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.
Rock-A-Billy
Guy Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock
Some people think it came from Tennessee
Then spread on out to the lone prairie
It's the hillbilly rock, feeddlee dee
Turns me inside out
Gimme some
[CHORUS]
Hey, grab yourself a partner, lose the blues
Wear your store-bought clothes and your stompin' shoes
Better head for the hills, gonna blow my fuse
Hooo, I'm gonna shout
Gimme some
[CHORUS]
Since rock-a-billy swang the do-si-do
And the gee-tar man chased the old banjo
Leave the hoe for the crow, holler "Go, oh man, go"
Wiggle like a trout
Gimme some
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, hoo!, rock, rock
From the moment I feel this crazy beat
Ya gotta lose control or you're two left feet
Give me mountain juice, turn me loose
Leave me wave my arms about
Gimme some
CHORUS
[BRIDGE]
Ya know what rock-a-billy's all about
Ya know it's gonna make ya sing and shout
Ya know you're gonna act like a crazy fool
Who cares? It's cool
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock
Guy Mitchell's song Rock-a-billy is an upbeat and catchy tune that pays homage to the musical genre of rockabilly. Mitchell sings about the origins of rockabilly, some people think it came from Tennessee and then spread to the lone prairie with its hillbilly rock feel, and how it turns him inside out. The chorus repeats the word rock-a-billy several times, creating a catchy and memorable tune that encourages listeners to sing along.
Mitchell then urges listeners to grab a partner and lose the blues, wear their best clothes and stomping shoes, and head for the hills. He sings about how he's going to shout and dance with wild abandon, embodying the essence of rockabilly. He mentions how the genre swang the do-si-do and how the guitar man chased the old banjo, further emphasizing the fusion of hillbilly and rock that characterizes rockabilly.
Finally, he sings about the wild and crazy beat of rockabilly that makes you lose control and wave your arms about. The bridge of the song further reinforces the idea that rockabilly is all about acting like a crazy fool and not caring about what anyone else thinks. Mitchell's lively and spirited performance perfectly captures the essence of rockabilly and invites listeners to join in the fun.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock
The lively hillbilly rock music genre referred to as Rock-a-billy is being praised in this song.
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock, rock
The chorus is repeated multiple times to emphasize the love for Rock-a-billy music.
Some people think it came from Tennessee
Tennessee is believed to be the origin of the Rock-a-billy music genre according to some people.
Then spread on out to the lone prairie
Rock-a-billy gradually spread from Tennessee to other parts of America like the Great Plains.
It's the hillbilly rock, feeddlee dee
Rock-a-billy is a form or subgenre of rock music with a country and blues influence.
Turns me inside out
The singer's love for Rock-a-billy music is so strong that it has a deep inner effect on him.
Gimme some
The singer is urging the musicians to provide him with more Rock-a-billy music.
Hey, grab yourself a partner, lose the blues
The singer is encouraging the listeners to pick a dance partner and forget their worries while dancing to Rock-a-billy music.
Wear your store-bought clothes and your stompin' shoes
The singer advises to wear their best clothes and shoes, so they are well dressed and equipped to dance to Rock-a-billy music.
Better head for the hills, gonna blow my fuse
The excitement of the music is increasing that the singer feels like he's going to overflow with excitement.
Hooo, I'm gonna shout
The singer is stating his enthusiasm for the Rock-a-billy music by shouting out loud.
Since rock-a-billy swang the do-si-do
Since Rock-a-billy music came around, people have been pairing up and dancing the do-si-do.
And the gee-tar man chased the old banjo
The music is guitar-driven, and the guitar player has replaced the banjo player as the main instrumentalist.
Leave the hoe for the crow, holler "Go, oh man, go"
The hoe-down dance (typically accompanied by a banjo) has been replaced by Rock-a-billy music where the singer is urging the crowd to dance and have fun.
Wiggle like a trout
The singer is telling the listeners to have fun and dance as freely as a trout wiggling in water.
From the moment I feel this crazy beat
As soon as the music starts to play, the singer feels the crazy beat of Rock-a-billy.
Ya gotta lose control or you're two left feet
The singer advises that the only way to dance to Rock-a-billy music is to let loose and dance with wild abandon; otherwise, they will not be able to keep up with the beat.
Give me mountain juice, turn me loose
The singer asks for moonshine to help him let go and have fun dancing to Rock-a-billy music.
Leave me wave my arms about
The music is so infectious that the singer will be dancing and waving his arms up in the air with great enthusiasm.
Ya know what rock-a-billy's all about
The singer is confident that everyone knows what Rock-a-billy music is
Ya know it's gonna make ya sing and shout
He's also confident that Rock-a-billy music will make people happy and energetic.
Ya know you're gonna act like a crazy fool
While dancing to Rock-a-billy music, people are expected to let go and do crazy things.
Who cares? It's cool
Nobody cares about looking foolish while dancing because everyone is in the moment and having a great time, making it cool.
Rock-a-billy, rock-a-billy, rock, rock
The song's ending reminds us of the love for Rock-a-billy music.
Lyrics © HELENE BLUE MUSIQUE LTD, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE V. DEANE, WOODY HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@c.j.vanderweyde349
This melody has been in my head for over 65 years. Every now and then it surfaces and I hum this happy song to myself. Kees (from Holland)
@patriciahartless2095
Guy Mitchell Rock A Billy . Haven't heard this song in years . Thank you DJ for sharing this song . Have a great Saturday.
@patricia9713
just fantastic the start of rock n roll ,
@dansaver8247
Terrific.
@glynnalan195
Very good song 🧐👍, have you heard the one By Dolly Parton: The Love You Gave,? It is another one of my very favourites, you may have heard it but if not it is a lovely song indeed 👍🇬🇧🦞
@joyce9523
HEY HEY HEY 💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
@tihomir7
American singer, real name Albert Cernik, son of Croatian emigrants.