Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids although launched with "American Graffiti" really filled a void in popular music. Playing songs that they knew as kids, more important than the music and the songs was the show!
Flash Cadillac not only looked and sounded musically like a rock 'n' roll fifties band, they had a show that was mind-stopping. Playing at Washington State University twice in the early 1970's, Keith Sorem remembers seeing frontman Flash riding piggy back on bass player Butch's hips, while playing his Stratocaster, with someone holding the mic on a straight stand, following him around the stage. It was hilarious!
In 1972 Flash was the headliner at Pullstock, Washington State University's answer to Woodstock. Their show had been refined then; it was fast paced, and laced with off-color humor that only teens can understand. They did an excellent job stringing songs together in medlies, creating not only a smooth flow of music, but a never-ending string of one-liners and great sound bites. Like at the end of Splishin' and Splashin' mimicking a stuck record needle with: "Well, I was" (Thump), "Well, I was" (Thump),"Well, I was" (Whooooooooooo...as the needle is re-set on the record) "Splishin' and a splashin', rollin' and a strollin'.
And the keyboard that looked like the front of a '58 Chevy! These guys never stopped for three hours, inspiring many others to imitate their style, including the Lipps, a northwestern rock 'n' roll band that created their own Flash Cadillac with "Johnny Love" playing a guitar made from a toilet seat!
Flash Cadillac's appearance on the Dick Cavett Show in the early 1970's featured an introduction by Rob Reiner, fresh from "All In the Family" and no one knew that Rob was a closet fifties deejay. It was a great sample of fifties "radio-eze", followed by Flash and the Kids performing "I've Had It", later covered by the northwest rock band "PAX", and featured on their debut cassette, then the memorable "Blue Moon". According to Flash, "I was lookin' up at the stars last night and all I could see was Uranus (typical Flash humor!). They scored a hit in the U.S. singles chart with their cover version of the Lynsey de Paul/Barry Blue song "Dancin' (on a Saturday Night)" and it was this version that also made the Swedish top 10. ,
At the Hop
Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids 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
Bah-bah-bah 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 can 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
Bah-bah-bah let's go to the hop
Let's go!
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
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 can 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
Bah-bah-bah 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 by Flash Cadillac is a classic rock and roll song with a lively beat and catchy lyrics. The song is about going to a dance party or “hop” where friends can rock, roll, swing, groove, and enjoy good music. The lyrics encourage listeners to join in on the dance sensation that is “sweeping the nation” at the time. The song paints a picture of a fun and carefree atmosphere where everyone can let loose and have a good time.
The song also features a mix of dance styles, such as the cha-cha, the chicken, and the calypso dance, adding to the vibrant and varied nature of the party. The lyrics paint the picture of a place where all the “cats and chicks” can get their kicks, showing the inclusive nature of the party.
Overall, At The Hop is a fun and lively song that encourages listeners to let loose and let the good times roll, embodying the spirit of indulgence and fun that defined many rock and roll parties of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah
A simple, repetitive vocalization meant to convey excitement and anticipation.
Bah-bah-bah-bah, bah-bah-bah-bah, at the hop!
Expressing the excitement and anticipation about going to 'the hop.'
Well, you can rock it you can roll it
There are multiple ways to dance at the hop, including rock and roll.
You can stop and you can stroll it at the hop
Dancing at the hop includes multiple styles, one of which is stopping and strolling.
When the record starts spinnin',
When the DJ starts playing a record, and the music starts.
You chalypso when you chicken at the hop
At the hop, there is a variety of dance styles, including the cha-cha and the chicken, that can be danced to the music.
Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop
The Hop is a place where new dance crazes start and spread around the country.
Let's go to the hop
A repeated refrain, expressing the desire to attend and enjoy the hop.
Let's go to the hop, (oh baby)
An enthusiastic repetition of the chorus.
Well, you can swing it you can groove it
More dance styles are available, such as swinging and grooving.
You can really start to move it at the hop
The feeling of excitement and freedom that comes with dancing at the Hop.
Where the jockey is the smoothest
The DJ is skilled at playing records and knows what music makes people want to dance.
And the music is the coolest at the hop
The music being played at the Hop is the best and most exciting around.
All the cats and chicks can get their kicks at the hop
Everybody is welcome at the Hop, and everyone can have a good time.
Let's go!
Another expression of excitement and desire to attend the Hop.
Bah-bah-bah let's go to the hop
A repetition of the excitement and anticipation about going to the Hop.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Arthur Singer, Dave White, John Madara
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DevilDogDen1775
This was filmed in the gym at Petaluma High School in Petaluma, CA. I was one of the guys dancing.... We did about 20 takes.... We were completely worn out at the end, but we all had a blast....
@cheril8891
Dave Hanson: Cool story.
@alfonsomoreno3748
Then you must be between 60s and 70s...Good memories man...congratulations being on one of the best movies...
@whiskeyrun4996
For those who don't no SAM [ FLASH] and spike,] keyboards have passed away and are greatly missed by all, RIP BOYS,
@denedias9817
queria ter sido você nesse baile
@thea6903
im from sweden love that movie seen it 50 times at leest
@jedimike1020
My Grandpa was a teenager in the late 50s and early 60s. He says this is the most accurate depiction of teenage life during that time. Roadster racing, sock hops. It actually makes him cry
@TS-ev1bl
This movie was filmed only ten years after its setting (filmed in '72, set in '62), which to us back then seemed like such a long time but it really wasn't. Now it'd be like making a movie set in 2010. Big deal. I guess some things changed in those ten years but a lot of things didn't. Teens still cruised in the '70s just like in the movie, hung out at burger joints and along the "strip" trying to see and be seen, went to dances and roller skating rinks, etc. In the mid '70s the soundtrack from this movie was very popular for cruising (on 8 track), so even though I wasn't a teen until the '70s the songs from this movie remind me of my teen years. With no Internet and only one phone line in the house that we weren't allowed to "tie up", if we wanted to talk to our friends we had to physically go hang out with them, preferably where there was no adult supervision.
In fact, things didn't really change that much for teens until the early '00's with the Internet, social media, and cell phones.
@detroitrockcity3389
Makes me cry an im in my 30s
@robinrobyn1714
My Mom was a teenager in the 1950s.