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.
Chicka 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
"Chicka-Boom" by Guy Mitchell is a playful and upbeat song about a chance encounter between the singer and a free-spirited woman in Alaska. The song is structured around a catchy chorus of "Chicka-boom, chicka-rack," which is repeated throughout the song. The lyrics describe the woman's shoes which go "paddy-wack" and her swinging yellow curls. The singer is immediately attracted to her, and his heart goes "bang" at the sight of her. Despite the woman being far from home and feeling lonely, she seems interested in the singer, and they share a kiss.
The song's lyrics use playful language and sound effects to create a fun and lively atmosphere, with phrases like "my eyes lit up and my heart went bang" and "bells just rang, bo-o-oing." The chorus's repeated use of "chicka-boom, chicka-rack" adds to the energetic tone and makes the song highly memorable. Through the lyrics, the singer expresses his love for the woman, suggesting that he would do anything to be with her, including swimming to China. He may not be a wealthy gold miner, but he wants to make his little shack pretty and offer it to her. The song ends with the chorus being repeated and the sound of "chicka-boom" fading out.
Line by Line Meaning
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack
The sound of her heart beating
Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, she's singin'
The way she moves and the words she speaks are mesmerizing
Her shooes paddy-wack in front and the back
She is wearing shoes that make a percussive sound when she walks
And her yellow curls go swingin'
She has long, curly hair that sways when she moves
Bells just rang, Bo-o-o-ing
Her presence is so striking that it is like a bell ringing in the artist's head
My eyes lit up and my heart went bang
The singer is smitten and his body responds accordingly
It was way up in Alaska
The singer met her in a remote location
And the moment that I passed her
The artist noticed her instantly
In my heart a little bugle blew attack
The artist felt a strong urge to pursue her
Though I knew I should resist her
The artist was aware of the potential consequences but could not help himself
I walked up to her and kissed her
The singer acted impulsively and kissed her
And she didn't slap my face, she kissed me back
The artist's advances were reciprocated
Told me she was from Seattle
She revealed some personal information about herself
Where her Daddy raises cattle
Her family background is in the cattle industry
But she's far away from home and so forlorn
She is homesick and lonely
Said the Yukon had her freezin'
The cold weather is affecting her
And it would be mighty pleasin'
She would appreciate some physical comfort
If I'd hug her once or twice to keep her warm
She is asking for physical contact to alleviate her discomfort
Oh, for her love I'd swim to China
The singer is willing to do anything for her affection
But I'm not a rich goldminer
The artist admits he cannot provide material wealth
I can't give her things like rings an' fancy furs
The artist cannot offer her expensive gifts
But I'm still not gonna back-up
The artist is not giving up
Gonna paint my little shack up
The singer will improve his humble home
I'll tell her if she wants it, well it's hers
The artist is offering his heart and home to her
(Her shoes paddy-wack in the front and the back)
Chicka-boom, chicka-racky-boom
(Chicka-boom, chicka-rack, chicka-boom, chicka-rack)
Boom, chicka-rack
Boom, chicka-rack
Chicka-boom
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, 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