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.
Pony Express
Danny & The Juniors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Caught a ride on the Pony Express
Sweep the sawdust off of the floor
Spin your spurs 'til they fly outdoors
Saddle up, buttercup
For the Pony Express
Yes, the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old Paint
We ain't missing the Pony Express
See the pretty little ponytails
When they're swishing every male wails, wails
Six chicks that look so fine
With a pony in a chorus line
So cute, lost my boots
On the Pony Express
Yes, the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain't missing the Pony Express
Philadelphia to Boston, Mass
Salt Lake City to old El Pas
Pasadena to Portland, Maine
Albuquerque and back again
Pony Express will rock on through
I'll be there, will you be too?
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain't missing the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain't missing the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
The lyrics of Danny & The Juniors' "Pony Express" are a playful homage to the famous mail delivery service that operated in the American West from 1860 to 1861. The song encourages listeners to join the fun of the Pony Express by donning their best cowboy gear and playing along. The first verse describes the process of getting ready for the ride, complete with spinning spurs and sweeping sawdust. The chorus repeats the refrain "giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver," a reference to the popular TV show The Lone Ranger, which featured a hero named Silver who rode a white horse.
In the second verse, the song turns its attention to the female performers who accompany the Pony Express riders on their journeys. The "six chicks that look so fine" are described as having "pretty little ponytails" that cause every male to "wail." The chorus repeats, and the third verse lists off various destinations that the Pony Express might visit, from Philadelphia to Boston to Salt Lake City. The song ends with an invitation to join in the ride, accompanied by more joyful calls of "giddy up."
Overall, "Pony Express" is a playful tribute to the American West and its legends, incorporating references to cowboy gear, popular TV shows, and historical events into its lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Pack up your bags, put on your dress
Get ready to go on a journey.
Caught a ride on the Pony Express
Boarded a fast and efficient mail delivery service that operates across various locations in the United States.
Sweep the sawdust off of the floor
Clean up the place where you are leaving from.
Spin your spurs 'til they fly outdoors
Make sure you are prepared for the journey ahead.
Saddle up, buttercup
Get ready to ride the Pony Express.
For the Pony Express
This journey is specifically related to riding the Pony Express.
Yes, the Pony Express
The Pony Express is a symbol for something exciting and adventurous.
Giddy up, giddy up
Encouraging the horse to start riding faster.
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Another encouragement for the horse, using the horse Silver from the Lone Ranger as a reference.
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Slow down the horse's pace.
Tonto, Silver and my old Paint
The horse's name is referred to as 'my old Paint', while Tonto and Silver are mentioned as other significant horses in pop culture.
We ain't missing the Pony Express
We won't miss this opportunity to ride the Pony Express.
See the pretty little ponytails
Admiring the appearance of the female riders.
When they're swishing every male wails, wails
The movement of the female riders' ponytails is appealing to male riders.
Six chicks that look so fine
There are six female riders who look very attractive.
With a pony in a chorus line
The ponies and the riders are performing like a chorus line.
So cute, lost my boots
The attractiveness of the female riders is making the male rider lose his focus and possibly making mistakes.
Philadelphia to Boston, Mass
The Pony Express travels from Philadelphia to Boston.
Salt Lake City to old El Pas
The Pony Express also travels from Salt Lake City to old El Paso.
Pasadena to Portland, Maine
The Pony Express travels from Pasadena to Portland, Maine.
Albuquerque and back again
The Pony Express also travels to Albuquerque and returns back.
Pony Express will rock on through
The Pony Express will continue to provide efficient mail delivery service.
I'll be there, will you be too?
The singer will be riding the Pony Express, asking if anyone else will be joining.
Giddy up, giddy up
Encouraging the horse to start riding faster.
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
Referring to the horses that are related to pop culture.
Contributed by Kayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulankasub4028
Pack up your bags, put on your dress
Caught a ride on the Pony Express
Sweep the sawdust off of the floor
Spin your spurs 'til they fly outdoors
Saddle up, buttercup
For the Pony Express
Yes, the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old Paint
We ain’t missing the Pony Express
See the pretty little ponytails
When they’re swishing every male wails, wails
Six chicks that look so fine
With a pony in a chorus line
So cute, lost my boots
On the Pony Express
Yes, the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Whoa, oh, oh, oh
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain’t missing the Pony Express
Philadelphia to Boston, Mass
Salt Lake City to old El Pas
Pasadena to Portland, Maine
Albuquerque and back again
Pony Express will rock on through
I’ll be there, will you be too?
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy hi ho Silver
Oh, oh, oh
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain’t missing the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Tonto, Silver and my old paint
We ain’t missing the Pony Express
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
Giddy up, giddy up
Giddy up, giddy
@bigdancd
ABSOLUTELY loved this song back in the day. Dunno how great it did as far as sales, but every song can't be a hit!
@richardfisher671
I loved dancing to this song 60 years ago. I did a mean Pony.
@johnthrussell1377
Great recordgreat group
@bigdancd
BTW... A HUGE thanks for posting this on YouTube! 🤩😄
@romulushill9952
DANNY AND THE JUNIORS WERE GREAT PEOPLE LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL
@rickfisher1661
LOVE THIS SONG.
@TheZeevik
awesome rock n roll
@rickfisher1661
Love this song.
@hdpygon
This is just great!
@highfuturamic
Thanks for info