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.
I'll Be Home
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please wait for me (wait for me)
We'll stroll along together
Once more our love will be free
At the corner drugstore
Each Saturday we would meet (we would meet)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
So darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
Darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
The lyrics of Pat Boone's "I'll Be Home" depict a loving relationship between two people who have been separated, perhaps due to military service or work obligations. The singer of the song promises to return home to his sweetheart and resume their life together. The longing in the lyrics is palpable, as the singer fondly recalls their past experiences together and expresses his hope that they will reunite soon.
The opening lines of the song plead for the listener's patience and affection, as the singer assures his loved one that they will be reunited soon. The romantic imagery of strolling together in freedom alludes to the couple's shared sense of purpose and liberation that comes from being together. The nostalgic recollection of meeting at the drugstore on Saturdays and walking home in the moonlight echoes the sentimentality of the song's themes of love and missing someone deeply. The repetition of the promise to return home, made even stronger by the call to "wait for me" makes it clear that nothing will keep the singer from his love.
The final lines of the song show the singer's unwavering commitment to his relationship and his partner, as he promises to serve and care for them upon his return. The language of the lyrics and the gentle, tender melody of the song combine to create a feeling of longing, hope, and undying love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home, my darling
I promise to return to you, my beloved
Please wait for me (wait for me)
Be patient and stay faithful, don't lose hope
We'll stroll along together
We will walk side by side, as equals
Once more our love will be free
Our affection will no longer be constrained or limited
At the corner drugstore
A specific location where we often met
Each Saturday we would meet (we would meet)
Our regular date, a cherished tradition
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Escorting you safely to your doorstep with the glow of the moon as our guide
All of these things we'll repeat
We will relive these memories and moments again
So darling, as I write this letter
As I compose these words, my dear one
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
I am optimistic that I am on your mind
My mind's made up, so long until
I am resolved in my decision, until the day arrives
I'll be home to start serving you
I will return to begin taking care of you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Ferdinand Washington, Stanley Lewis, KRISTOF HAJOS, PETER HARY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ww7ec2ot4n
Lyrics:
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
We'll stroll along together
Once more our love will be free
At the corner drugstore
Each Saturday we would meet (we would meet)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
All of these things we'll repeat
So darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
Darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
@MollyAngle-xf8oc
I Love That Song!
@kikida9645
❤❤❤❤
@pwepersonal2024
Another interesting thing: The original used copy of this 45 I had didn't have songwriter credits.
@SwineBuster
His voice is legend. Even 2021 is over in the next 6 hours, this song stays gold as ever.
@jimhilliker2450
He sounds very good on these ballads. I like to think that my mom and dad made romance to this and other 1956 love songs, after they put me to sleep at age 1. Nice record, I like it a lot.
@episodicanalysis
Kept newcomer Elvis' 'Heartbreak Hotel' off the top spot in the UK for two of it's five-week run at number 1.
@davidfoulds3408
Waltzed to this - high school dance - golden 1956
@countrypaul
Surprisingly credible. When Pat did ballads, he excelled. If the Flamingos had the benefit on this song of the kind of production they had later, this version would have been unnecessary. But it was, and Pat brought it home. (Pun intended.)
@user-ww7ec2ot4n
Lyrics:
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
We'll stroll along together
Once more our love will be free
At the corner drugstore
Each Saturday we would meet (we would meet)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
All of these things we'll repeat
So darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
Darling, as I write this letter
Here's hoping you're thinking of me
My mind's made up, so long until
I'll be home to start serving you
I'll be home, my darling
Please wait for me (wait for me)
I'd walk you home in the moonlight
Once more our love will be free
@robertchesnosky5427
HE WAS SO GREAT AT THESE TYPES OF SONGS. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BE A HARD ROCKER LIKE FATS DOMINO OR LITTLE RICHARD WHOSE SONGS HE WAS FORCED TO COVER BY DOT RECORDS.