Tag: Carol

One of many songs by Chuck Berry that helped defined Rock and Roll.  I first heard the song by the Rolling Stones as Keith Richards is a huge fan of Berry. The Beatles also covered the song live.

Berry’s assistant, Francine Gillium, told Berry about the High School that she worked at and helped him get in the right mindset to write these songs about teenagers. He mostly stayed away from politics and topical references in his songs…which is why many are relatable today.

Chuck Berry got the name Carol from the daughter of Clyde McPhatter’s girlfriend’s daughter. McPhatter was popular R&B singer who fronted The Drifters for a time.

The song peaked at #18 in the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 in the R&B Charts in 1958.

From Songfacts

This song is about a boy who must learn to dance or risk losing Carol to other men. He insists he will learn, and tempts her with a trip to a jumping little joint he knows about.

The Rolling Stones covered this on their first album in 1964. They were the first to bring this and many other R&B songs to a white audience.

The Beatles recorded this song for a BBC radio special in 1963. This recording was released in 1994 of on the Live At The BBC album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72_JQcup4ic

Carol

Oh Carol, don’t let him steal your heart away
I’m gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

Climb into my machine so we can cruise on out
I know a swingin’ little joint where we can jump and shout
It’s not too far back off the highway, not so long a ride
You park your car out in the open, you can walk inside
A little cutie takes your hat and you can thank her, ma’am
Every time you make the scene you find the joint is jammed

Oh Carol, don’t let him steal your heart away
I’m gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

And if you want to hear some music like the boys are playin’
Hold tight, pat your foot, don’t let ’em carry it away
Don’t let the heat overcome you when they play so loud
Oh, don’t the music intrigue you when they get a crowd
You can’t dance, I know you wish you could
I got my eyes on you baby, ’cause you dance so good

Oh Carol, don’t let him steal your heart away
I’m gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day

Don’t let him steal your heart away
I’ve got to learn to dance if it takes you all night and day
Oh Carol