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.
Thee I Love
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More than the mulberries on the hill
More than the buds of a May apple tree I love thee
Arms have I, strong as the oak for this occasion
Lips have I, to kiss thee, too, in friendly persuasion
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
And come with me, for thee I love
Friendly persuasion
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
Thee pleasures me in a hundred ways
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
And come with me, for thee I love
The lyrics of Pat Boone's song "Thee I Love" express a deep and profound affection for a significant other that goes beyond material possessions and natural beauty. The singer declares their love for the person, placing them above the serene beauty of the meadow or the lush mulberry trees on the hill. The comparison to the buds of a May apple tree suggests a sense of new growth and renewal, illustrating the depth of emotion and connection the singer feels towards their beloved.
The imagery of the strong arms likened to an oak tree and the lips ready to express affection through kisses conveys a sense of protectiveness and warmth in the relationship. The mention of "friendly persuasion" suggests a desire to gently persuade the loved one to reciprocate the singer's feelings, emphasizing a sense of mutual respect and admiration between the two individuals.
The singer acknowledges their limitations in expressing love through words of praise, yet finds countless ways in which their beloved brings them joy and fulfillment. The simplicity of putting on a bonnet, cape, and glove and going on a walk together symbolizes the beauty of shared experiences and the cherished moments spent together in love and companionship.
Overall, the lyrics of "Thee I Love" paint a picture of a deep and sincere love that transcends superficial gestures and material possessions. The singer's heartfelt declaration of love, coupled with images of nature and gentle persuasion, captures the essence of a profound and enduring emotional connection with the person they hold dear.
Line by Line Meaning
Thee I love more than the meadow so green and still
I love you more than the peaceful and serene meadow
More than the mulberries on the hill
I love you more than the vibrant mulberries growing on the hill
More than the buds of a May apple tree I love thee
I love you more than the blossoming buds of a May apple tree
Arms have I, strong as the oak for this occasion
I have strong arms, like the sturdy oak tree, for this moment
Lips have I, to kiss thee, too, in friendly persuasion
I also have lips to kiss you, using gentle persuasion
Thee is mine though I don't know many words of praise
You belong to me even though I may not express my love with many words of praise
Thee pleasures me in a hundred ways
Your presence brings me joy in countless ways
Put on your bonnet, your cape, and your glove
Get ready by putting on your bonnet, cape, and glove
And come with me, for thee I love
Come with me, as I love you deeply
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonmoore5294
Master music-makers Dimitri
Tiomkin (composer), and
Paul Francis Webster (lyricist)
created the perfect song to
set the tone for
one of the most
beautiful films ever
produced by Hollywood. No
experience watching a dvd of
this film can even remotely compare
with actually having been
present in a movie
theatre during the
release of the film,
and watching the
curtains open to
this glorious theme. We not only don't have
the theatres, the
film scorers, the
lyricists and screen writers, or
the actors and
actresses, we don't even have
the CURTAINS!
Pat Boone is the
only individual connected with
"Friendly Persuasion" who
is still alive, as of
June 9, 2018.
@miltonmoore5294
Just discovered Carl Smith on
ALL THE WORLD
IS LONELY NOW
on Guy Miller ch.
(If you missed the Belmont Stakes,
google it to see
"Justify" win the
Triple Crown. But
the most astonishing part
was the 24/1 "Gronkowski" came from dead
last to place second!)
@chuckgillis9989
One of the most beautiful songs to come out of the era. It's beautiful melody has stuck with me over all these years.
@johndnorth
I was born in 1948 and saw the movie when I was child. A far better time and far better music. Thanks
@hilaryapril7043
I was born a year later...so true...hope I'm alive when I can buy a time machine!
@Cont0rt
You guys were born in one of the best generations. I'm 16 and I wish I was born in the 40s or 30s
@janelahmeyer2014
ā45 my favorite
@gerdwolf9136
What's the name of this movie?
@ey67
ā@@gerdwolf9136 friendly persuasion from 1956. Good movie
@jeanheller629
ā¤one of the most beautiful love songs ā¤ever recorded. No one does it better then PAT BOONEā¤
@aaliyahmargaret7145
Love Pat Boone songs since I was a child. I really enjoyed listening. Thank you so muchā¤ā¤ā¤.
@andrewwilliams2353
This wonderful song just breaks my heart. The melody sung to perfection by Pat Boone, the gentle lyrics - almost unbearably beautiful to a 68 yr old single romantic who has been in love a couple of times but never had it returned. Shows me what is possible for the lucky ones