Many sources erroneously give his middle name as Edgar. He is best known for his popular music chart successes with songs such as, "All Around the World" (1955), "Need Your Love So Bad" (1956) and "Fever" the same year, the latter covered in 1958 by Peggy Lee. An important figure in early R&B music, Little Willie John was a 1996 Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He was born in Cullendale, Arkansas, one of ten children, his family moving to Detroit, Michigan when he was four so that his father could pursue factory work. In the late 1940s, the eldest children, including Willie, formed a gospel singing group, and Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, musician and producer Henry Glover. After seeing him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, Glover signed him to a recording contract with King Records in 1955. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" John for his short stature.
His first recording, a version of Titus Turner's "All Around the World", was a hit, reaching # 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He followed up with a string of R&B hits, including the original version of "Need Your Love So Bad", written by his elder brother Mertis John Jr. One of his biggest hits, "Fever" (1956) (Pop #24), was more famously covered by Peggy Lee in 1958. However, John's version alone sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Another song, "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" recorded in 1958, reached #5 in the R&B chart and #20 in the Pop chart, and also sold over one million. A few years later it was a hit once again by Sunny & the Sunglows. He also recorded "I'm Shakin'" by Rudy Toombs, "Suffering With The Blues", and "Sleep" (1960) (Pop #13). In all, John made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of fourteen times. A cover version of "Need Your Love So Bad" by Fleetwood Mac was also a hit in Europe. Another of his songs to be covered was "Leave My Kitten Alone", (1959). The Beatles recorded a version in 1964, intended for their Beatles for Sale album, but it went unreleased until 1995.
Willie John was known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol, and was dropped by his record company in 1963. In 1966, he was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Washington State Penitentiary for a fatal knifing incident following a show in Seattle. He appealed against his conviction and was released while the case was reconsidered, during which time he recorded what was intended to be his comeback album, but owing to contractual wrangling and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six). Little Willie John died in 1968 at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington. Despite counter claims, the official cause of death was listed in his death certificate as a heart attack.
His interment was in Warren, Michigan's Detroit Memorial Park East.
Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
He was the brother of singer Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax, and the father of Keith John, a long time backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder.
James Brown, who early in his career had opened shows for John, recorded a tribute album, Thinking about Little Willie John... and a Few Nice Things.
Robbie Robertson, former lead guitarist for The Band, referenced John in a song on his 1987 self-titled album titled "Somewhere Down the Crazy River." He was also referenced in Tom Russell's "Blue Wing."
A biography, Fever: Little Willie John; A Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, written by Susan Whitall with Kevin John (another son of Little Willie John) was released in 2011 by Titan Books.
Let's Rock While the Rockin's Good
Little Willie John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop-bop-bop
Let's rock, baby, baby, let's roll
Let's bop to satisfy our soul
A-don't wait till we old and gray
A-let's rock, baby, right away
And listen to me like you know you should
Let's dance, baby, baby, let's hop
A-clap your hands and do the new style bop
A-let's mambo to the bongo drums
A-do the cha-cha; it's a lot of fun
A-listen to me like you know you should
Now let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good
A-while we're young and a-spring is sprung
Let's go moonlight strollin'
'Cause once you're old and your blood gets cold
Say, no more rockin' and a-rollin'
Let's swing, baby, baby, let's shout
And tell the old folks what it's all about
A-don't wait till your bones are stiff
C'mon and give your little heart a lift
Listen to me like you know you should
Now let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop
Bop-bop, do-wah-bop
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop
Bop-bop, do-wop-bop
Rock, rock, rock-rock-rock
Rock, rock, do-wop-bop
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop
Bop-bop, do-wah-bop
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop
Bop-bop, do-wop-bop
Rock, rock, rock-rock-rock
Rock, rock, do-wop-bop
Say, while we're young and spring is sprung
Let's go moonlight strollin'
'Cause once you're old and your blood gets cold
Say, no more rockin' and a-rollin'
Let's sing, baby, baby, let's shout
A-tell the old folks what it's all about
A-don't wait till your bones are stiff
C'mon and give your little heart a lift
A-listen to me like you know you should
Now let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good
Let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good!
(Oh yeah)
The lyrics to Little Willie John's "Let's Rock While the Rockin's Good" encourage listeners to enjoy life and have fun while they are still young enough to do so. The song suggests a sense of urgency to dance and enjoy life while we still have the opportunity. The song mentions various styles of dance, such as the bop, mambo, and cha-cha, which were popular in the 1950s and early 60s when the song was released. Little Willie John's vocals are energetic and upbeat, encouraging listeners to join in on the fun as he sings "let's rock, baby, baby, let's roll" and "let's swing, baby, baby, let's shout."
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "let's rock while the rockin's good," emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life while we can. The lyrics also suggest that when we get older, we will not be able to enjoy these activities as much, so we should take advantage of them while we are young and able.
The positive message of the song and its catchy melody made it a hit when it was released in 1959. Little Willie John's version of the song reached #13 on the R&B charts and #62 on the pop charts. The song has since been covered by various artists, including Bill Haley & His Comets and Chuck Berry.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock-rock, do-wop-bop-bop-bop
Let's dance and get groovy with some smooth moves while the music plays
Let's rock, baby, baby, let's roll
Let's have a good time and party all night long
Let's bop to satisfy our soul
Let's dance to suit our preference and keep our spirits high
A-don't wait till we old and gray
We must enjoy our youth and make the most of our lives
A-let's rock, baby, right away
Let's start having fun immediately without delay
And listen to me like you know you should
Pay attention to my words and take them seriously
Now let's rock (oh yeah) while the rockin's good
Let's enjoy the good times and the music while it lasts
Let's dance, baby, baby, let's hop
Let's dance and jump around with the energetic music
A-clap your hands and do the new style bop
Clap and move your body to the latest and greatest dance moves
A-let's mambo to the bongo drums
Let's enjoy the lively rhythms of the bongo drums by dancing the mambo
A-do the cha-cha; it's a lot of fun
Let's dance the cha-cha and have a great time with friends
A-while we're young and a-spring is sprung
While we are youthful and the season is perfect for outdoor activities
Let's go moonlight strollin'
Take a romantic walk under the moonlight with your partner
'Cause once you're old and your blood gets cold
When you are old and your energy fades away
Say, no more rockin' and a-rollin'
It will be difficult to enjoy the music and dance like you used to
Let's swing, baby, baby, let's shout
Let's swing our hips and yell with excitement
And tell the old folks what it's all about
Help the older generation understand and appreciate our music and lifestyle
A-don't wait till your bones are stiff
Don't wait to become old and physically impaired to have fun
C'mon and give your little heart a lift
Get up and do things that make you excited and happy
Now let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good
Let's seize the moment and have the best time while the music is still on
Say, while we're young and spring is sprung
While we are youthful and the season is perfect for outdoor activities
Let's go moonlight strollin'
Take a romantic walk under the moonlight with your partner
'Cause once you're old and your blood gets cold
When you are old and your energy fades away
Say, no more rockin' and a-rollin'
It will be difficult to enjoy the music and dance like you used to
Let's sing, baby, baby, let's shout
Let's sing loudly and enthusiastically
A-tell the old folks what it's all about
Educate the older generation about our unique culture, music, and lifestyle
Let's rock (oh yeah) while the rock is good!
Let's have as much fun as we can while the music continues with us
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOY KENNEDY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@manoelluizteixeira8073
Tem embalo e a batida que caracteriza o r`r , o que poucos conseguem fazer, bom mesmo. maneco - Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil.
@esrataf
This is the first time I heard the original - heard it on TV show 'Oh Boy' fifty-odd years ago, but never the original 'til now. How great was American music back then? The great-test!
@soulman4692
Awesome music...!!!
@anthonysmith8210
Let's rock
@revpgesq
thanks for posting. what a lot of straightforward fun for fun's sake for the young. would be fun to make a list of those songs...Buddy Holly Rave On..there i started.
@joeblevins1061
Every time I hear this song, I think about how LWJ died in prison at the age of 30.
@johnbewall9065
Fore a time he had it all
@JeffryArntzen
oh yeaaaaaaaah
@mick56
great voice waste of talent him and sam cooke mick