Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.
The Rhumba Boogie
Hank Snow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me tell you about a new boogie beat
There's no hesitation, and it's sweepin' the nation
It's the Rhumba Boogie done the South American way
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
We were doin' the Charleston and Ballin' the Jack
Then across the water came Cuban Pete
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
It's the Rhumba Boogie let's give it a whirl
While he plays the boogie in the South American style
Well, you step out together then you circle around
Count one, two, three, then put your right foot down
Then you circle your lady, as you swing and you sway
To the Rhumba Boogie in the South American way
When that old piano, it starts to ring
Ever'body then starts to sing
To the Rhumba Boogie, done the tropical style
It's the Rhumba Boogie and they're doin' it all of the while
Well, the guy responsible for leadin' the band
He yells, Do your stuff it's the best in best in the land
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
In her little cabana in old Havana
The folks in Old Mexico were doing the tango
And we were steppin' to the rhythm of an old guitar
Well across the water came Cuban Pete
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
Hank Snow's "Rhumba Boogie" is a song that celebrates the South American rhythm and dance style. The song takes the listener on a musical journey, beginning with the history of various dance styles in Havana and finally coming to the new Rhumba Boogie beat. The first verse mentions Madame Lazonga, who was teaching La Conga in her cabana in Havana, while the people were dancing the Charleston, Ballin' the Jack, and Black Bottom until they started dancing to the Jitterbug Rag. The second verse introduces Cuban Pete, who brings the new boogie to the Rhumba beat that is the Rhumba Boogie. The chorus urges everyone to try this new dance that's sweeping the nation.
The lyrics capture the spirit of the time when new dance styles were emerging, and people were eager to explore them. The Rhumba Boogie is described as a lively and sensual dance style that brings people together to move and groove to the music. The joy of dancing, the rhythm of the music, and the pleasure of being immersed in a new cultural experience are all conveyed through the song's lyrics.
Overall, "Rhumba Boogie" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the diversity of music and dance styles and the joy they bring to people. The catchy tune and lively lyrics make it an excellent addition to any dance party.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome all you children, give a listen to me
Listen up kids, I've got a new beat to introduce to you.
Let me tell you about a new boogie beat
I'm going to explain this new type of boogie music to you.
There's no hesitation, and it's sweepin' the nation
This music is spreading quickly and people are embracing it.
It's the Rhumba Boogie done the South American way
This new boogie beat is done in the style of South American Rhumba music.
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
At the same time when a woman named Madame Lazonga was teaching the Conga dance...
In her little cabana in old Havana
...in her small hut in the ancient city of Havana...
We were doin' the Charleston and Ballin' the Jack
...we were busy dancing the Charleston and Ballin' the Jack.
Then that old Black Bottom 'til they started that Jitterbug Rag
We were even dancing the Black Bottom before the Jitterbug took over.
Then across the water came Cuban Pete
Then a man named Cuban Pete arrived from across the sea.
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
He began dancing a boogie that incorporated the Rhumba style.
It's the Rhumba Boogie let's give it a whirl
Let's try this new Rhumba Boogie dance and see how it goes.
While he plays the boogie in the South American style
As he dances to the beat that is typical of South American music.
Well, you step out together then you circle around
In this Rhumba Boogie dance, you start by stepping out together and then circling around.
Count one, two, three, then put your right foot down
You count to three and then put your right foot down.
Then you circle your lady, as you swing and you sway
Next, you circle your partner, swaying and swinging in time with the music.
To the Rhumba Boogie in the South American way
All the while dancing to the Rhumba Boogie in the style of South American music.
When that old piano, it starts to ring
When the piano begins playing...
Ever'body then starts to sing
...everyone starts to sing along to the music.
To the Rhumba Boogie, done the tropical style
They are all singing along to the Rhumba Boogie done in a tropical style of music.
It's the Rhumba Boogie and they're doin' it all of the while
Everyone is dancing and having fun with the Rhumba Boogie throughout the song.
Well, the guy responsible for leadin' the band
The man in charge of leading the band...
He yells, Do your stuff it's the best in best in the land
...shouts out encouragement to the rest of the band to keep doing their best and make this music great.
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
Let's keep dancing to the Rhumba Boogie for a bit longer.
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
A mix of Boogie Woogie and Rhumba Cubana music is played as a part of the Rhumba Boogie dance.
While Madame Lazonga was teachin' La Conga
At the same time when a woman named Madame Lazonga was teaching the Conga dance...
In her little cabana in old Havana
...in her small hut in the ancient city of Havana...
The folks in Old Mexico were doing the tango
...the people of Old Mexico were busy dancing the Tango.
And we were steppin' to the rhythm of an old guitar
We were dancing to the beat of an old guitar in our own unique way at the time.
Well across the water came Cuban Pete
Then a man named Cuban Pete arrived from across the sea.
He started a boogie to the Rhumba beat
He began dancing a boogie that incorporated the Rhumba style.
It's the Rhumba Boogie, let's dance it awhile
Let's keep dancing to the Rhumba Boogie for a bit longer.
To the Boogie Woogie done the Rhumba Cubana style
A mix of Boogie Woogie and Rhumba Cubana music is played as a part of the Rhumba Boogie dance.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK SNOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben Covington
No auto tune. No synthesizer. No retake. Just live music. (Perfect live music)
Joe Kelly
'He never makes a bobble-his pitch is perfect'. Every live performance was full of fire.
His live performance songs sounded just they did on the radio. He was the John Wayne of Country Music.
Fred Sullivan
Not only a great singer and guitarist, but he wrote most of his songs
Jim Philips
God what a delight! I stumbled across this entirely by accident. I used to see Hank Snow on TV when I was a kid.
Mark Markofkane
He didn't like rock and roll, but he could play it.
Phil Wood
Terribly underrated. Doesn't come across so well in the Elvis movie, but he's spoken well of inside the Nashville community. Some really solid recordings.Saw him at the Opry a couple of times at the Ryman.
Alan De Souza Cruz
Cool músic
LRS***
He is wonderful, so charming.. And he sings silky.. Not many can beat that.. Bless you Hank Snow..