About the Song
If you’re looking for the song that truly heralded the arrival of rock & roll, look no further than “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets. Released in 1954, this electrifying tune wasn’t just a catchy hit – it became a cultural phenomenon, igniting a musical revolution that continues to shape popular music today.
Bill Haley, a veteran musician with a background in country and western swing, wasn’t aiming to start a revolution. But with “Rock Around the Clock”, he stumbled upon a sound that resonated with a generation yearning for something new and exciting. The song’s driving rhythm, courtesy of a thumping bass line and Frankie Beecher’s searing saxophone, pulsed with an infectious energy that was impossible to ignore.
The lyrics, though seemingly simple on the surface (“We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight!”), spoke to a youthful rebellion against the established musical order. The song celebrated dancing and having a good time, a stark contrast to the more sentimental ballads that dominated the charts at the time.
Bill Haley & His Comets’ energetic performance on the recording was equally important. Unlike the polished crooners of the era, Haley and his band exuded a raw, almost chaotic energy that resonated with young audiences. Their music wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and it captured the spirit of a generation eager to break free from societal constraints.
The impact of “Rock Around the Clock” was undeniable. The song became a runaway hit, topping the charts in both the US and UK. Even more importantly, it opened the door for a new wave of rock & roll artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard.
“Rock Around the Clock” wasn’t just a song; it was a cultural touchstone. It ushered in a new era of music that would forever change the landscape of popular culture. Even today, the song’s infectious energy and rebellious spirit continue to inspire musicians and fans alike, solidifying its place as a true rock & roll anthem.
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Lyrics: Rock Around the Clock
One, two, tree o’clock, four o’clock rock
Five, six, seven o’clock, eight o’clock rock
Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock rock
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonightPut your glad rags on, join me, hon
We’ll have some fun while the clock strikes one
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock ’till broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonightWhen the clock strikes two or tree and four
If the band slows down we’ll yell for more
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock ’till broad daylight
We’re gonna rock gonna rock around the clock tonightWhen the chimes ring five, six and seven
We’ll be right in seventh heaven
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’till broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonightWhen it’s eight, nine, ten, eleven too
I’ll be goin’ strong and so will you
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’till broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonightWhen the clock strikes twelve, we’ll cool off then
Start a rockin’ round the clock again
We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight
We’re gonna rock, rock, rock, ’till broad daylight
We’re gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight