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.
Anchor's Aweigh
Pat Boone Lyrics
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Anchors Aweigh
Farewell to college joys
We sail at break or day, day, day, day
Through our last night on shore
Here's to the foam
Until we meet once more
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home
Ship mates we'll be to the far-off sea
Yo, ho there
There mess, mess mates
Waiting out the wild Bonshees
And Navy out to sea
Tight our battle cry
We'll never change our course
So vicious coast is sky
Roll out the T.N.T
Anchors away
Sail on to victory
And sink their bones
To Davy Jones
Hooray!
"Anchors Aweigh" is a patriotic song that embodies the spirit and adventure of the United States Navy. The lyrics describe the excitement and anticipation of sailors as they prepare to set sail, leaving behind their college days and venturing out into the unknown sea. The repeated chant of "Yo, ho there" and references to shipmates and messmates evoke a sense of camaraderie amongst the sailors.
The final stanza of the song, "Roll out the T.N.T, anchors away, sail on to victory, and sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!" displays the determination and courage required of the Navy as they face the challenges of battle. The reference to Davy Jones, the legendary pirate who rules over the depths of the sea, reinforces the idea that the sailors are embarking on a dangerous and daring mission.
Overall, "Anchor's Aweigh" serves as a call to action and a rallying cry for the Navy, emphasizing the bravery and patriotism required of those who serve their country on the high seas.
Line by Line Meaning
Anchors Aweigh my boys
Let's raise the anchors and depart from this land, my friends
Anchors Aweigh
Raise the anchors and let's set sail
Farewell to college joys
We are leaving this place of higher learning, where we enjoyed our youthfulness
We sail at break or day, day, day, day
We will sail whenever the need arises, whether during the day or at night
Through our last night on shore
During our final night on land
Here's to the foam
Let's raise a toast to the seafaring life
Until we meet once more
Until we reunite again
Here's wishing you a happy voyage home
We wish you a safe and pleasant journey back home
Yo, ho there
A traditional chant of seafarers meant to rally the crew and increase morale
Ship mates we'll be to the far-off sea
We will be fellow sailors on the long voyage ahead
Yo, ho there
A traditional chant of seafarers meant to rally the crew and increase morale
There mess, mess mates
People are gathered to enjoy a meal together
Waiting out the wild Bonshees
Preparing for the roughness and unpredictability of the sea
And Navy out to sea
We are venturing out into the vast expanse of the ocean
Tight our battle cry
Let's shout our war cry with determination and passion
We'll never change our course
We will remain steadfast in our journey, unwavering in the face of adversity
So vicious coast is sky
We will keep moving forward, regardless of the danger, as our ultimate goal is the horizon
Roll out the T.N.T
It's time to bring out the explosives and fight hard
Anchors away
We are leaving the land and setting sail
Sail on to victory
We are heading towards triumph
And sink their bones
We will defeat our enemies and destroy their ships
To Davy Jones
The defeated sailors will be sent to the bottom of the sea, in the realm of Davy Jones, the mythical ruler of the ocean depths
Hooray!
Cheering with excitement and victory
Writer(s): Charles A. Zimmerman, Alfred H. Miles, George D. Lottman
Contributed by Grace R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.