During 1960, Horton had two other successes with "North to Alaska" for John Wayne's movie, North to Alaska, and "Sink the Bismarck". Horton is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Johnny Horton had several top ten songs in the late 50's and early 60's and was on the verge of becoming one of the top stars of the 60's when he met with tragedy.
He was born John Gale Horton in Los Angeles in 1925. He was raised in Tyler, Texas. Horton worked in the fishing industry in Alaska and California, and attended Seattle University. He worked for a while as a carpenter, and played basketball at Baylor University. He worked at a local radio station in East Texas and at the Hometown Jamboree in California. He did some recording with little success for the Abbott, Mercury, and Dot labels and picked up the nickname the Singing Fisherman. Horton became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride.
Johnny married Billie Jean Jones, the widow of country music legend Hank Williams. He sang country songs and signed a recording contract with Columbia, where he would achieve his greatest success. Some of his first hits included Honky Tonk Man, I'm A One-Woman Man in 1956, Coming Home in 1957 and All Grown Up in 1958. He topped the country charts in 1959 with When It's Springtime In Alaska.
Johnny Horton then began to record a series of saga songs that crossed over to the pop charts. He covered Jimmy Driftwood's The Battle Of New Orleans in 1959. The song topped the country charts and it reached number one on the pop charts, where it remained for a solid six weeks. The song was a tribute to the final battle of the War of 1812. He also recorded Sink The Bismarck in 1960, a song that was suggested by the film of the same title; it went top ten country and pop. Johnny Horton was a star. He sang the title song for the John Wayne movie North To Alaska and it too made the top ten in both charts during the same year.
On November 5, 1960, while North To Alaska was still climbing the charts, Horton was killed in an automobile accident in Milano, Texas following an appearance at the Skyline Club in Austin. He is buried in Hillcrest Cemetary in Haughton, LA.
Following Horton's death some of his earlier hit songs made the charts once again. Albums of his recordings were compiled and issued in the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and they are still selling.
His biography was published in 1983 under the title Your Singing Fisherman.
All Grown Up
Johnny Horton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Standing at your door just like I done before
You've changed so strange, you're all grown up
You wear those heels and hose dressed up in your mama's clothes
You're hip, I'm flipped, your all grown up
When I'm walking talking to ya all the time
When you feel my touch (Hey daddy)by loving you too much(Hey daddy)
You're right, so nice, you're all grown up
(Hey daddy, hey daddy I'm all grown up)
You threw away those candy bars started gazing at the stars
Brand new that's you, you're all grown up
When your lips so fine start closing in on mine
More thrills, more chills, you're all grown up
When I'm walking talking to ya all the time
Makes me glad all over honey, so glad you're mine
When you feel my touch(Hey daddy) by loving you too much(Hey daddy)
You're right, so nice, you're all grown up
(Hey daddy, hey daddy I'm all grown up)
The song "All Grown Up" by Johnny Horton is a playful and nostalgic reflection on the changes that have taken place in the girl addressed in the song. As the singer stands at the door looking at her, he notes the differences in her appearance and personality. The girl has changed from wearing candy bars and playing games to wearing heels and hose, and looking up at the stars. The chorus "Hey daddy, hey daddy, I'm all grown up" acknowledges her evolution and hints at both her maturity and the singer's pride in her.
The lyrics are set to upbeat music with a bouncy rhythm that matches the playful nature of the song. They describe the singer's joy and excitement, as well as his love, as he interacts with this girl who has grown into a woman. He finds her more attractive and alluring than ever before, and he is thrilled to be with her.
Overall, "All Grown Up" captures the joy and excitement of growing up and experiencing new things. It is a fun and lively song that celebrates the evolution of a young woman and the happiness that comes with growing up.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing at your door just like I done before
I'm here at your door again, though things have changed, and you're all grown up now.
You've changed so strange, you're all grown up
You've changed in unexpected ways, and it's clear that you're all grown up now.
You wear those heels and hose dressed up in your mama's clothes
You dress up in fancy clothes and wear high heels, even wearing clothes that remind me of your mom.
You're hip, I'm flipped, your all grown up
You're cool and fashionable, while I am going crazy for you - this shows how much you've grown up.
When I'm walking talking to ya all the time
I love spending time with you - walking and talking to you all the time.
Makes me glad all over honey, so glad you're mine
Being with you fills me with joy, I'm so happy that you're mine.
When you feel my touch (Hey daddy)by loving you too much(Hey daddy)
When we're touching and loving, it's clear that I'm crazy about you and that you're all grown up now.
You're right, so nice, you're all grown up
You're just right for me, it feels good to be with you, and it's clear that you've grown up.
You threw away those candy bars started gazing at the stars
You've left behind childish things and are looking at the stars in a new way, demonstrating that you've grown up.
Brand new that's you, you're all grown up
You are like a new person, very different from before, and it's clear that you've grown up.
When your lips so fine start closing in on mine
When we're starting to kiss, your lips are so perfect and sweet.
More thrills, more chills, you're all grown up
This kiss is bringing me more excitement and thrill than before - and it's clear that you're all grown up now.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: JEFF BARRY, ELLIE GREENWICH, PHILLIP SPECTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sanguis
on I Hate Niggers
John Gale "Johnny" Horton did NOT write or sing the song "I Hate Niggers". That song was by Johnny Rebel and not written or released for some years after Johnny Horton died.