Picariello grew up in the North Boston suburb of Lynn and learned to play guitar as a boy. In high school, he formed a band and tried to emulate the hard-driving style of Little Richard. Picariello eventually signed with Philadelphia label Swan Records, a recording studio in which Dick Clark had an interest. Clark brought Picariello national exposure through numerous appearances on Clark's TV show, American Bandstand. Cannon holds the record for most appearances by a performer (110) on Bandstand! He and Clark continued to collaborate on Bandstand reunion concerts long after the TV show ended.
By 1959, Picariello was singing using the stage name, Freddy Cannon. He was also called "Boom Boom" because of his thundering musical renditions and the "Cannon" name. From 1959 through the early 60s, Cannon had three Top Ten hit:
Palisades Park
Tallahassee Lassie (A song written by Cannon's mother. It was also the first of 22 songs which appeared on the Billboard Charts for Cannon.)
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
On June 24, 1966, Cannon played himself and performed one of his own songs during the final episode of the teen soap opera "Never Too Young." The role of Cannon was played by David Julian Hirsh in George Clooney's 2003 film, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.'
As of 2006, Cannon was a resident of Tarzana, California, and continued performing in concert.
Action
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's so neat to meet ya baby where the action is.
In every little town cross the U.S.A.
There's a spot where the people tangle everyday
Just leave your problems and get away
Come down and listen to the guitars play.
Dance, dance dance get up off of your seat
Dance, dance dance let your back bone slip
Let's go to the place on the Sunset Strip
Oh, baby come on, let me take you where the action is. (3X)
It's so neat to meet ya baby where the action is.
The lyrics of Freddy Cannon's song "Action" are an invitation to come and join the excitement in a place where the music is playing, and the people are dancing. The song speaks of certain spots, often in small towns, where people gather to escape their daily problems and indulge in the sounds of the guitars. The lyrics encourage the listener to come and dance to the beat and let their "backbone slip", while highlighting the allure of the Sunset Strip, a legendary location for live music in Los Angeles.
The song's lyrics encapsulate the excitement of the 1960s youth culture, with its emphasis on youthful rebellion, love, and freedom. It's an invitation to participate in the fun and live life to the fullest, even if only for a short while. The chorus, with its repetitive "Oh, baby come on, let me take you where the action is," is a catchy and simple invitation to join in.
Interestingly, "Action" was the theme song for the TV show of the same name, which aired in the mid-1960s. The show, which was hosted by Dick Clark, featured live appearances by popular bands and musical acts of the time, including The Beach Boys, The Supremes, and The Rolling Stones. The song became a big hit, peaking at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, baby come on, let me take you where the action is.
The singer is inviting his lover to join him at a place where exciting activities take place.
It's so neat to meet ya baby where the action is.
The singer is happy to have met his lover at a place where fun things are happening.
In every little town cross the U.S.A.
There is always a place in every small town in the United States where people gather to have fun.
There's a spot where the people tangle everyday
Every day, people come together at a certain place to dance and have fun.
Just leave your problems and get away
Come to this place and forget about your problems and enjoy yourself.
Come down and listen to the guitars play.
Come and enjoy the music played on the guitars at this fun place.
Dance, dance dance when you hear that beat
When you hear the music playing, let loose and dance to the beat.
Dance, dance dance get up off of your seat
Get up from your seat and dance to the music.
Dance, dance dance let your back bone slip
Relax and let your body move to the music.
Let's go to the place on the Sunset Strip
The singer suggests going to a place on Sunset Strip, which is known for its entertainment and nightlife.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Tucker, Brian Connolly, Stephen Priest, Andrew Scott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@samuelgriffin4167
Fun song by Freddy Cannon Oh baby come on Where The Action Is
@Mrjonsongz
Freddy Cannon performed great rock n roll! His records sometimes didn't show that, but this one did. With a great band like this he could go for it. And he did.
@charbokh
This is the first song that was played in a Radio Station called "La Femenina" in El Salvador Central America when it was born on February 2nd,1966.
57 years later it is still on the air, uninterrupted. Long life to "The voice of the new generation"
@themuzakman2416
I can never get tired of this old rock and roll
@edpolk1262
Coming home from elementary school, and watching the show: "Where The Action Is"
@charleswheeler3395
THE 50'S AND EARLY SIXTIES WERE A GREAT TIME TO GROW UP WITH SURFING, STING RAYS, MUSTANGS AND OF COURSE FREDDY"BOOM BOOM" CANNON
@valerieehrlich4374
amen and it was done in wholesome fun
@joemoniz4167
The best time to grow up
@margaret8391
Yes, and I graduated from H. S. and went to the university at that exact time. Always had my car radio on (when my parents weren't with me). 😊
@geoffolehane
I am old enough to remember when this was a hit song. Wow