Rock Around the Clock

Bill Haley & His Comets, Bill Haley

About Rock Around the Clock

"Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 for American Decca. It was a number one single on both the United States and United Kingdom charts and also reentered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s. It was not the first rock and roll record, nor was it the first successful record of the genre (Bill Haley had American chart success with "Crazy Man, Crazy" in 1953, and in 1954, "Shake, Rattle and Roll" sung by Big Joe Turner reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart). Haley's recording nevertheless became an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth and is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. The song is ranked No. 158 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. 


Year:
2001
2:11
57 

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One, two, three 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 tonight

Put your glad rags on and join me, hon'
We'll have some fun when the clock strikes one
We're gonna rock around the clock tonight
We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

When the clock strikes two, three 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, 'til broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

When 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, 'til broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

When 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, 'til broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

When 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, 'til broad daylight
We're gonna rock, gonna rock, around the clock tonight

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Bill Haley

William John Clifton "Bill" Haley ( /ˈheɪliː/; July 6, 1925 – February 9, 1981) was one of the first American rock and roll musicians. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets (inspired by Halley's Comet) and million selling hits such as, "Rock Around the Clock", "See You Later Alligator", and "Shake Rattle and Roll". He has sold over 100 million records worldwide. more »

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Written by: Max Freedman, James Myers

Lyrics © BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION, ROBERT W. CINQUE, ESQ.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Release Date
"Rock Around the Clock" was released as a single on May 10, 1954.
Pioneering Role
The song is often credited as being one of the pioneering songs of Rock and Roll.
Chart History
It was the first rock and roll song to reach No.1 on the Billboard charts in 1955.
Musicians
Bill Haley & His Comets was the band that recorded the song.
Record Sales
The song sold an estimated 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Authors
It was written by Max Freedman and James E. Myers (under the pseudonym Jimmy De Knight).
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
Iconic Introduction
The song’s introduction is instantly recognizable, a 12-bar blues progression played by Haley’s saxophonist, Joey Ambrose.
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1982, the original version of the record was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Movie soundtrack
"Rock Around the Clock" gained even more popularity after it was used as the opening theme of the 1955 film 'Blackboard Jungle.'
Rhythm & Blues Origins
Although it's considered a rock and roll song, the beat and rhythm structure of "Rock Around The Clock" is considered by many to be drawn from rhythm and blues.
National Recording Registry
In 2018, the song was selected for the preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant".
Longevity
Despite being released over 60 years ago, the song remains popular today; both in its original version and in the form of cover versions by modern artists.
Duration
The song is surprisingly short, with the original version lasting just over 2 minutes (2:08).
Music Video
Unlike many songs from the 1950s, an official music video was produced for "Rock Around the Clock", featuring Haley & His Comets performing the song.

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    Rock Around the Clock

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1974

    Billboard #39


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