Born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Boone is a direct descendant of the American pioneer Daniel Boone. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, attended David Lipscomb College and began recording in 1954 for Republic Records. His 1955 version of "Ain't That a Shame" was a huge hit, selling far better than Fats Domino's original version. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering R&B songs by black artists for a white market. Previously, rock 'n' roll had had only limited exposure outside of the African American community. Pat Boone's pale covers gave attention to the more authentic original artists, such as Little Richard and Fats Domino and to rhythm and blues in general. In addition, the songwriters and copyright holders benefited even when individual artists did not.
In fact, only six of Boone's many hit singles were R&B covers, and only four of those were rockers. All were released in the first two years of his long career. These were "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino and "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard, and "At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama)" by the El Dorados. The other two R&B covers were well-chosen blues ballads, "I Almost Lost My Mind" by Ivory Joe Hunter and "Chains of Love," a hit for Big Joe Turner and later B.B. King that had been written by Ahmet Ertegun. By 1957, Boone was concentrating on the middle-of-the-road music that dominated his career. He never recorded another R&B cover.
Known as "The Kid in White Buck Shoes", Boone sported a clean-cut image that appealed to white [teens]] and parents. His singing style, a rich baritone, followed in the tradition of his idol, Bing Crosby. Preferring to carry on in the Crosby tradition, he soon began turning more and more to ballads. Some of his biggest hits included "Love Letters in the Sand" (with the instrumental break featuring Boone's whistling), "April Love", "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)", and "Don't Forbid Me".
His teen idol popularity in the late 1950s was second only to that of Elvis Presley, and, like Presley, he soon tried his hand at acting. Boone's pictures included 1960's Journey to the Center of the Earth alongside Hollywood notable James Mason.
His recording of the theme song from the 1957 film April Love topped the charts for six weeks and was nominated for an Academy Award. Pat also wrote the theme song for the movie Exodus.
A devout born-again Christian, he was raised in the conservative Church of Christ, but has been a member of a Pentecostal church for more than thirty years. Boone has refused both songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards, including a role opposite the decade's reigning sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. Among his other achievements, he hosted a TV series in the late 1950s and began writing in the early 1960s, a series of self-help books for adolescents, including Twixt Twelve and Twenty.
The British Invasion effectively ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s, he switched to gospel and country, and he continued performing in other media as well, most importantly radio. He is currently working as the disc jockey of a popular oldies radio show and runs his own record company which provides a much-welcomed outlet for new recordings by 1950s greats who can no longer find a place with the major labels.
Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of country music great Red Foley and singer Judy Martin, in 1953 and they had four daughters: Cherry, Lindy, Debby, and Laury. In the 1960s and 1970s the Boone family toured as gospel singers and made gospel albums, such as The Pat Boone Family and The Family Who Prays.
In the early 1990s, Boone joined Amway and spoke at many motivational seminars. He was also a distributor. He never reached the coveted Amway rank of Diamond.
In 1997, Boone released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, a collection of heavy metal covers revamped to fit his style. To promote the album, he appeared at the American Music Awards in black leather, shocking audiences and losing his respectability among his largest constituency, conservative Christians. He was then fired from Gospel America, a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. About a year later, the controversy died down and many fans, including Jack Hayford, accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". He was re-hired by Trinity Broadcasting and Gospel America was brought back.
In 2003, the Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee recognized his gospel recording work by inducting him into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Boone and his wife live in Los Angeles, California. They are members of The Church on the Way in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. His one-time neighbor was Ozzy Osbourne and his family. Boone's cover of Osborne's song "Crazy Train" became the theme song for The Osbornes. (It appears on The Osbornes Soundrack.) Osborne said that Boone "never complained once" about living next door to his less-than-traditional family.
Boone once claimed to use his own surname in lieu of curse words when upset.
In 2006, Boone penned an article for WorldNetDaily in which he argued that Democrats and others who are against the Iraq War cannot, under any circumstances, be considered patriotic. He also recently was interviewed by Neil Cavuto on Fox News, where he expressed his outrage against the opponents of George W. Bush (namely the Dixie Chicks) that their criticisms of the President showed they did not "respect their elders". Another article defended Mel Gibson after the actor was recorded making an anti-Semitic rant. Despite their differing political views, Pat Boone is friends with the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Anastasia
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you someone from another star?
Anastasia, are you what you seem?
Do your sad eyes remember a dream?
Why do you tremble
And why do you sigh?
Could you be lonely
Will you remember
When summer has flown
Another world, a world that is yours alone?
Anastasia, smile away the past
Anastasia, spring is here at last
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
Anastasia, Anastasia
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
In the 1950s, the world was obsessed with the mysterious disappearance of the youngest daughter of Russia's last czar, Anastasia Romanov. This song, "Anastasia" by Pat Boone, was inspired by that story. The lyrics pose questions to Anastasia, asking who she is and where she comes from, wondering if she is truly a stranger from another world. The song describes the feelings of the singer, who is also lonely and seeking connection.
The lyrics also touch on a theme of living in the present and leaving the past behind. The singer urges Anastasia to "smile away the past" and enjoy the spring that has arrived, rather than dwelling on memories of another world. The song is ultimately a love song, with the singer expressing his feelings for Anastasia despite not knowing everything about her.
The lyrics of "Anastasia" are complemented by a gentle melody that evokes a sense of longing and sadness. This song became very popular in the 1950s and remains a classic to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Anastasia, tell me who you are
Pat Boone is asking the woman named Anastasia to introduce herself and reveal her true identity.
Are you someone from another star?
He wonders if Anastasia is an extraterrestrial creature from outer space.
Anastasia, are you what you seem?
Pat Boone is questioning if Anastasia's appearance reflects her true self or if there's more to her.
Do your sad eyes remember a dream?
He asks if Anastasia's sorrowful eyes reflect a recollection of a memory or a dream.
Why do you tremble
Pat Boone is curious about the reason behind Anastasia's shaking.
And why do you sigh?
He wonders what causes her to release deep breaths of sorrow.
Could you be lonely
Pat Boone questions if Anastasia is experiencing the distressing feeling of being alone.
As lonely as I?
He points out that he too might be suffering from loneliness, perhaps looking for companionship.
Will you remember
Pat Boone is inquiring if Anastasia will recall something from her past.
When summer has flown
He is questioning if Anastasia will be reminded of something during the summer season.
Another world, a world that is yours alone?
He suggests that Anastasia has a world of her own, a personal space that she might not share with others.
Anastasia, smile away the past
Pat Boone recommends Anastasia to let go of her past and smile towards the future.
Anastasia, spring is here at last
He is happy to declare that winter is over, and spring has finally arrived, a time of new beginnings.
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
Pat Boone is calling Anastasia a stunning stranger up high in the sky, possibly with admirable traits, and asks her to come down to Earth.
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
He admits to having strong feelings of love for Anastasia, despite not knowing who she is or where she comes from.
Anastasia, Anastasia
Pat Boone repeats her name to reiterate his interest in the woman named Anastasia.
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
He repeats his request for Anastasia to come down to Earth and join him.
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
He repeats his declaration of love, no matter her identity or origin.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVID NEWMAN, GRAHAM COXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonmoore5294
His voice was PERFECT for this
recording. Some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written, by Paul Francis Webster, and one
of the most haunting tunes, by Alfred Newman. How
interesting that
the most prominent vocalists for recording these
popular film theme songs are
all still alive as of
February of 2018:
Pat Boone, Johnny Mathis,
and Vic Damone.
@AmineKabour
Anastasia, tell me who you are
Are you someone from another star?
Anastasia, are you what you seem?
Do your sad eyes remember a dream?
Why do you tremble
And why do you sigh?
Could you be lonely
As lonely as I?
Will you remember
When summer has flown
Another world, a world that is yours alone?
Anastasia, smile away the past
Anastasia, spring is here at last
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
Anastasia, Anastasia
Beautiful stranger, step down from your star
I only know I love you so, whoever you are
@miltonmoore5294
Pat Boone is the
only celebrity
connected to this
song, and the film
it derived from, that is alive.
(Hope I don't jinx
Mr. Boone. A few days ago I made
a similar comment about
Vic Damone; the
next day, he died!)
@Ann-sv7zx
My name is Anastasia and it's an honour for me to listen to this beautiful, classic ,vintage song!
@yvonnevazsaxena6712
Brings back memories of the times of my dad and mum's years. I remember all these beautiful songs of long ago. Thankful for the great music introduced to us when we were children, by our parents.
@setawallace2279
This song and Pat Boone's singing and voice makes me blessed that I was born
@user-bp3tq9no8b
Very-very beautifully! Очень-очень красиво!
@miltonmoore5294
His voice was PERFECT for this
recording. Some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written, by Paul Francis Webster, and one
of the most haunting tunes, by Alfred Newman. How
interesting that
the most prominent vocalists for recording these
popular film theme songs are
all still alive as of
February of 2018:
Pat Boone, Johnny Mathis,
and Vic Damone.
@miltonmoore5294
The DAY I posted
the comment above, Vic Damone DIED!😭
@johnjay2717
Anytime I hear a music or song, anywhere and in the context of a movie or theater, it leaves an impression on me that stays fresh in my mind and I have to go and find it even after many decades. This happens to be among that 'collection'. I remember such events as to where, when, and the context. Very impressive in my collection over the years as to its beautiful and romantic music and the mystery of the story about Anastasia. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. PS: I feel so lucky to have lived enough to enjoy what the internet, You-tube, and the connectivity revolution that empowers me with such music, and ability to communicate with relatives, friends, and people from around the world just from home almost instantly as needed or wished. Life is beautiful. Smile. Enjoy the moment!
@constanceazely
Very romantic and haunting song with Pat Boone's voice.
@MacrossMike
In memory of you,mum. Even though this stuff used to drive me up the wall as a child-now they remind me of you best. You are deeply missed.
@setawallace2279
Pat Boone One of a Kind. Just amazing voice and singing. He is the best in my BOOK.