Initially formed in 1955 as "The Juvenairs", their song, "Do the Bop," came to the attention of charismatic celebrity Dick Clark, who suggested that they rename it "At the Hop". The song was not initially a success. Yet, after being played on Clark's Bandstand, it was picked up by ABC-Paramount Records, and it then stayed at the top of the U.S. charts for seven weeks. It went on to sell over two million copies worldwide. The song was followed by the similar sounding "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay", which also made it into the Top 20 and has been later included in various collaboration albums just like "At the Hop".
In 1960, Danny and the Juniors were signed to Dick Clark's Swan Records label, and they released one more record, "Twistin' USA". It made it into the Top 40 and became their final hit single. They went on to release several more singles, but the group sadly were not able to repeat their earlier successes.
Dave White left the group in the early 60s to concentrate on writing and production. White was very successful in this venture, composing a number of hits, including "You Don't Own Me" for Leslie Gore (also famously covered in new wave style by Klaus Nomi) as well as "1-2-3" and "Like A Baby" for Len Barry. In the late 60s, the Juniors also appeared on Guyden Records, Mercury Records, and Capitol Records, where they re-recorded "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay" in 1968.
In 1976, "At the Hop" was re-issued, and it made its way into the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.
Danny Rapp was found dead in a hotel in Arizona on April 5, 1983, of an apparent suicide.
Members
Danny Rapp (born Daniel Earl Rapp, May 9, 1941, Philadelphia – died April 5, 1983) — lead vocalist
Joe Terry (born Joseph Terranova, January 30, 1941, Philadelphia – died April 15, 2019) — lead/baritone vocalist
Dave White (born Dave White Tricker, September 1, 1939, Philadelphia - died March 17, 2019, Las Vegas) — 1st tenor vocalist
Frank Maffei (born December 15, 1939, Philadelphia) — baritone/2nd tenor vocalist
Bobby Maffei — 1st tenor vocalist
Awards and recognition
Danny & the Juniors were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003, and the group was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame on November 22, 2013.
At the Hop
Danny & The Juniors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah, at the hop
Well, you can rock it you can roll it
You can stop and you can stroll it at the hop
When the record starts spinnin'
You chalypso when you chicken at the hop
Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop
Let's go to the hop
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop
Come on, let's go to the hop
Well, you can swing it you can groove it
You can really start to move it at the hop
Where the jockey is the smoothest
And the music is the coolest at the hop
All the cats and chicks gonna get their kicks at the hop
Let's go
Let's go to the hop
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop
Come on, let's go to the hop
Let's go
Well, you can rock it you can roll it
Do the stomp and even stroll it at the hop
When the record starts spinnin'
You chalypso when you chicken at the hop
Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop
You can swing it you can groove it
You can really start to move it at the hop
Where the jockey is the smoothest
And the music is the coolest at the hop
All the cats and chicks gonna get their kicks at the hop
Let's go
Let's go to the hop
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop (oh baby)
Let's go to the hop
Come on, let's go to the hop
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah, at the hop
"At the Hop" is a song by Danny & The Juniors that was written in 1957. The song's lyrics are about teenagers wanting to go to the hop and dance to the latest music. They sing about different dance moves and encourage everyone to come along and dance. The chorus of the song repeats "Let's go to the hop" multiple times, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation for the dance.
The lyrics also highlight the popularity of certain dance moves at the time, such as the cha-cha, the chicken, and the stomp. These were all popular dances that teenagers would do at dances like "the hop." The song also celebrates the smoothness of the DJ or "jockey" who would play the cool and trendy music at these events.
Overall, the song captures the excitement and energy of teenage culture in the 1950s. It's an upbeat song that encourages people to get up and dance, and celebrates the joy of being young and carefree.
Line by Line Meaning
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah
Nonsensical syllables used for rhythm and style in the song
at the hop
Referring to a popular dance party or gathering
Well, you can rock it you can roll it
The dancers have the freedom to express themselves and move however they want
You can stop and you can stroll it at the hop
Dancers can switch up their moves and also take a break from the faster-paced dancing
When the record starts spinnin'
The music is playing and the party is getting started
You chalypso when you chicken at the hop
Instructions for dance moves: combining the cha-cha and calypso or chicken dance
Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop
Join in on the popular dance trend that everyone is doing at these gatherings
Let's go to the hop
Encouraging others to attend the dance party
Come on, let's go to the hop
Further encouragement to join in on the fun
Well, you can swing it you can groove it
More freedom for dancers to move and express themselves
Where the jockey is the smoothest
The DJ is playing the best music and creating a great atmosphere for the party
And the music is the coolest at the hop
The music being played is trendy and enjoyable for all
All the cats and chicks gonna get their kicks at the hop
Everyone attending the party is going to have a great time and enjoy themselves
Do the stomp and even stroll it at the hop
More dance move instructions for attendees
Let's go
Expressing excitement and readiness to attend the party
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah
Reiterating the nonsensical syllables used for rhythm and style in the song
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Arthur Singer, Dave White, John Madara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markmmv
In the 1950s, a sub-genre of rock 'n' roll — rockabilly, was also popular. You can listen to these RAW rockabilly songs:
"Switchblade", Ron Thompson (1959)
"Rock On The Moon", Jimmy Stewart (1959)
"Please Give Me Something", Bill Allen (1958)
"Love Me", The Phantom (1958)
"Right Behind You Baby", Ray Smith (1958)
"Messed Up", Bill Swing (1958)
"Hocus Pocus", The Raiders (1958)
"Bertha Lou", Johnny Faire (1957)
"Baby She's Gone", Jack Scott (1957)
"Sputnik", Jerry Engler (1957)
"Hot Shot", Ronnie Pearson (1957)
"The Train Kept A-Rollin'", Johnny Burnette (1956)
"Sixteen Chicks", Joe Clay (1956)
"Round and Round", Andy Starr (1956)
"Come On Little Mama", Ray Harris (1956)
"Hot Rock", Johnny Carroll (1956)
"Big Sandy", Bobby Roberts (1956)
"Let's Bop", Jack Earls (1956)
"I Can't Hardly Stand It", Charlie Feathers (1956)
"Who Slapped John?", Gene Vincent (1956)
"Gone, Gone, Gone", Carl Perkins (1955)
"Love Me", Jimmy Lee & Wayne Walker (1955)
@Robert-rr7kw
Born , in
" The Winter of LOVE "
... as a drummer weened on Led-ZePPelin and now apart of the Denver Family of Blues Musicians,here along the Front Range mountains here in Colorado, ...you can also the living heck out of a sing like this in the snare !!
My parents dance music
- a drummer
@wrenspence1936
I'm 72 now. I grew up with this music and I still love and appreciate it!
@mikekirschnick4440
Much love to you from Germany 💖
@Sillylittlegirl2024
I'm 12 and I wish things were like the 50's again
@kristynhoffner3076
I’m 28 and can’t get enough. Songs from my grandparents days just hit different
@wrenspence1936
@@kristynhoffner3076 I'm 75, your 28! It's amazing how 50's music can bring us together, isn't it!!!
@candlelight3232
@@wrenspence1936 Your comment is wonderful.....It shows, that 'young' and 'old' can have a connecting basis.....by the way, I'm 69 and I like these music very much.....
@rebekah4405
Loving it and I'm only 44, this is my happy music🎉 🎵🎵🎵
@elikerwood5263
I might have not been born in the 50s but I would die to relive the 50s
@billwhitman5705
This was the first record I bought, happy days I’m almost 80 still enjoying life.
@williamhenry9609
William Henry
My dear friend Martin Clarkr passed recently. He loved this song. Rest in heaven be at peace. You are singing with the Angels