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.
Okefenokee
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun goes down
And the air is cool
There's a real neat beat
Traveling over the water
It's making me a dancing fool
Okefenokee, Okefenokee
Choowa, choowa, choowa
Out on the lake
Down in Okefenokee
Riverboat where
The cats all show
Stomping their feet
And clapping in rhythm
It's wilder than a rodeo
Okefenokee, Okefenokee
Choowa, choowa, choowa
On the deck of the boat
Down in Okefenokee
Met a Georgia peach who
Was raring to go
She danced up a storn
With her pom-poms booming
Someone hollered, fire below
Well, the boat
Went down in Okefenokee
Well, the cats and chicks
Went for the door
My baby and I
Stole a kiss on the water
I kissed her all
The way to shore
Okefenokee, Okefenokee
Choowa, choowa, choowa
Come on, Georgia
Let's party, sugar
Yeah, bye bye
So long for now, baby
Come on, Georgia...
The lyrics of Freddy Cannon's song "Okefenokee" depict a fun-filled day in the Okefenokee swamp, located in the southern part of the United States. The song starts off describing the serene and cooler weather in Okefenokee once the sun goes down, but then picks up the pace as the singer hears a beat traveling over the water that makes him want to dance like a fool. The chorus emphasizes the name of the place with repetitive sounds of "Choowa, choowa, choowa," possibly representing the sound of a train or a party horn.
The song continues to describe a riverboat on the lake where cats (cool people) come to stomp their feet and clap in rhythm. The party vibe becomes wilder than a rodeo. She meets a Georgia peach who comes out dancing with her pom-poms, creating a scene that's hotter than fire. However, things take a turn when the boat sinks, and everyone has to escape. The singer and his lover steal a kiss on the water, and the song ends with a request for a party to continue.
One of the possible interpretations of this song is that it's about the excitement and party vibe of Okefenokee swamp. Another interpretation could be that it's about living life to the fullest and enjoying the moment, disregarding any mishaps that could happen.
Line by Line Meaning
Way down south in Okefenokee
The song's location is at the southern end of Okefenokee swamp.
The sun goes down
The sun sets on the horizon.
And the air is cool
The temperature is dropping, likely due to the night-time.
There's a real neat beat
There is a catchy rhythm that is heard.
Traveling over the water
The rhythm can be heard across the surface of the water, which may be due to something like a riverboat.
It's making me a dancing fool
The rhythm has got the singer (or singer) moving and grooving.
Out on the lake
The singer is located on a lake in Okefenokee swamp region.
Down in Okefenokee
The singer is located in the Okefenokee region, specifically on the riverboat on the lake.
Riverboat where the cats all show
There is a riverboat that people gather at, likely to enjoy the music and good company. The phrase 'cats all show' could refer to lively people or performers who put up a show.
Stomping their feet
People are enjoying themselves by participating in the lively scene of the show, and are mimicking the rhythm by stomping.
And clapping in rhythm
People are showing how much they are enjoying the rhythm in the air by clapping their hands in time with the beat.
It's wilder than a rodeo
The atmosphere in the riverboat is alive with energy and excitement and people are having a great time.
On the deck of the boat
The singer is now on the deck of the riverboat
Down in Okefenokee
The location of the singer and the scene is still in the Okefenokee region.
Met a Georgia peach who
The singer meets someone special from the Georgia area.
Was raring to go
The person is enthusiastic and up for anything.
She danced up a storm
The special someone dances with great energy and enthusiasm.
With her pom-poms booming
The dancer could be holding pom-poms and moving them about with her energetic dance moves.
Someone hollered, fire below
There is a sudden chaos on the boat with a fire breaking out.
Well, the boat went down in Okefenokee
The riverboat, in the midst of everyone's partying and having a great time, unfortunately suffers a drastic event of sinking.
Well, the cats and chicks went for the door
Upon realizing that the boat was sinking, people start to evacuate quickly.
My baby and I stole a kiss on the water
The singer shares an intimate moment with their significant other amid panic.
I kissed her all the way to shore
The singer shows affection and love to their partner as they enjoy the rest of the short but significant boat ride to shore.
Come on, Georgia
The singer invites or calls out to the Georgia area.
Let's party, sugar
They urge people to come along and party with the rhythm for a truly memorable experience.
Yeah, bye bye
The singer signs off, ending the song.
So long for now, baby
The singer delivers a goodbye message to someone special or to anyone listening to the song.
Come on, Georgia...
The singer repeats the call, this time leaving it open-ended for the listener to interpret however they like.
Contributed by Isabelle D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John O'Sullivancalsmso
What a fabulous beat!
belisario guerra
Cover: Los Gliders ( Mexico ) - La rebeldona ( 196? ).