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.
April Love
Pat Boone Lyrics
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Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
April love is all the seven wonders
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
But April love can slip right through your fingers
So if she's the one don't let her run away
The song "April Love" by Pat Boone is a ballad that speaks about the beauty and transience of young love. It evokes the idea that love in the month of April is a special kind of love that is only reserved for the young. The lyrics speak of the stars shining for the young lovers and how a single kiss confirms the love that they share. It also speaks of how the beauty of April is sometimes marked by unexpected showers, which serve to nourish the flowers that bloom in that month, much like how a relationship can sometimes have its ups and downs but ultimately leads to growth and beauty.
The chorus of the song repeats twice and highlights two of the main themes that are central to the song's meaning. First, it emphasizes that April love is only for the young, and second, it suggests that it is important to hold onto love when it is found, as it can easily slip away if not treasured. These themes are especially poignant given that the song was released in 1957, a time when the youth culture was beginning to emerge as a driving force in American society, and when popular culture was heavily influenced by idealized visions of love and romance.
In conclusion, Pat Boone's "April Love" is a song that speaks about the beauty and fragility of young love. It captures the essence of the spring season and how it serves as a metaphor for the blossoming of new relationships. The song's lyrics are simple yet powerful, and they continue to resonate with audiences today, almost 65 years after they were first written.
Line by Line Meaning
April love is for the very young
Love that blossoms in the springtime, when everything is fresh and new, is usually experienced by young people who are just starting to explore their feelings for each other.
Every star's a wishing star that shines for you
There are countless opportunities and possibilities in life, and it's up to you to decide what you want to do with them. Make a wish and work towards it with all your heart.
April love is all the seven wonders
Falling in love in April is a magical experience that can make you see the world in a different light. Everything seems more beautiful, more meaningful, and more wondrous.
One little kiss can tell you this is true
Sometimes, a single moment of intimacy can reveal more about your feelings for someone than a thousand words ever could. Trust your instincts and let your heart guide you.
Sometimes an April day will suddenly bring showers
Life can be unpredictable, and just when you think everything is going smoothly, something unexpected can happen. This is especially true when it comes to matters of the heart.
Rain to grow the flowers for her first bouquet
Even though the rain may seem like an inconvenience, it's actually necessary for new growth and new beginnings. Without it, the flowers wouldn't bloom, and the world wouldn't be as beautiful.
But April love can slip right through your fingers
Love is precious and fragile, and it's up to you to nourish it and keep it alive. If you're not careful, it can slip away from you, leaving you feeling empty and alone.
So if she's the one don't let her run away
If you've found someone who makes your heart sing, don't take that person for granted. Cherish them and make every moment count, because you never know when it might be your last.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind