Mitch Miller, who was in charge of talent at Columbia Records, noted Cernik in 1950, and he joined Columbia and got his new stage name at Miller's urging: Miller is supposed to have said, "my name is 'Mitchell' and you seem a nice 'guy', so we'll call you Guy Mitchell."
His first hit "My Heart Cries for You" was in 1951. In the 1950s and 1960s he acted in movies as well as singing. He did movies with Teresa Brewer and Rosemary Clooney. In 1957 he had his own television show.
Though he is considered an average pop singer, many of his songs have a decided rock beat to them, including "Knee Deep in the Blues", "Heartaches By the Number", "Rock-a-Billy", "The Same Old Me" and his biggest hit, "Singing the Blues", which was number one for 10 weeks in 1956.
2007 would have been Guy's 80th birthday year and to commemorate this anniversary SONYBMG(UK) are to release a new CD "The Essential Collection". A tribute site has also been launched: http://www.agreatguy.net detailing his life and career as a recording artiste.
Chick-A-Boom
Guy Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
Her shooes paddy-wack in front and the back
And her yellow curls go swingin'
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back
It was way up in Alaska
And the moment that I passed her
In my heart a little bugle blew attack
Though I knew I should resist her
I walked up to her and kissed her
And she didn't slap my face, she kissed me back
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
Her shooes paddy-wack in front and the back
And her yellow curls go swingin'
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back
Chicka-boom, chicka-racky-boom
Told me she was from Seattle
Where her Daddy raises cattle
But she's far away from home and so forlorn
Said the Yukon had her freezin'
And it would be mighty pleasin'
If I'd hug her once or twice to keep her warm
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
Her shooes paddy-wack in the front and the back
And her yellow curls go swingin'
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
Her shoes paddy-wack in front and the back
Chicka-boom, chicka-racky-boom
Oh, for her love I'd swim to China
But I'm not a rich goldminer
I can't give her things like rings an' fancy furs
But I'm still not gonna back-up
Gonna paint my little shack up
I'll tell her if she wants it, well it's hers
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back
And her yellow curls go swingin'
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back
(Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back)
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, chicka-boom, chicka-rack
(Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, chicka-boom, chicka-rack)
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Boom, chicka-rack
Boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom
The song "Chick-A-Boom" by Guy Mitchell is a playful and upbeat tune about a chance encounter with a woman in Alaska. It begins with the singer describing the sound of her shoes, "shooes paddy-wack," as they swing back and forth while she sings "chicka-boom, chicka-rack." The singer is immediately drawn to her, feeling his heart go "bang" at the sight of her. He approaches her and they share a kiss, which she reciprocates.
The woman tells the singer that she is from Seattle, but she is far from home and feeling lonely in the cold Yukon. He promises to keep her warm and take care of her, despite not being a wealthy goldminer who can give her expensive gifts like rings or fur coats. He plans to paint his little shack and offer it to her as her own if she wants it.
The lyrics are playful and light-hearted, and the catchy melody matches the flirtatious tone. The "chicka-boom, chicka-rack" refrain adds a fun and silly aspect to the song. Overall, the song celebrates the excitement of a new romance and the willingness to make sacrifices for love.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
Repeating the sound of the shoes slapping rhythmically on the floor
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
Describing the girl's joyful expression as she walks while singing
Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back
Noticing the sound of her shoes while walking and their impact on the floor
And her yellow curls go swingin'
Noticing the girl's yellow curly hair bouncing as she walks
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
Hearing distant bells that enhance the joyful atmosphere
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
Feeling excited and emotional in the presence of the girl
It was way up in Alaska
Recalling a special moment in the past while in Alaska
And the moment that I passed her
The moment when he first saw the girl walking
In my heart a little bugle blew attack
Feeling love at first sight, like a bugle playing the signature call of attack
Though I knew I should resist her
Admitting that he knew he shouldn't fall in love with her so quickly
I walked up to her and kissed her
Taking a chance and kissing her anyway
And she didn't slap my face, she kissed me back
Being surprised that she responded to his kiss positively
Told me she was from Seattle
Learning where the girl is from
Where her Daddy raises cattle
Sharing a little bit of information about her family
But she's far away from home and so forlorn
Feeling lonely and homesick being so far from home
Said the Yukon had her freezin'
Complaining about the cold weather conditions in the Yukon
And it would be mighty pleasin'
Expressing the desire to have a warm hug
If I'd hug her once or twice to keep her warm
Offering to warm her up with a hug
Oh, for her love I'd swim to China
Expressing his deep love for her and a willingness to go to great lengths for her
But I'm not a rich goldminer
Acknowledging the fact that he cannot give her expensive gifts
I can't give her things like rings an' fancy furs
Continuing the idea that he cannot afford to give her lavish gifts
But I'm still not gonna back-up
Refusing to give up on her despite his financial limitations
Gonna paint my little shack up
Making improvements to his home to make it more appealing to her
I'll tell her if she wants it, well it's hers
Offering his home and all that he has to her
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB MERRILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Beckwith
Bob Merrill wrote cheery songs and Guy Mitchell sang them well!
James West
I used to have this song on a 45 single.
sa moyo
top 20 of saturday 14 november 1953
Alan Fox
I thought he said chucka boom from the cartoon series Penelope pitstop and the chuckle brothers misheard song lyrics
Dor Hulse
Nice