Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Curtis began playing guitar at the age of 12, entering local talent competitions. He moved to Weatherford in 1954, and while there he formed a band with two classmates, Jim and Ken Galbraith. They played at school events, but during one of the events, their show was shut down due to sexually suggestive on-stage movements.[1] Instead, the group played locally, and in 1955 they were offered a deal with King Records, who released their debut single, "If I Had Me a Woman". Soon after Alan Freed heard the group and invited them to play on his Christmas radio special in 1956. He returned to Weatherford to finish school in 1957, and then became a disc jockey in Seoul, Korea after joining the military.[1] Upon his return in 1960, he continued work as a DJ in the South, and released a few albums; his 1968 release, The Sunshine Man, hit #35 on the U.S. Country albums chart.[2] As rockabilly grew in popularity in the 1970s, he began recording with Ray Campi and signed to European label Rollin Rock; his career took off there in the 1980s and 1990s. He was later elected to the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died on September 16, 2013, following injuries received in a car accident.
Grandaddy's Rockin'
Mac Curtis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'll tell you now that he ain't no square
But he sits and rocks, rocks in his rocking chair
Well my granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Rock-rock-rock in your rocking chair
He's a-rocking out a rhythm that 'll scare you square
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Had a rock and roll party, the other night
The place was jumpin' and the cats alright
And they heard a crazy sound from the other room
When they saw granddaddy this is what the cats all grum
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
The song "Grandaddy's Rockin'" by Mac Curtis is a tribute to a grandfather who loves to rock in his rocking chair. The first verse describes the grandfather's appearance with his long white hair, but assures the audience that he is not a "square," meaning he is not old-fashioned or out-of-touch. The chorus emphasizes the grandfather's love of rocking, and how he just sits and rocks without a care in the world. The second verse tells the story of a rock and roll party where the guests heard a strange sound coming from another room, only to discover that it was the grandfather rocking in his chair. The song ends with a final chorus reiterating the grandfather's love of rocking.
Overall, the song captures the nostalgia and warmth of a beloved grandparent, while also celebrating their ability to have fun and enjoy life. The rocking chair serves as a symbol of the grandfather's age and experience, but also his willingness to let loose and have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
My granddaddy's got long white hair
Despite his age and appearance, my grandfather has wild and youthful spirit.
But I'll tell you now that he ain't no square
He may seem conventional, but my grandfather is actually quite hip.
But he sits and rocks, rocks in his rocking chair
Though he may not be active, he enjoys sitting and rocking in his chair.
Well my granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
My grandfather is enjoying his favorite pastime - rocking in his chair.
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
My grandfather is rocking in his chair with complete abandon.
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
My grandfather is rocking because he is cool and not a conformist.
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Even though he is sitting down, my grandfather enjoys rocking out and is unapologetic about it.
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
My grandfather is really into rocking in his chair.
Well I said, rock-rock-rock-rock-rock granddaddy
I encouraged my grandfather to keep on rocking.
Rock-rock-rock in your rocking chair
I asked my grandfather to continue his favorite pastime - rocking in his chair.
He's a-rocking out a rhythm that 'll scare you square
My grandfather is rocking to a beat that is so wild, even the most conventional person would be shocked.
Had a rock and roll party, the other night
Recently, we had a party with loud and exciting rock and roll music.
The place was jumpin' and the cats alright
The party was lively and everyone was having a great time.
And they heard a crazy sound from the other room
Suddenly, there was an unexpected and strange noise.
When they saw granddaddy this is what the cats all grum
When they saw my grandfather, everyone was surprised.
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
My grandfather is still enjoying his favorite pastime - rocking in his chair.
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
My grandfather is rocking because he is cool and not a conformist.
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Even though he is sitting down, my grandfather enjoys rocking out and is unapologetic about it.
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
My grandfather is really into rocking in his chair.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BLAKE-BLAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-bk2vp6gq4x
My granddaddy's got long white hair
But I'll tell you now that he ain't no square
But he sits and rocks, rocks in his rocking chair
Well my granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Well I said, rock-rock-rock-rock-rock granddaddy
Rock-rock-rock in your rocking chair
He's a-rocking out a rhythm that 'll scare you square
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Had a rock and roll party, the other night
The place was jumpin' and the cats alright
And they heard a crazy sound from the other room
When they saw granddaddy this is what the cats all grum
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
@lunawytch526
One of my fave boppers from the old Royalty/Bumbles/Shades..days.
@johnthrussell1377
Great record
@miketheshanmanmangan
Almost has a skiffle Feel to it Great Rockabilly
@gaminglegend7697
my grandaddys rockin in his rockin chair because he aint no square
@samuri-jg9sp
Even my grandad is rocking
@dominiquefaraut998
Rockabilly At It's Best !!!!!
@maydom04
My favorite by Mac!
@devonmoors
Brilliant! I won’t even sell my worn out King record!
@user-bk2vp6gq4x
My granddaddy's got long white hair
But I'll tell you now that he ain't no square
But he sits and rocks, rocks in his rocking chair
Well my granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Well I said, rock-rock-rock-rock-rock granddaddy
Rock-rock-rock in your rocking chair
He's a-rocking out a rhythm that 'll scare you square
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Had a rock and roll party, the other night
The place was jumpin' and the cats alright
And they heard a crazy sound from the other room
When they saw granddaddy this is what the cats all grum
Well granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
Granddaddy's rocking 'cause he ain't no square
Gotta sit down and rock, but he don't care
Granddaddy's rocking in his rocking chair
@HubMeunier
Mac the King !