Born and raised in Pretty Water, Oklahoma, their parents sold the farm and cows to move to California so the two talented children could fulfill their show business destinies. Within a year, the two joined the cast of the weekly country music showcase on Los Angeles television in 1954.
The Collins Kids became regular performers on Town Hall Party in 1954 and on the syndicated for television version of the show, Tex Ritter's Ranch Party, which ran from 1957 to 1959. It was on Town Hall Party that Ricky Nelson first saw Lorrie Collins, and soon after they began dating. In a 1958 episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Lorrie played both Ricky's girlfriend - and that girlfriend's identical twin.
The Collins siblings continued to perform together in the mid-1960s, appearing as regulars on the Canadian music program Star Route and making a guest appearance on the 8 September 1965, edition of Shindig!. Many of their performances on Town Hall Party were released on DVD by Bear Family Records of Germany; a CD of their work on the show, Rockin' on T.V., was released in 1993 on the Krazy Kat label in Europe.
Larry wrote a number of well-known songs including "Delta Dawn", "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma", "Tulsa Turnaround"; some in partnership with songwriter Alexander Harvey.
The duo reunited for a rockabilly revival concert in England in 1993. They appeared at Deke Dickerson's Guitar Geek Festival in Anaheim, California, on 19 January 2008, with their nephew, Dakota Collins, playing upright bass as a new addition to the Collins band.
In 1959, when Lorrie was 17, she married Stu Carnall, who was Johnny Cash's manager and twice her age.
She is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Lorrie Collins died in 2018.
Party
The Collins Kids Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some people like to roll
But movin' and a-groovin'
Gonna satisfy my soul
Let's have a party
Woooo, let's have a party
Send 'im to the store
And let's buy some more
I've never kissed a bear
I've never kissed a goon
But I can shake a chicken
In the middle of the room
Let's have a party
Woooo, let's have a party
Send 'im to the store
And let's buy some more
And let's have a party tonigh
The Collins Kids's song, "Party," is a classic rockabilly track that showcases the duo's high-energy and playful style. The lyrics encourage listeners to let loose and have a good time, regardless of whether they prefer to rock or roll. The singer expresses their desire to move and groove to the music to satisfy their soul, and invites listeners to join in on the fun by having a party.
The chorus of the song, where the phrase "let's have a party" is repeated multiple times, serves as a rallying cry for people to come together and celebrate. The verses feature quirky and humorous lines such as "I've never kissed a bear, I've never kissed a goon, but I can shake a chicken in the middle of the room," which add to the playful and carefree vibe of the song. The final line, "send 'im to the store and let's buy some more," further emphasizes the idea of indulging in a night of celebration and excess.
Overall, "Party" embodies the spirit of rockabilly music and encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and have fun. For fans of The Collins Kids, and rockabilly enthusiasts in general, the song remains a beloved classic that continues to inspire and entertain.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people like to rock
There are individuals who enjoy a more up-tempo music style involving guitars and drums
Some people like to roll
Meanwhile, others prefer a slower, more relaxed pace in their music
But movin' and a-groovin'
However, I am content with whatever pace of music allows me to dance and move my body
Gonna satisfy my soul
It is through dancing and expressing myself that I find true inner happiness and fulfillment
Let's have a party
So, let's come together and enjoy each other's company through music and dancing
Woooo, let's have a party
Expressing my excitement and anticipation for a night of fun and joy
Send 'im to the store
Let's delegate someone to go to the store to purchase more food, drinks, or other supplies
And let's buy some more
We want to make sure there is enough for everyone to enjoy throughout the night
And let's have a party tonight
Let's make this happen tonight and have a great time together as a group
I've never kissed a bear
I've never done something strange or out of the ordinary
I've never kissed a goon
I've never kissed someone who is unsavory or unpleasant
But I can shake a chicken
However, I am quite skilled at dancing in a unique and entertaining fashion
In the middle of the room
I am willing and able to perform my dance moves in front of others, without a hint of shyness or hesitation
Contributed by Julian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bullslukaren
I'm only fourteen, but I'm goin' on fifteen
But I wanna be sixteen, so I can get me a hot rod
I want a streamline chassis, man it's gotta be classy
I' m gonna give it that certain touch
With a little bit of Von Dutch
I found a real cute baby, she's a real swingin' baby
And she says we'll go steady just
As soon as I get me a hot rod
I'm gonna take her for a moonlight drive
Across Mullholland Drive, then we'll really be alive
As soon as I get me a hot rod
With my baby sittin' close to me
We'll do a little draggin' don't you see
We'll even lay a path for you and me
As soon as I get me a hot rod
Yeah, I'm only fourteen, but I'm goin' on fifteen
But I wanna be sixteen, so I can get me a hot rod
Stephen Hardy
This is unreal. How were these kids not huge
itoldjaso
@shoknifeman2 mikado Also, "Western Ranch Party" and "Town Hall Party", the two shows that they were regulars on, were regional shows-----not east of the Mississippi
shoknifeman2 mikado
They had the misfortune of signing with a label that didn't know what to do with them. Said label was run, at the time, by Mitch Miller, who hated R&R and not only tried to countrify them (And take away all the energy of their live performances), which killed sales, but never took them seriously and forced them to record a series of "novelty" songs, that bombed in the market.
66bgrs
greatest rockabilly band ever wow what talent!
J Herrador
What can l say?
Jaw dropping!!!
10 out of ten & above!
Donald Ewert
I'm enjoying this in 2021, they were So Talented and way before I was born!!!
quieterrps
What a marvel! Love this tune...! Thx!
Johan Pedersen
Great music !
J Spann
Larry Collins was taught guitar by the great Joe Maphis.
ProudRockabillyRebel
Great! Hillbilly, Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly or whatever we can call this, it's great! And, as they would have said in the 50's: "Good, clean family entertainment!", maybe? Probably was deemed as the devil's music by some misguided people... ;)