Sweet Little Sixteen

Chuck Berry

About Sweet Little Sixteen

"Sweet Little Sixteen" is a rock and roll song written and first recorded by Chuck Berry, who released it as a single in January 1958. His performance of it at that year's Newport Jazz Festival was included in the documentary film Jazz on a Summer's Day. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100, one of two of Berry's second-highest positions -- along with Johnny Rivers cover of "Memphis Tennessee" -- on that chart (surpassed only by his suggestive hit "My Ding-A-Ling", which reached number one in 1972). "Sweet Little Sixteen" also reached number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart. In the UK, it reached number 16 on the UK Official Charts. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song number 272 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004. He used the same melody on an earlier song, "The Little Girl From Central" recorded on Checkmate in 1955. 


Year:
2001
3:02
62 

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They're really rockin' Boston
In Pittsburgh, P. A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
And down in New Orleans
All the cats want to dance with
Sweet little sixteen

Sweet little sixteen
She's just got to have
About half a million
Framed autographs
Her wallet filled with pictures
She gets 'em one by one
Become so excited
Watch her, look at her run

Oh mommy mommy
Please may I go
It's such a sight to see
Somebody steal the show
Oh daddy daddy
I beg of you
Whisper to mommy
It's all right with you

'Cause they'll be rockin' on Bandstand
In Philadelphia P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats want to dance with
Sweet little sixteen

'Cause they'll be rockin' on Bandstand
Philadelphia P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats want to dance with
Sweet little sixteen

Sweet little sixteen
She's got the grown up blues
Tight dresses and lipstick
She's sportin' high heel shoes
Oh, but tomorrow morning
She'll have to change her trend
And be sweet sixteen
And back in class again

Well they'll be rockin' Boston
Pittsburgh, P. A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And 'round the Frisco Bay
Way out in St. Louis
Way down to New Orleans
All the cats want to dance with
Sweet little sixteen

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Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), Chuck Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music. more »

1 fan

Written by: Chuck Berry

Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Sweet Little Sixteen" is classified under the Rock and Roll genre - one of the most iconic styles that Chuck Berry was known for.
Released Date
The song was released in January 1958, making it one of the classics from the 1950s era of music.
Chart Performance
"Sweet Little Sixteen" became Chuck Berry's second-highest-charting single—peaking at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Inspired Creation
The song was alleged to be inspired by an underage girl who wrote to him while he was in prison, expressing her wish to meet him when he was released.
Cover Versions
The song was widely covered by various artists such as Jerry Lee Lewis, John Lennon, and The Beatles - showing its universal appeal and longevity in the music industry.
Lifespan On Charts
Remarkably, "Sweet Little Sixteen" managed to stay on US Billboard chart for a total of eighteen weeks.
Song Writing
The song was written by Chuck Berry himself, showcasing his talent as both a performing artist and a songwriter.
Influence
The song had a major influence on the music industry and was instrumental in defining the sound of rock 'n' roll. The Beach Boys used the melody of this song for their hit "Surfin' U.S.A."
Grammy Hall of Fame
"Sweet Little Sixteen" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance."
Song Theme
The song paints a picture of a fan fervor for rock and roll, with mention of cities across North America where teenagers would be dancing to the rock and roll music.
Live Performance and Recordings
A live recording of the song, from the 1963 concert album "Live at the Tivoli," was a No.3 UK hit in 1972.

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