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.
Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of Fourth and Grand
Where a little ball of rhythm
Has a shoe shine stand
People gather round
And they clap their hands
He's a great big bundle of joy
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
Yeah, he charges you a nickel
Just to shine one shoe
He makes the oldest kind
Of leather look like new
You feel as though you wanna dance
When he gets through
He's a great big bundle of joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You ought to see him fan the air
With his hoppity hippity
Hoppity hippity hop hop hop
He opens up for business
When the clock strikes nine
He likes to get em early
When they're feeling fine
Everybody gets a little rise and shine
With the great big bundle of joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
Yeah, woo, oh, do it, do it, do it
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You ought to see him fan the air
With his hoppity hippity
Hoppity hippity hop hop hop
He opens up for business
When the clock strikes nine
He likes to get em early
When they're feeling fine
Everybody gets a little rise and shine
With the great big bundle of joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
Yeah, woo, do it, do it, do it, do it
"Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" is a classic song by Freddy Cannon that tells the story of a shoe shine boy who sets up his stand on the corner of Fourth and Grand. It's a catchy tune that celebrates this young man's talent as he provides customers with a great shoe shine and a bit of entertainment.
The lyrics describe how people gather around the shoe shine stand and clap their hands as the shoe shine boy pops the boogie woogie rag. His skill is so great that he can make even the oldest leather look like new. The song suggests that the shoe shine boy's talent is not just in his ability to shine shoes, but also in his ability to bring joy to those around him. The description of his hoppity hippity hopping suggests that he is not just a skilled shoe shine boy, but also a talented performer who knows how to entertain a crowd.
The chorus repeats the phrase "He's a great big bundle of joy" several times, emphasizing the idea that the shoe shine boy is more than just a shoe shiner - he's a source of happiness and delight for everyone who encounters him. His early morning hours suggest that he is eager to start his day and eager to brighten the days of those around him.
Overall, "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" is a lively and fun song that celebrates the talent and energy of a young man who sets up his stand on the corner of Fourth and Grand.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever passed the corner
Of Fourth and Grand
Where a little ball of rhythm
Has a shoe shine stand
Have you ever walked past Fourth and Grand and noticed a small but talented person shining shoes while dancing to a beat?
People gather round
And they clap their hands
He's a great big bundle of joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
The shoe shiner draws a crowd with his infectious energy and impressive musical skill as he performs the boogie woogie while shining shoes in Chattanooga.
Yeah, he charges you a nickel
Just to shine one shoe
He makes the oldest kind
Of leather look like new
You feel as though you wanna dance
When he gets through
For a mere nickel, he shines a single shoe so expertly that even the oldest leather looks new again. His rhythm is so infectious that you feel like dancing once he's finished.
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You ought to see him fan the air
With his hoppity hippity
Hoppity hippity hop hop hop
The way he moves his rag while shining shoes is so lively and vigorous that it’s surprising the rag doesn't rip. It's a sight to see him add even more pizzazz by fanning the air with his quick hops.
He opens up for business
When the clock strikes nine
He likes to get em early
When they're feeling fine
Everybody gets a little rise and shine
He starts his business early in the morning and prefers customers who are already in good spirits. He gives everyone some added enthusiasm to start their day off right.
With the great big bundle of joy
He pops the boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoe shine boy
Yeah, woo, oh, do it, do it, do it
The shoe shiner is a happy and energetic person who entertains patrons while expertly shining their shoes in Chattanooga. He adds to the joy with his boogie woogie skills.
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1960 {March 19th} Freddy Cannon performed "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" on the ABC -TV program 'Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beech-Nut Show'... One month earlier on February 22nd it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #34 and spent 7 weeks on the Top 100... This was his 4th straight charted record with a city/location in the title; started with "Tallahassee Lassie", then "Okefenokee", followed by "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans", and finally this one...
William Bevis
The two hit single of Chattanooga Shoeshiineboy and Boston My iHometown was the first 45 I ever bought. On Swan records. I played it over and over and over. I was five years old. I still listen to and love it today. Freddy Boom Boom Cannon. Great single! Great nickname! I never get tired of this 45. Do it...Do it ...Do it...Do it ...Do it.
Dave Micklon
Right on...Doitdoitdoitdoit!
Romulus Hill
I love freddy cannon he makes u wanna get up and dance