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.
You've Got Another Thing Coming
Pat Boone Lyrics
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I'm takin' I said I'll never get enough
Stand tall I'm uh, young and kind of proud
I'm on the top, but as long as the music's loud
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
That's right here's where the talking ends
Well, listen, this night there'll be some action spent
Drive hard callin' all the shots
I got an ace card comin' down rocks
If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
If you think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Answer now and don't give in aim for a new tomorrow
Act tough ain't room for second best
Real strong got me some security
Hey, I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah!
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
If you think I'll let you go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing ahh
Comin' down!
If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
If you think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing ahh
Comin' down!
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
The lyrics of Pat Boone's song "You've Got Another Thing Coming" speak to the theme of living life to the fullest and not letting anyone hold you back. The first stanza sets the tone for this sentiment, with lyrics like "One life I'm gonna live it up" and "Stand tall I'm uh, young and kind of proud." The second stanza is more confrontational, with lines like "If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain" and "Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again." The final stanza offers a message of hope and resilience, encouraging listeners to "aim for a new tomorrow" and "go for infinity."
Line by Line Meaning
One life I'm gonna live it up
I plan to live life to the fullest
I'm takin' I said I'll never get enough
I am always pursuing more and never satisfied
Stand tall I'm uh, young and kind of proud
I am confident and proud of my youth and vitality
I'm on the top, but as long as the music's loud
I feel like I am on top of the world as long as the music is playing
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
If you expect me to be passive and let life pass me by, you are wrong
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
You are foolish to believe in a passive approach because you must take action or face the consequences
Out there is a fortune waiting to be had
There are opportunities for wealth and success to be seized
If you think I'll let you go you're mad
I will not let go of my pursuit of success and prosperity
You've got another thing comin'
You are mistaken and there will be a different outcome than expected
That's right here's where the talking ends
Now is the time for action; words are meaningless
Well, listen, this night there'll be some action spent
Tonight, I will put in the effort towards my goals
Drive hard callin' all the shots
I am in control and will exert all my effort towards success
I got an ace card comin' down rocks
I have a secret weapon that will lead to victory
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
I am serious and you should reconsider your expectations of me
In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Life is tough for everyone and we all experience suffering
Answer now and don't give in aim for a new tomorrow
Even in tough times, we must not give up and instead focus on a better future
Act tough ain't room for second best
I must be tough and strive for the best without settling for second place
Real strong got me some security
My strength gives me a sense of security
Hey, I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah!
I am already successful and will keep pushing for infinite success
You've got another thing ahh Comin' down!
Your expectations will not come true; there will be a different outcome
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind