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.
Tallahassie Lassie
Freddy Cannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She got a Hi-Fi chassis
Maybe looks a little sassy
But to me, she's real classy
Yeah, my Tallahassee Lassie
Down in F-L-A
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
Stomping to the Shag
Rocks the Bunny Hop
Ooh, ooh...
Well, she dances to the Bop
She dances to the Stroll
She dances to the Walk
She can Rock and Roll
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Well, she comes from Tallahassee
She got a Hi-Fi chassis
Maybe looks a little sassy
But to me, she's real classy
Yeah, my Tallahassee Lassie
Down in F-L-A
Well, she's romping to the Drag
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
Stomping to the Shag
Rocks the Bunny Hop
Ooh, ooh...
Well, she dances to the Bop
She dances to the Stroll
She dances to the Walk
She can Rock and Roll
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
She's my Tallahassee lassie
Down in F-L-A
Come on, baby
Come on, honey
Yeah, come on, sugar...
The lyrics to Freddy Cannon's song "Tallahassee Lassie" describe a girl from Tallahassee, Florida who is known for her dancing skills. Despite her sassy looks, the singer finds her classy. The chorus repeats "She's my Tallahassee Lassie, down in F-L-A," emphasizing her identity and location. Throughout the song, the singer lists various dance moves that she can perform, including the Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop, Shag, Bunny Hop, Bop, Stroll, Walk, and Rock and Roll. The repetition of each dance move gives a lively and upbeat feel to the song, encouraging listeners to dance along with the Tallahassee Lassie.
Overall, "Tallahassee Lassie" is a quintessential 1960s dance song that celebrates the abilities of a specific girl and encourages movement and joy. The repetition of the chorus, dance moves, and instrumental sections all add to the energetic atmosphere of the track.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, she comes from Tallahassee
The girl is from Tallahassee
She got a Hi-Fi chassis
She has a great body and she knows how to show it off
Maybe looks a little sassy
She has a bit of a mischievous look on her face
But to me, she's real classy
To the singer, she's elegant and sophisticated
Yeah, my Tallahassee Lassie
He's really into this girl from Tallahassee
Down in F-L-A
She's from Florida
Well, she's romping to the Drag
She's dancing the Drag
The Cha-cha, Rag-a-mop
She's also dancing the Cha-cha and the Rag-a-mop
Stomping to the Shag
She's dancing the Shag with enthusiasm
Rocks the Bunny Hop
She's really good at the Bunny Hop
Ooh, ooh...
The singer is impressed by her dancing skills
Well, she dances to the Bop
She's dancing to the Bop
She dances to the Stroll
She's also dancing the Stroll
She dances to the Walk
She can even dance to the Walk
She can Rock and Roll
She's really good at Rock and Roll
She's my Tallahassee lassie
He's really into this girl from Tallahassee
Yeah, my Tallahassee lassie
He's really into this girl from Tallahassee
She's my Tallahassee lassie
He's really into this girl from Tallahassee
Down in F-L-A
She's from Florida
Come on, baby
The singer is encouraging her to keep dancing
Come on, honey
He's asking her to keep going
Yeah, come on, sugar...
The singer really likes her and wants her to keep dancing
Writer(s): FREDERICK PICARIELLO, ROBERT CREWE, FRANK SLAY
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nathanmoser1
This is what real Rock & Roll is all about!!
@johnpearce3714
@ Nathan Moser ,Yes , So is Rockin' Jerry Lee Lewis ,Chuck Berry & all the other's .
@bradfordmiller637
His best song.
@christianweatherbroadcasti3491
Repent and trust in Jesus. we deserve Hell for our sins. For example lying, lusing, saying God's name as a cuss word and stealing our just some examples of sin which we can all admit to doing at least one of those. For our sin we deserve death and Hell, but there is a way out. Repent anf trust in Jesus and you will be saved. Repentence is turning from sin. So repent and trust in Jesus. He will save you from Hell, and instead give you eternal life in Heaven.
John 3:16
Romans 3:23❤😊❤❤
@nathanmoser1
AMEN!!!!!!!@@christianweatherbroadcasti3491
@hershenso
Since we got a lot of Freddy fans, I'll tell a few Freddy stories. This song was based on a poem written by his mother. She wrote all the words to the middle: she's rompin to the drag, the cha cha rag a mop, stomping to the shag, rocks the bunny hop, etc. It made him a rock star at 19.
@filthyanimal874
🤯😮😮🥳🥳🥳
@Northern-Sounds
The lucky blighter!! 🤣🥰
@neilcatura9482
The Stones Covered It!
@adamzientarski7065
😮