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.
Now is the Hour
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Night o'er the valley is creeping!
Birds cuddle down in their nest,
Soon all the world will be sleeping
And now is the hour when we must say goodbye,
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea,
While you're away, o, then remember me,
True lovers often must part,
Kiss me, then leave me to sorrow!
Here love, I give you my heart,
You will return some glad morrow
But now is the hour when we must say goodbye,
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea,
While you're away, o, then remember me,
When you return, you'll find me waiting here.
The Pat Boone's song "Now is the Hour" is a ballad of a bittersweet goodbye. The first two lines of the verse depict a sunset glow fading in the west, and darkness creeping over the valley, which creates a melancholic atmosphere. The following two lines convey a feeling of tranquilness with the birds cuddling down in their nest and the world fall asleep. The line 'and now is the hour when we must say goodbye' indicates a separation between two loved ones.
In the chorus, the song conveys the sentiments of farewell. It tells the lover that he will be sailing far across the sea, and while he is away, he should remember her. The singer expresses her hope that when he returns, he will find her waiting for him, showing that the affection is still alive.
In the second verse, the lyrics show the lover's acceptance that true lovers often part ways. The line 'kiss me, then leave me to sorrow' portrays the pain of separation. The singer says that she gives her heart to him, and he will return in some happy tomorrow, which indicates that she has faith in the reunion.
Overall, "Now is the Hour" is about the farewell between two lovers, but it's also hopeful that they will meet again in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunset glow fades in the west,
The sun is setting and the sky is getting darker in the west.
Night o'er the valley is creeping!
Nighttime is slowly taking over the valley and everything will soon be dark.
Birds cuddle down in their nest,
The birds are settling into their nests for the night and getting comfortable.
Soon all the world will be sleeping
Everyone and everything will soon be asleep and the world will be quiet.
And now is the hour when we must say goodbye,
This is the moment when we have to say farewell to each other.
Soon you'll be sailing far across the sea,
You will be traveling across the ocean soon.
While you're away, o, then remember me,
Please think of me while you are gone.
When you return, you'll find me waiting here
I will be here waiting for you when you come back.
True lovers often must part,
It is common for true love to experience separation.
Kiss me, then leave me to sorrow!
Give me a farewell kiss before you go, even though it will bring me sadness.
Here love, I give you my heart,
I am giving you my heart and my love before you leave.
You will return some glad morrow
I have faith that you will come back to me someday and we will be happy again.
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY BYRD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Betty Toh
Beautiful rendition by Pat and Shirley Boone. Thank you for sharing.
Brentz Thompson
This whole series of Pat and Shirley's songs are wonderful. Thanks for posting.
Donna Hunter
Love this song! Sang it at my sisters grade 12 gradš„°š„°š„°
Ruth Adele West Cole
Wonderful singing by Pat & Shirley.
Ronald DeLong
Two of the best singers of my time, lovely songs.
Glennsten Bergkvist
Let's give some thanks to Billy for this record, too, as he had the concept and put it together from start to finish. Even heard a trace or organ in there, too! Billy was a very special artist indeed. Thanks for posting this timeless classic.
Lucita Dacapio
I enjoy listening during my free time. Have a wonderful day to all listeners of Pat &Shirley Bone .
SARAH Y HUTSON
BROUGHT BACK FOND MEMORIES!! GOT THIS LP SO MANY YEARS AGO!!
Betty Toh
Nothing like the old songs. Beautiful melody and very meaningful lyrics. They are evergreen !
Betty Spearns
Oh the memories here! Beautiful! š