the next day, we will slow down and relax
Start a rocking' 'round the clock again
After relaxing, we will start dancing and having fun again
Lyrics © BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, ROBERT W. CINQUE, ESQ., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Max Freedman, James Myers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind