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.
Good Rocking Tonight
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-darlin', don't-a forbid me to hold you tight
Let me hold you in my lovin' arms
'Cause it's cold and I can keep you warm
A-don't-a forbid me to kiss your lips
A-darlin' don't-a forbid me to kiss your lips
Let me kiss you
'Cause it's cold and your lips might freeze
Well, there's a strong West wind a-blowin'
And there's a big blue moon above
And, pretty baby, I've been knowin'
You need some heart-warmin' love
So don't-a forbid me to talk sweet talk
A-Darlin' don't-a forbid me to talk sweet talk
Let-a me fill your little heart with fire
'Cause it's cold, so don't forbid my desire
It's so cold (it's so cold)
So don't forbid-a my desire
(Don't forbid my desire)
The lyrics to Pat Boone's song Good Rockin' Tonight express a desire for physical intimacy with a lover, despite the challenges of the cold weather. The singer pleads with his partner not to forbid him from holding her tight or kissing her lips, arguing that his embrace can keep her warm. He addresses her in a tender voice, using terms of endearment like "darlin'" and "baby." He notes the cold wind blowing outside and suggests that she needs "heart-warmin' love." Despite potential objections to his intentions, the singer asks for permission to "talk sweet talk" and "fill [her] little heart with fire."
While the lyrics may seem innocent enough on their own, they take on a suggestive tone when read in the context of the song's genre and time period. Originally written and recorded by Roy Brown in 1947, "Good Rockin' Tonight" became a hit for Boone in 1955. The song is firmly rooted in the world of rock and roll, which was viewed as a scandalous new form of music at the time. Boone's clean-cut image and conservative Christian background only added to the controversy surrounding his performance of the song. Some critics accused him of sanitizing and white-washing the original version, which had more explicit lyrics and was sung by a black artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't forbid me to hold you tight
My love, please let me take you in my arms and hold you tight, as the wind outside is howling and bitter chilly. I want to keep you warm and safe.
A-darlin', don't-a forbid me to hold you tight
Baby, please don't stop me from holding you in my arms tightly even if we're not sure where this relationship is going or if it will last, as it's intense, passionate and gives me the comfort of having someone to love and care for.
Let me hold you in my lovin' arms
I want to wrap my arms around your body tightly and hold you close to me, as the warmth of your body brings me joy and happiness.
'Cause it's cold and I can keep you warm
It's freezing outside, and I can provide you with the love and warmth that you need, both physically and emotionally. With me, you do not have to be alone and cold anymore.
A-don't-a forbid me to kiss your lips
My sweet baby, please don't say no to my kisses. My love is sincere and intense, and I want to show you how much I care for you by kissing your lips and proving my affection.
A-darlin' don't-a forbid me to kiss your lips
Sweetheart, I want to taste your lips and explore the depth of my feelings for you. Nothing should stop us from sharing this intimate and romantic experience together.
Let me kiss you
Please let me kiss you, as I need to feel the sweetness of your lips and take in the passion of our romance.
Please, baby, please
I'm begging you to let me show you how much I love and admire you. My emotions are raw, and I want to express them to you in a way that you'll understand.
'Cause it's cold and your lips might freeze
My love, if I don't kiss you, your lips might dry and crack because of the harsh weather. Let me protect you from the elements by showing you that my love is genuine and passionate.
Well, there's a strong West wind a-blowin'
Outside, the wind is blowing hard, coming from the West side of town, suggesting the possibility of a storm or other weather phenomenon. It's unpleasant and uncomfortable.
And there's a big blue moon above
In the sky, there's a full moon shining down on us, big and blue. While it's a beautiful sight, it's also eerie and ominous. It adds to the atmosphere of the song.
And, pretty baby, I've been knowin'
My sweet darling, I know that you need to be pampered, cared for, and loved on. I understand what you require and want to provide it for you.
You need some heart-warmin' love
You're feeling lonely, isolated, and disconnected. You crave love that is honest, real, and from the heart. I'm here to offer you that, a love that is warm and passionate.
So don't-a forbid me to talk sweet talk
Please don't reject my efforts to talk to you in a more romantic tone, admired, and adore you. I want to use words that will stick with you and will make you think about me when I'm not around; words that will express my affection for you.
A-Darlin' don't-a forbid me to talk sweet talk
Sweetheart, I know I may not always have a way with words, but I want to express my love in a way that will make your heart swell. Please allow me to use my words, unclear as they may be, to show you how much I feel for you.
Let-a me fill your little heart with fire
I want to ignite a spark in your heart that will keep you feeling loved, adored, and cherished. My desire is to make you happy and warm your very soul like a roaring fire on a freezing winter night.
'Cause it's cold, so don't forbid my desire
As the temperature drops, and the wind howls outside, let me fulfill my desires and show you my love. I've got feelings for you that go beyond physical attraction or lust; they're rooted deeply in my heart and soul.
It's so cold (it's so cold)
The environment outside is adverse and harsh, with the wind rhat can freeze anyone who dares to venture out, seeking it's prey. It's uncomfortable and unpleasant without the right protection and gear.
So don't forbid-a my desire
Please let me love you in my way, baby. I want to make you happy and warm your body, mind, and soul with the passion and intensity of my love. Don't stop me from doing it, 'cause you deserve it all, and more.
(Don't forbid my desire)
I want desperately to express my feelings for you, my passionate love that boils inside me. Don't stop me, don't let me go; embrace me and let me take care of you forever.
Lyrics Ā© Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roy Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheLeonhamm
I prefer the Flip, still, this has a real Juke Box coin-claimer beat. Perhaps sounding just a little too Mid-Fifties by early 1959 (Stagger Lee, Donna, A Lover's Question, Venus). Neat! ;o)
What an era.
SeƱor XREY
"coin-claimer beat" LOL great phrase and so accurate for those of us who sunk our savings into juke boxes
Patrick Foley
Pat Boone finally had a little boy and named him Ba, Ba Boone
Gkrp
Dig the flip side too!
azdoowop
Try to make a pig fly or a bird oink - cant do and neither can Boone do covers!!
Micky Bowser
OH OH SWING SWING YES š¹ VELVET,š
Steven Wells
Slightly better than some of his earlier efforts.
Eric V
I like Pat Boone as a person but he ruins every song he covers