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.
When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano
Pat Boone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
The song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" by Pat Boone was written in 1940 by Leon René. The song was inspired by the annual migration of swallows to the Mission San Juan Capistrano, a historic landmark and a former Catholic mission located in southern California. According to folklore, the swallows leave Capistrano on St. Joseph's Day, March 19th, and return on October 23rd, a date celebrated as "Return of the Swallows Day" in the town.
The lyrics of the song reflect on a lost love and a promised reunion, symbolized by the return of the swallows to Capistrano. The singer of the song longs for the return of a lover who left on the day the swallows flew away, whispering "Farewell" in Capistrano. The return of the swallows is imagined as a joyful occasion, marked by the ringing of mission bells and the singing of chapel choirs. The chorus repeats a hopeful refrain, expressing the desire for the loved one to come back when the swallows return to Capistrano.
The song became a hit for Pat Boone in 1957 and has since been covered by numerous artists. It has become a quintessential example of a romantic ballad and a folk-inspired song of California. Its enduring popularity and timeless appeal have made it a beloved classic of American popular music.
Line by Line Meaning
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
The return of the swallows to Capistrano signals the day you promised to come back to me.
That's the day you promised to come back to me
The day the swallows come back to Capistrano is the day you promised to return to me.
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
The day the swallow flew out to sea was the day you said goodbye in Capistrano.
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
The day you said farewell in Capistrano was the day the swallow flew out to sea.
All the mission bells will ring
The sound of all the mission bells ringing will fill the air.
The chapel choir will sing
The chapel choir will add to the joyful noise.
The happiness you'll bring
Your return will bring great happiness.
Will live in my memory
The memories of your return will stay with me forever.
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
I hope and pray that the day the swallows return to Capistrano is the day you come back to me.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: LEON T. RENE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheHehe1223
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day you promised to come back to me
When you whispered, "Farewell", in Capistrano
Twas the day the swallow flew out to sea
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
All the mission bells will ring
The chapel choir will sing
The happiness you'll bring
Will live in my memory
When the swallows come back to Capistrano
That's the day I pray that you'll come back to me
@bettytoh9088
Pat Boone brings me back to my teen age years when he was a very popular singer. Those good old days when life was simple , peaceful and beautiful.
@appledecena1218
My favorite song of Pat Boone during my teen yrs.,until now at my 77 yeras old.
@edithannsleight5652
Brings back lovely memories of the 50s long days gone by this is what we need now soothing wonderful music
@lynneddy41
On my birthday, March 19th every year! Will never forget my trip to the mission in California to see them for myself! Lovely song for a lovely place.
@delydemata1130
After 50yrs the music is still there and always playing.,
@oscarfernandez5807
Nostalgic! That sweet velvety voice of pat Boone brings back good memories of days gone by.
@hanspetersteurer1125
Eine wunderbare Stimme,,wie gut das man die Lieder hier hören kann.Die Zeit war rückblickend schön,da gab s noch Sänger die Stimme hatten.
@jongsuyi5133
so good&very sweet song by pat boone. Wonderful music!
@reynaldonacu7298
Throwback those great music of the 50's😁😁
@kermeey
Brings back so many wonderful memories from the 50s