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.
Beachwood City
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gasin′ up my wheels
I'm a-headin' down
To a place where there′s a lot of sand
The Beachwood surfer′s got some ...?... hands
There's a lot of guys
Parties goin' on till quarter to three
Talkin′ about a place where you should be
Beachwood City
Girls all where their nails just hompin' down
A blondin′s all you need to get around
Twenty guys sharin' just one
You know this place's goin′ off soon
Just hear the sound of the drums
With its drivin′ beat
Shakin' and a-shoutin′
Dancin' in the street
Lots of cities in this world
And one thing makes them good
There are seven seas in another world
And Beachwood City is number eight.
The lyrics of "Beachwood City" by Freddy Cannon can transport one to a place of endless fun and adventure. The song opens with the singer leaving his town and hitting the road, fueled up and ready to head to the beach. It's obvious from the beginning that the place he's headed to is a destination that is synonymous with enjoyment, excitement, and leisure. As he reaches Beachwood City, he finds himself among a lot of surfers who have got some skills when it comes to riding the waves.
The song then moves on to describe the scene at the beach, where lots of guys are making eyes at the girls, and parties go on till late in the night. It's a place where one can escape from the monotony of everyday life and have the time of their life. The lyrics also describe how girls wear their nails down and blonde hair can be the key to getting around. The lyrics conjure up striking images of twenty guys sharing one girl and the drive of the drumbeat. Overall, the song reflects the upbeat and adventurous spirit of the time and the idealistic attitude towards life.
Line by Line Meaning
Packin′ up and leavin' town
I am leaving this town and getting ready to go on a road trip.
Gasin′ up my wheels
Filling up my car with gasoline.
I'm a-headin' down
To a place where there's a lot of sand
The Beachwood surfer's got some ...?... hands
I am travelling to a beach where there are many surfers with attractive hands.
There's a lot of guys
Makin' eyes at the girls they see
Parties goin' on till quarter to three
Many men flirt with the women they come across and there are events until late at night.
Talkin' 'bout a place where you should be
Beachwood City
I am discussing about a place that you must visit - Beachwood City.
Girls all where their nails just hompin' down
A blondin's all you need to get around
Women paint their nails and having a blonde hair is the only requirement to fit in.
Twenty guys sharin' just one
You know this place's goin' off soon
Twenty men share a single object and this space is going to be crowded soon.
Just hear the sound of the drums
With its drivin' beat
Shakin' and a-shoutin'
Dancin' in the street
Listen to the loud sound of the drums and its energetic beats as people dance and party on the streets.
Lots of cities in this world
And one thing makes them good
There are seven seas in another world
And Beachwood City is number eight.
There are many great cities in this world but there's something special about Beachwood City and it has the power to make it an amazing destination like the seven seas of the world.
Writer(s): Travis, Floris, Picariello
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephanieellison7834
I still feel it 45 years later (first heard it around 76 or so). It was my Mom's single vinyl that I listened to. I can still hear the pops and crackles on the single. The "Whoa" echoes across the decades from a past that no longer exist. I was born in January 66, so I wonder if Mom heard this while she was still carrying me...
@djdavemick
Maybe his best B-side.
@mikemarvin9248
flip of Where The Action Is
@dangeroreilly2028
Yep. I have the 45
@cierrasmith6888
When I hear this I also hear-Summer In The City