Randy

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Randy
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Par For The Course

Entertainment > Music > At the Hop!
 

At the Hop!


I have no idea what made me think of it, but yesterday I found myself singing the 1958 "classic" hit, "At the Hop", by Danny (Rapp) and the Juniors. Any of you old timers remember it?
I was about 15 years old when it became a huge record seller. It was # 1 for weeks, and still remains the #23 all time number one hit.  Danny and three of his Philadelphia Italian buddies made it to the big time. They were on American Bandstand over 60 times! (I watched it for the girls.)
Never a "rock and roll" fan (I was into jazz), I still listened to the music of the teen generation--mostly because it was ubiquitous. Plus, I wasn't totally rebellious. I had to keep my friends.
Okay, here's a stroll down memory lane:
Well, you can rock it, you can roll it,                                                 you can stop and you can stroll it,   at the Hop (hop hop)                 
When the record starts spinnin',                                                       You chalypso when you chicken,  at the Hop (hop hop)
Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation--at the Hop.
Let's go to the Hop,                                                                          Let's go to the Hop (oh baby),                                                         Let's go to the hop (oh baby),                                                           Let's go to the hop,                                                                             Ah, ah, let's go to the hop.
Well you can swing it, you can groove it,                                       You can really start to move it,  at the Hop (hop hop)                 
Where the jockey is the smoothest,                                               And the music is the coolest, at the Hop (hop hop)               
All the cats and chicks can get their kicks, at the Hop.  Let's go!
Let's go to the Hop, (and repeat as above)
The song really did swing. It had a little jazziness in it, so it appealed to me. If you've never heard it, I bet you can find it. That "chalypso when you chicken" line is a mystery to me.
Danny and the Juniors are still performing! I wonder if my high school Class of '61 can get them for our 50th reunion this coming September?!

posted on Feb 24, 2011 6:26 AM ()

Comments:

Does anyone remember the Teeny Wenny polka dot bikini? I was going through
my midlife crisis at the time and "Is This All There Is?" was right on the
money for me.
comment by elderjane on Feb 26, 2011 8:58 AM ()
The chicken, I think was a dance. I remember an older girl trying to teach me some older but fun dance steps when I was about 14.
comment by dragonflyby on Feb 25, 2011 8:00 AM ()
I thought the chicken came out later, but I don't really know. And I wonder if "chalypso" is the same as calypso? I took the lyrics as written.
reply by solitaire on Feb 26, 2011 5:38 AM ()
I was only seven but I remember it.
comment by nittineedles on Feb 24, 2011 7:45 PM ()
But a very mature seven! Hope all is well out your way.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:43 AM ()
Great memory.
comment by troutbend on Feb 24, 2011 12:36 PM ()
Really, I have a poor (selective) memory. I'm more of a future looking guy. I have no idea why I thought of this particular song.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:42 AM ()
your having a flash back
comment by fredo on Feb 24, 2011 9:10 AM ()
At our ages, there's a lot to flash back to! No harm.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:41 AM ()
I automatically tuned out most pop culture when I hit 16 so I don't remember this song. The songs I remember were from Ella and Frank and even Theresa (Brewer). The "songs" that succeeded these were, I thought, dumbed down.
comment by tealstar on Feb 24, 2011 7:45 AM ()
You mean 3 chord progression is "dumbing down"? I cringe at so-called musicians such as Fabian. I did like Bobby Darin, however. He did have talent, despite "Splish, Splash". "Beyond the Sea" is one of my all-time favorite songs. You had better check out "At the Hop", just for the fun of it.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:40 AM ()
I was busy at 22 to bother with 'pop' music--I was going to
Birdland,Bon Soir, the jazz clubs along 52nd street, being 'sophisticated as only a 22 year old can be--sneered at "At The Hop"--by the way it is on YouTube
comment by greatmartin on Feb 24, 2011 7:41 AM ()
Living out in the sticks as I did, TV and radio were my only links to civilization. I began my jazz collection (records) about that time. Hated most R&R.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:36 AM ()
I was seven years old in 1958 when this great hit hit Number One on the charts, but I remember it very well. My two older brothers (H.S. classes of 1959 and 1961) used to have dance parties in the basement rec room of our house with their high school pals, and this was one of their favorite tunes! Great memories!

Relive the original hit on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwCGW58DTE4
comment by marta on Feb 24, 2011 6:49 AM ()
I'd like to watch it again, but with dial-up, I really can't. Thanks for the link. I might try. Surprised you remember the song!
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:34 AM ()
Oh, Yes! I remember it very well. I came home from school every day and watched American Bandstand. I still remember some of the "regulars" who danced on the show.
comment by timetraveler on Feb 24, 2011 6:36 AM ()
I don't recall watching A.B. that frequently, but it sure was a popular show. And it remained popular for years and years.
reply by solitaire on Feb 25, 2011 5:32 AM ()
Note: The lyrics (in red) printed out much differently than I originally typed. Sorry. Hope you can figure it out.
comment by solitaire on Feb 24, 2011 6:35 AM ()

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