Danny & The Juniors were a Philadelphia based quartet comprising of Danny R… Read Full Bio ↴Danny & The Juniors were a Philadelphia based quartet comprising of Danny Rapp, Dave White, Frank Maffei and Joe Terry. They are most widely recognized for their hit single "At the Hop", which was released in 1957 and is one of the best doo wop songs in history. Picking up a cheerful, good-time reputation with their tune, they are sometimes erroneously stated as being an Italian-American band; however, Danny Rapp was of Irish extraction.

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.

a thief
Danny & The Juniors Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't even tell you if some of it is real or not
Because It happens so often and how it happens
And so forth. What are your thoughts on. I mean there are
Some folks they turn on the news and they just believe
Everything they see here and read
Well here is the thing
Propaganda is a 500 million
Dollar business in this country

Woke up early morning I gotta put My groove on
Stress put Ma suit on, then I turn news on
Another black kid gone, they say he had a hoodie on
Speaking like he Mysonne and preaching like Farrakhan
So they put cuffs on, now he a bygone
Lil homie in the system then he start to show fawn
When you talk to the cops be careful not yap wrong
Cos glock 22 go before you say more
Everyday for the thief one day for the master
People working hard just to serve they fucking masters
Life is a hustle disasters and pastors
Rolling like we Rastas the green never cost us
Laugh last laugh first stick u like a plaster
Awake in the am working for the gangstas
Life is a struggle with crisis and taxes
Rolling like we mobsters
Uncle Sam training monsters
And there is a relationship between
Propaganda and war
Because propaganda is psychological
In informational warfare, if you can
Subdue your enemy
You the melanin God don’t there’s no in between
Black Teens misled they selling false dreams
Rappers talking codeine and sipping down the lean
The culture lacking influence mafia regimes
I’m speaking the youth it’s not as hard It seems
Drapetomia just what they believe
Tricked into hatred the screens is obscene
Trust in yourself and live out your dreams
Everyday for the thief one day for the master
People working hard just to serve they fucking masters
Life is a hustle disasters and pastors
Rolling like we Rastas the green never cost us
Laugh last laugh first stick u like a plaster
Awake in the am working for the gangstas
Life is a struggle with crisis and taxes
Rolling like we mobsters
Uncle Sam training monsters
Everyday for the thief one day for the master
People working hard just to serve they fucking masters
Life is a hustle disasters and pastors
Rolling like we Rastas the green never cost us
Laugh last laugh first stick u like a plaster
Awake in the am working for the gangstas
Life is a struggle with crisis and taxes

Rolling like we mobsters
Uncle Sam training monsters

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "A Thief" by Danny & the Juniors touch upon themes of media manipulation, societal injustice, and the struggles of everyday life. The song seems to explore the idea that there is a system in place that often deceives and exploits people for its own benefit.

The first paragraph suggests that the truth is often blurred, and it is challenging to distinguish what is real or fabricated due to the frequent occurrence of manipulative events and misinformation. There is a critique of individuals who blindly believe everything they see, hear, or read in the news, highlighting the influence of propaganda in society.

The second paragraph focuses on the plight of black individuals who face prejudice and discrimination. The lyrics express the frustration caused by the unjust treatment of a young black person who is portrayed negatively solely because of his appearance. There is a reference to caution when communicating with the police, as one's words could potentially lead to harmful consequences. The mention of a gun reinforces the potential danger faced by individuals in such situations.

The following lines delve into the idea that life can feel like an ongoing struggle against oppressive forces. The chorus emphasizes how hardworking individuals often find themselves serving those in power, with little respite. Disasters and religious figures, such as pastors, are mentioned, further highlighting the complexities and challenges of navigating life. The reference to "rolling like we Rastas" and "Mobsters" may imply that individuals try to find their own way in a society that often feels like organized crime, where the pursuit of personal gain is prioritized.

The final paragraph continues the critique of propaganda and its influence on youth. The lyrics condemn the cultural figures, specifically rappers, who promote harmful substances like codeine and glorify criminal activities. The mention of mafia regimes suggests a sense of powerlessness against influential institutions that perpetuate harmful narratives. The song encourages the youth to trust in themselves, pursue their dreams, and not fall prey to the hatred and manipulations of the media.

In summary, "A Thief" discusses the prevalence of propaganda, media manipulation, systemic injustice, and the struggles faced by individuals in society. It encourages individuals to question their surroundings, think critically, and trust in themselves to overcome the challenges presented by the system.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't even tell you if some of it is real or not
The overwhelming amount of information makes it difficult to distinguish truth from fiction.

Because It happens so often and how it happens
Misinformation is prevalent and it is alarming how frequently it occurs.

And so forth. What are your thoughts on. I mean there are
The extent of misinformation is vast, and it is important to reflect on its impact.

Some folks they turn on the news and they just believe
Some people unquestioningly trust the news they consume.

Everything they see here and read
They accept everything they witness, hear, and read as absolute truth.

Well here is the thing
However, it is crucial to consider this perspective.

Propaganda is a 500 million
Propaganda is a thriving industry worth millions of dollars.

Dollar business in this country
It is a lucrative business within this nation.

Woke up early morning I gotta put My groove on
Starting the day with determination and enthusiasm.

Stress put Ma suit on, then I turn news on
Feeling pressured, I dress up and switch on the news.

Another black kid gone, they say he had a hoodie on
Yet another incident involving the loss of a black youth who was wearing a hoodie.

Speaking like he Mysonne and preaching like Farrakhan
Expressing himself with the passion and conviction of Mysonne and Farrakhan.

So they put cuffs on, now he a bygone
As a result, he is apprehended and lost within the system.

Lil homie in the system then he start to show fawn
Once entangled in the system, the young individual starts to display vulnerability.

When you talk to the cops be careful not to yap wrong
Cautioning against saying anything incriminating when interacting with law enforcement.

Cos glock 22 go before you say more
Because a Glock 22 firearm may be employed before one can vocalize further.

Everyday for the thief one day for the master
The thief's actions will catch up with them eventually, facing the consequences brought upon by their misconduct.

People working hard just to serve their fucking masters
Ordinary individuals toil diligently, only to serve those in power who exploit and control them.

Life is a hustle disasters and pastors
Life is a constant struggle, filled with calamity and individuals who claim to guide but often deceive.

Rolling like we Rastas the green never cost us
Living freely like Rastafarians, unaffected by the monetary value of nature's blessings.

Laugh last laugh first stick u like a plaster
Those who find amusement in others' misfortune may ultimately face retribution, akin to a sticking plaster.

Awake in the am working for the gangstas
Waking early in the morning, engaging in work that benefits those involved in criminal activities.

Life is a struggle with crisis and taxes
Life is filled with difficulties, both in personal hardships and the burden of taxes.

Rolling like we mobsters
Living with confidence and unity, reminiscent of mobsters.

Uncle Sam training monsters
The government, symbolized by Uncle Sam, influences the creation of ruthless individuals.

And there is a relationship between
There exists a connection linking

Propaganda and war
The utilization of misinformation in the context of conflict and warfare.

Because propaganda is psychological
Propaganda operates on a psychological level.

In informational warfare, if you can
Within the realm of informational warfare, when one is capable of

Subdue your enemy
Suppressing and gaining control over the opposition

You the melanin God don't there’s no in between
As a person of color, one is either divinely empowered or marginalized, with no middle ground.

Black Teens misled they selling false dreams
Black teenagers are led astray, lured into pursuing empty promises.

Rappers talking codeine and sipping down the lean
Musicians glorify the consumption of codeine and cough syrup with a high codeine content.

The culture lacking influence mafia regimes
The culture's impact and significance have diminished, while mafia-like regimes hold sway.

I’m speaking the youth it’s not as hard It seems
Addressing the younger generation, affirming that overcoming challenges is within their reach despite appearances.

Drapetomia just what they believe
Drapetomia, a term historically used to pathologize enslaved individuals' desire to escape, represents what they are taught to accept.

Tricked into hatred the screens is obscene
Deceived into harboring animosity, the media's portrayal is morally offensive.

Trust in yourself and live out your dreams
Emphasizing the importance of self-confidence and pursuing one's aspirations.