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.
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Pat Boone Lyrics
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Well now everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a singing that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh glory hallelujah
Brother there's a reckoning a coming in the morning
Better get ready cause I'm giving you the warning
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now listen everybody cause I'm talking to you
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
You better get ready cause I'm telling you why
The Lord is a coming from his throne on high
Going down the valley going one by one
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
How you gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
Well a well a well a
[Chorus]
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
If you understand it and you can if you try
The Lord is a coming from his throne on high
A reading in the Bible about the things he said
He said he's coming back again to raise the dead
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Or will you make it through?
Well a well a well a
[Chorus]
Well a well a well a
[Chorus]
The song "There's a Wonderful Time Up There" by Pat Boone is a gospel-inspired piece that emphasizes the idea of an impending judgment day. Boone suggests that everyone will need to be prepared for this day and that the Lord is the only one who can guide us through it. He advises listeners to read their Bible, particularly the book of Revelations, to better understand what to expect on the judgment day. Boone warns his listeners to be ready for the reckoning that is coming and to make sure they have repented for their sins and turned their lives over to God.
The chorus "everybody's gonna have religion and glory, everybody's gonna be a singing that story, everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there" is a call to arms for listeners to prepare themselves for the day when we will all be called to account for our sins. Boone attempts to inspire his audience to change their ways in order to avoid a fateful entrance into the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
Well now everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everyone will eventually have faith and experience honor, acclaim, and happiness
Everybody's gonna be a singing that story
Everyone will be publicly proclaiming their faith
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Everyone will have a great time in heaven afterlife
Oh glory hallelujah
Praise the Lord!
Brother there's a reckoning a coming in the morning
Brother, a day of judgement is approaching, and it's inevitable
Better get ready cause I'm giving you the warning
Prepare for the day of judgement because I'm urging you to do so
Now listen everybody cause I'm talking to you
Everyone needs to pay attention to what I'm about to say
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
Only God can help you during difficult times
You better get ready cause I'm telling you why
It's important to prepare for the day of judgement, and I'm about to explain why
The Lord is a coming from his throne on high
God is going to return to judge us
Going down the valley going one by one
As judgement happens, each person will be examined separately
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
We will receive either rewards or punishment based on our actions
How you gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
What will your emotions be like when you hear what God has to say about your life?
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
Don't forget that the Bible is a good source of spiritual knowledge and guidance
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
If you're interested in what will happen in the future, go ahead and read the Book of Revelation
If you understand it and you can if you try
If you're willing to put in the effort, you can comprehend the meaning of the Book of Revelation
He said he's coming back again to raise the dead
Jesus promised to return to earth and resurrect the dead
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Will you be one of the few who are lucky enough to go to heaven?
Or will you make it through?
Can you handle living in a world where God reigns supreme?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEE ROY ABERNATHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alexandra Alberti
Everybody’s Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now listen, everybody 'cause I'm talkin' to you
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
Ya better get ready 'cause I'm tellin' ya why
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
Goin' down the valley, goin' one by one
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
How ya gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
If you understand it and you can if you try
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
a-readin' in the Bible 'bout the things he said
He said he's comin' back again to raise the dead
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Or will you make it through?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckon
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1958 {May 16th} "A Wonderful Time Up There"* by Pat Boone peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's National Music Express chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Who's Sorry Now" by Connie Francis...
Between 1955 and 1962 the Jacksonville, Florida native had twenty seven records on the U.K. Singles chart, twelve made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "I'll Be Home", for five weeks in June of 1956...
Patrick Charles Eugene Boone will celebrate his 86th birthday in two weeks on June 1st, 2020...
* Besides the above "A Wonderful Time Up There", he had three other records peak at #2 on the .K. Singles chart, "Don't Forbid Me" for five weeks in March of 1957, "Love Letter In The Sands" for seven non-consecutive weeks in August of 1957, and "Speedy Gonzales" for four weeks in August of 1962...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the U.K.'s Top 10 on May 16th, 1958:
At #3. "Whole Lotta Woman" by Marvin Rainwater
#4. "Lollipop" by The Mudlarks
#5. "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" by Elvis Presley
#6. "Tom Hark" by Elias and His Zigzag Flutes
#7. "The Grand Coolie Dam" by Lonnie Donegan
#8. "Swingin' Sheppard Blues" by Ted Heath and His Music
#9. "Lollipop" by The Chordettes
#10. "It's Too Soon To Know" by Pat Boone
spurnthemuse
At least you should care about the ones that are true. I think you have gotten stuck on the vocabulary.
What does it mean to "be in glory"? What is glory? The phrase has a meanin. See what I mean? It's too hard for you. Then you gave up. You should find out what it means. Why should you? Because how much do you want to suffer or not suffer? Not what folks say, but by seein it for yourself.
Is it true that all of those who will be in Glory will have religion at that time? It is possible for you to know this, if the Almighty One shows it to you.
Is a reckonin comin? [for example 9-11, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, AIDS]
Would you benefit by gettin ready? Is there any other to carry you through the times of temptation other than the Mighty one of Israel?
Lord has already come from his throne on high in 1971 and has been "raisin the dead" not from the earth but from a life of unconsciousness and mass hypnosis.
Are we goin to be rewarded for the things we've done? (Of course "the valley" is a metaphor).
How ARE you goin to feel, about the thins that he will say?
Can you understand the Book of the Revelation if you try?
Are you goin to be amon the chosen few?
Rahul Banerjee
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now listen, everybody 'cause I'm talkin' to you
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
Ya better get ready 'cause I'm tellin' ya why
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
Goin' down the valley, goin' one by one
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
How ya gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
If you understand it and you can if you try
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
A-readin' in the Bible 'bout the things he said
He said he's comin' back again to raise the dead
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Or will you make it through?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Kelly Hughart
I'm a born-again, Bible-believing, Christian woman, and this song makes me smile!
inTruthbyGrace
me too!
Nicole Mya
This was played at the end of my grandpas funeral to make everyone feel a bit happier ❤️
James Brent
Pat has always been one class act. This is one of his best songs ever.
Rory Jones
This was played 4 years ago today as my mom went to heaven. Couldnt have picked a better song. My mom sooooo loved Pat ❤❤
northern moose
One of my favorite Pat Boone songs.
Alexandra Alberti
Everybody’s Gonna Have a Wonderful Time Up There
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now listen, everybody 'cause I'm talkin' to you
The Lord is the only one to carry you through
Ya better get ready 'cause I'm tellin' ya why
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
Goin' down the valley, goin' one by one
We're gonna be rewarded for the things we've done
How ya gonna feel about the things you'll say on that judgment day?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Well, now, everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckonin' a-comin' in the mornin'
Better get ready 'cause I'm givin' you the warnin'
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Now ya get your Holy Bible in the back of the book
The book of Revelations is the place ya look
If you understand it and you can if you try
The Lord is a-comin' from his throne on high
a-readin' in the Bible 'bout the things he said
He said he's comin' back again to raise the dead
Are ya gonna be among the chosen few?
Or will you make it through?
Well-a, well-a, well-a
Everybody's gonna have religion and glory
Everybody's gonna be a-singin' that story
Everybody's gonna have a wonderful time up there
Oh, glory hallelujah
Brother, there's a reckon
Peter Connolly
This was one of my dads favourite songs. I hope he’s up there having a wonderful time....
Julie Smith
This is a great song and I am sure your dad is having a wonderful time up there so sorry for your loss
colkid Glen
We sang this in our school in the 50's, then Pat this great hit. I didn't realize it got to #2 & 4 on the charts.