After an unsuccessful first single, the group were signed to Laurie Records. Their breakthrough came when "I Wonder Why" made # 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the group appeared for the first time on the Dick Clark TV show. They followed it with the ballads "No One Knows" (#19) and "Don't Pity Me" (#40).
This success won Dion and the Belmonts their first major tour in late 1958, with The Coasters, Buddy Holly and Bobby Darin, and this was followed up by the "Winter Dance Party" tour with Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. On 2 February 1959, after playing at Clear Lake, Iowa, Dion decided that he could not afford the $36 cost of a flight to the next venue. The plane crashed, and Holly and the other stars were killed. However, the tour continued, with Jimmy Clanton and Bobby Vee being added to the bill.
In March 1959, Dion and the Belmonts’ next single, "A Teenager in Love", was released, making #5 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #28 in the UK Singles Chart, and this was followed by an album, Presenting Dion and the Belmonts. Their biggest hit, "Where or When", was released in November 1959, and reached #3 on the U.S. chart.
However, in early 1960, Dion checked in to hospital for heroin addiction, a problem he had had since his mid-teens. Further single releases for the group that year were less successful, there were musical and financial disputes between Dion and members of the Belmonts, and in October 1960 Dion decided to quit for a solo career. The Belmonts also continued to release records, but with less success.
Dion and the Belmonts reunited in 1966 for the unsuccessful album Together Again on ABC Records, and again in 1972 for a one-off show at Madison Square Garden, recorded and released as a live album.
Majestic
Dion & The Belmonts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This dance started down in NYC
Now they're doing it on TV
All the way to the Pacific shore
Man it's the greatest dance you ever saw
Let's go everybody and move your feet
Yeah my drummer's got a swinging beat
Everything is grooving people here's your chance
It's called the majestic majestic yeah majestic majestic yeah
Come on everybody take a tip from me
They even got the message down in Waikiki
Grab your partner and get on the ball
Every time you hear this call
Cause there is no more shimmy and no more bop
The kids in Philly stopped doing the slop
Everybody now looking just fine
It's the majestic majestic yeah majestic majestic yeah
All the way from Georgia to the Golden Gate
Kentucky Virginia and Dakota state
There even grooving in Chicago town
This dance is really getting around
Dance, dance people
Get up and do this dance
The song "Majestic" by Dion and The Belmonts is an upbeat and catchy tune that encourages listeners to dance to a popular new style. The lyrics describe this new dance phenomenon and its widespread popularity across different cities and states, including New York City, Waikiki, Philadelphia, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Chicago. The song highlights the uniqueness of this dance style and how it has replaced older dances such as the shimmy and the bop.
The lines "All the way to the Pacific shore, man it's the greatest dance you ever saw" emphasize the excitement and energy of the new dance craze. The song's repeated use of "majestic" emphasizes the name and importance of the dance. Dion and The Belmonts want everyone to get on the dance floor and groove to the swinging beat of the drummer.
The song is a celebration of the "majestic," a dance that has taken over the dance scene and is enjoyed by all. Its infectious rhythm and fun lyrics encourage listeners to let loose and have a good time on the dance floor.
Line by Line Meaning
Dooby-do yeah let's do this dance now
Let's start dancing now
This dance started down in NYC
The dance originated in New York City
Now they're doing it on TV
The dance is now being shown on television
All the way to the Pacific shore
The dance has spread to the West Coast
Man it's the greatest dance you ever saw
It's an amazing dance
Let's go everybody and move your feet
Everyone should join in and start dancing
Yeah my drummer's got a swinging beat
The drummer has a great rhythm
Everything is grooving people here's your chance
Everyone should take this opportunity to dance
It's time for you to do this dance
Now is the time for you to dance
It's called the majestic majestic yeah majestic majestic yeah
This dance is called the Majestic
Come on everybody take a tip from me
Everyone should follow my lead
They even got the message down in Waikiki
Even people in Waikiki know about this dance
Grab your partner and get on the ball
Find a partner and start dancing together
Every time you hear this call
Whenever you hear this song
Cause there is no more shimmy and no more bop
Other dances like the Shimmy and the Bop are no longer popular
The kids in Philly stopped doing the slop
Even kids in Philadelphia have moved on from the Slop
Everybody now looking just fine
Everyone looks great while dancing
It's the majestic majestic yeah majestic majestic yeah
It's still the Majestic dance
All the way from Georgia to the Golden Gate
The dance has spread from Georgia to California
Kentucky Virginia and Dakota state
Even more states like Kentucky, Virginia, and the Dakotas are doing the dance
There even grooving in Chicago town
The dance has even made its way to Chicago
This dance is really getting around
The Majestic dance is spreading widely
Dance, dance people
Everyone should keep dancing
Get up and do this dance
Everyone should stand up and start doing the Majestic dance
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DUNCAN ALEXANDER ROBERT PATERSON, KRISTIAN ANTHONY MARK WESTON, MARTIN GLOVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind