Johnny Cymbal was born in Ochitree, Scotland on 3 February 1945 and named J… Read Full Bio ↴Johnny Cymbal was born in Ochitree, Scotland on 3 February 1945 and named John Hendry Blair.

During a career that spanned four decades, from the time he was 15 until he died in 1993 Johnny Cymbal made a meaningful impact on popular music worldwide; as a songwriter, singer, performer and record producer. During those years, in addition to his 1963 rock and roll anthem, “Mr. Bass Man”, he was responsible for hit records including: “Teenage Heaven”, “Cinnamon”, “Mary In The Morning,” “Rock Me Baby” and “I'm Drinking Canada Dry”.

As a singer, Cymbal had releases on numerous labels, including MGM, Columbia, Musicor, Kapp, Roulette, Bang, Curb and Scepter. His recording pseudonyms included “Brother John,” “Derek,” “The Eye-Full Tower,” “Dallas” and “The Non-Conformists,” among many others.

Teenage Heaven
Johnny Cymbal Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I dreamed I was in teenage heaven
I saw all the stars in teenage heaven

There was a golden door
With a golden star
And I walked on through
And there were all the
Teenage stars we knew

There was Richie Valens
Singing, Donna, I love you
Next to him, Buddy Holly
Wuh oh, Peggy Sue

Eddie Cochran
Sang Summertime Blues
Into the golden mic
And the Big Bopper
With his laughing face said
You know what I like

On the movie scene
I saw James Dean
Well, what can I say

Then an angel led me
Through a door marked
A hundred tears from today

There was Ricky Nelson
Singing Lonesome Town
And all the stars then
Gathered round

Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee
And Fabian too
Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka
And the Fleetwoods sang Mr. Blue

And there was Elvis in a suit of gold
Singing at his very best
Love Me Tender, Don't Be Cruel
And you know all the rest

And as I left teenage heaven
Duane played his guitar
And I heard them call the roll
And the names were teenage stars

Bobby Darin, Chubby Checker
Dion, Dee Dee Sharp
The Everly Brothers, Bobby Rydell

Frankie Avalon, Little Eva
The Shirelles...

Overall Meaning

Johnny Cymbal's song 'Teenage Heaven' is a nostalgic tribute to the rock and roll era of the 1950s and early 1960s, where the singer dreamt of visiting a heaven filled with all the teenage stars we knew. As he enters the golden door with the golden star, he sees all the icons he grew up listening to. Richie Valens singing "Donna," Buddy Holly and "Peggy Sue," Eddie Cochran performing "Summertime Blues," and Big Bopper with his signature catchphrase "You know what I like." The singer also sees one of the biggest movie stars of the time, James Dean, with an angel leading him through a door marked as a hundred tears from today.

As the dream continues, Ricky Nelson sings "Lonesome Town," and the Fleetwoods perform "Mr. Blue." Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee, Fabian, Connie Francis, and Neil Sedaka are also seen. Elvis Presley is present, and the dream's last scene, where Duane plays his guitar, and the roll call of teenage stars is done, features Bobby Darin, Chubby Checker, Dion, Dee Dee Sharp, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Little Eva, and The Shirelles.

The song is a tribute to the golden era of rock and roll. The song's narrative style is one of reminiscing, as the singer fondly remembers and visits the heaven filled with legendary stars who contributed to rock and roll culture. The chorus is catchy and dreamy, making it easy to sing along. It has become a classic of the rock and roll era and a nostalgic gem.

Interesting facts about the song include:

Line by Line Meaning

I dreamed I was in teenage heaven
The singer had a dream where he visited a place called teenage heaven which is believed to be a happy place for teenagers.

I saw all the stars in teenage heaven
While in teenage heaven, the singer saw all the stars which were famous during the teenage era.

There was a golden door
The entrance to teenage heaven was a magnificent golden door.

With a golden star
The door had a golden star embedded on it which added to its beauty.

And I walked on through
The singer walked through the golden door as he entered teenage heaven.

And there were all the teenage stars we knew
After entering teenage heaven, the singer saw all the famous teenage stars he had known.

There was Richie Valens, Singing, Donna, I love you
Richie Valens was in teenage heaven and was singing his famous song 'Donna' which he wrote for his girlfriend.

Next to him, Buddy Holly Wuh oh, Peggy Sue
Buddy Holly was singing his famous song 'Peggy Sue' in teenage heaven.

Eddie Cochran Sang Summertime Blues Into the golden mic
Eddie Cochran was performing 'Summertime Blues' on a golden microphone.

And the Big Bopper With his laughing face said You know what I like
The Big Bopper was in teenage heaven and said a popular phrase he was known for, 'You know what I like' with his joyful face.

On the movie scene I saw James Dean Well, what can I say
The singer saw James Dean on a movie screen in teenage heaven and was left speechless.

Then an angel led me Through a door marked A hundred tears from today
An angel in teenage heaven led the singer through a door that stated that it's a hundred years from the present day.

There was Ricky Nelson Singing Lonesome Town And all the stars then Gathered round
Ricky Nelson was performing 'Lonesome Town' and other famous stars surrounded him and were enjoying the moment with him.

Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee And Fabian too Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka And the Fleetwoods sang Mr. Blue
Other stars such as Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee, Fabian, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka, and The Fleetwoods were also in teenage heaven singing their famous songs.

And there was Elvis in a suit of gold Singing at his very best Love Me Tender, Don't Be Cruel And you know all the rest
Elvis was in teenage heaven in his golden suit and was performing his hit songs 'Love Me Tender' and 'Don't Be Cruel' and other hits that the listeners would know.

And as I left teenage heaven Duane played his guitar And I heard them call the roll And the names were teenage stars
As the singer was leaving teenage heaven, Duane was playing his guitar and there was a roll-call of teenage stars which indicates that they were still remembered even after all these years.

Bobby Darin, Chubby Checker Dion, Dee Dee Sharp The Everly Brothers, Bobby Rydell Frankie Avalon, Little Eva The Shirelles...
The roll-call had famous teenage stars' names that included Bobby Darin, Chubby Checker, Dion, Dee Dee Sharp, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Little Eva, and The Shirelles.

Contributed by Alexis J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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