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.
Ebb Tide
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
First the tide rushes in, plants a kiss on the shore
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
The lyrics to Pat Boone's song Ebb Tide tell the story of a man who is drawn to his lover's side like the tide rushing in to kiss the shore. He feels a burning desire to be with her, and when they finally embrace, he can feel that their love is real. The imagery of the tide serves as a metaphor for the ebb and flow of their relationship, with moments of intense passion followed by periods of stillness and peace. The phrase "ebb tide" refers to the phase of the tide when the water is receding, and the lyrics suggest that the singer finds comfort in his partner's arms during these quieter moments.
The lyrics are simple yet poetic, using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the emotions and experiences of the singer. The repetition of the opening lines creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, mirroring the ebb and flow of the tide itself. The chorus is particularly effective, with its repeated refrain of "you are love, you are real," emphasizing the depth and sincerity of the singer's feelings. Overall, the lyrics to Ebb Tide are a beautiful expression of love and desire, using the natural world to connect the singer's emotions to something larger and more enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
First the tide rushes in, plants a kiss on the shore
The arrival of the tide is like the start of love, which rushes in with passion and intensity, leaving a mark like a kiss on the shore.
Then rolls out to sea and the sea is very still once more
After the initial intensity of love or the tide, it recedes to a calmer state like the sea, leaving a feeling of stillness and peacefulness.
So I rush to your side like the oncoming tide
The feeling of love is so strong that it makes one rush to be with their beloved, like the oncoming tide.
With one burning thought, will your arms open wide?
The anticipation and desire to be held by one's partner is so strong that it becomes a burning thought, wondering if their partner will embrace them with open arms.
At last face to face, and as we kiss through an embrace
Finally being in the presence of one's beloved, and expressing their affection and love through a tender embrace and kiss.
I can tell, I can feel you are love, you are real
The feeling of being with someone who is their true love is palpable and undeniable, and they know that they have found someone who is genuine and sincere.
Really mine in the rain, in the dark, in the sun
Their beloved belongs to them in every aspect of life, whether it be during moments of darkness, rain or even during times when the sun is shining bright.
Like the tide at its ebb I'm at peace in the web of your arms
Being in the loving embrace of their partner brings a sense of calm and peace, like the calmness of the tide during its ebb, enveloped in the comfort of their partner's arms.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robert Maxwell, Carl Sigman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lilian Gardner
My late husband used to play this on our piano, and always said, This song is for you.' Now, when I look at the piano, I picture him there, with a smile on my face, tears in my eyes, and a bitter-sweet feeling in my heart.
NANCYFLORESSANTOS
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Cecil Radford
@NANCYFLORESSANTOS A really touching story. I hope that with more time passing, that you will be able to experience less grief. Please take care of yourself.
Betsy Kallmeyer
My Mom & Dad met on the dance floor, got married, had 4 kids, my Dad traveled looking for steady work, she missed him, worried he would find another love, always returning home, finally landed a great career as a portrait artist in Las Vegas 9 years later; marriage lasted 22 years. During that time they had two âsecond honeymoonâ vacations in Hawaii without the kids. They were divorced; but she never loved another man, their love was passionate; this was one of her favorites; she gave me a wind up music box with this song as a gift one holiday, Christmas I think. Theyâre gone now. I can feel & see their passion with this version of this song. I love my Mommy & Daddy so much. Thank you.
Cecil Radford
Betsy Kallmeyer Wow such a thought provoking story. You are a very brave lady to share your story for all the world to read. Thank you for sharing, and I hope that you are more adjusted day by day, without your beloved Mum And Dad.
MARIANA Martins
Que Saudade, essa foi a canção que embalou todos os amores de minha juventude. Ao ouvi-la um a um vão se apresentando, como uma maré que vai e volta. Todos os amores passam, todos deixam residuos,...mas só um permanece por toda a vida, os outros và o e voltam somente como doces lembranças em continuo movimento. Eu sou a praia a areia, as lembranças são as mares,....só o mar é eterno e nos acaricia o corpo inteiro, eternamente.....!!!
TBJ
Kazi Karim
old is gold that is true, Pat Boone has proved it in his'ebb tide song.
VĂctor Morales - Piano
Beautiful theme, i have played it a lot of times.
Glen Lundin
Pat Boone is underrated
NANCYFLORESSANTOS
He's not. Very popular during his era.