About the song
Background
- Release: The song was originally released in 1956 and became one of Little Richard’s signature hits. It’s a pure rock ‘n’ roll classic.
- Energy and Excitement: Little Richard was a pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll and known for his wild stage presence, high-energy vocals, and flamboyant piano playing. “All Around the World” embodies that perfectly.
- Influence: The song helped establish the raw, untamed sound of rock ‘n’ roll and heavily influenced many artists who came after Little Richard.
Themes
- The Spread of Rock ‘n’ Roll: The central theme is the infectious nature of rock ‘n’ roll music and its unstoppable global reach. It’s a celebration of how this new music style is taking the world by storm.
- Dance Culture: The lyrics focus on the power of rock ‘n’ roll to get people dancing, shouting, and having a wild time.
- Breaking Barriers: There’s a sense of liberation and breaking down boundaries. The song suggests that rock ‘n’ roll is a unifying force that brings people together regardless of their background
Lyrics
The lyrics are simple but effective, full of catchy phrases and Little Richard’s signature vocalizations:
- Repetition: The phrase “All around the world” is repeated constantly, emphasizing the global spread of rock ‘n’ roll.
- Jukeboxes: Jukeboxes are seen as symbols of the wide accessibility of this music.
- Dance Moves: References to dances like the ‘Baja’ and shimmying add to the image of people letting loose.
- “Go, Cat, Go”: This phrase is pure Little Richard, a playful exclamation of energy and excitement.
Legacy
“All Around the World” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural artifact of early rock ‘n’ roll. It captures the spirit and sound of a musical revolution that changed the world.
Video
Lyrics
All around the worldRock and roll is all they playAll around the worldRock and roll is all they playYou can hear those jukebox jumpin’All night and all through the day
All the flat top catsWith their rock & roll queensJust a rockin’ & rollin’In their red and blue jeans
All around the worldRock and roll is here to stayYou can hear those jukebox jumpin’All night and all through the day
Ain’t never no time for romanceThey only wanna danceThe people all holla when they hit that floorGo, cat, go
All around the worldRock and roll is here to stayYou can hear those jukebox jumpin’All night and all through the day
They do the BahaThe Texas hopShim sham shimmyAnd they never, never stop
All around the worldRock and roll is here to stayYou can hear those jukebox jumpin’All night and all through the day
Never no time for romanceThey only wanna danceThe people all holla when they hit that floorGo, cat, go
All around the worldRock and roll is here to stayYou can hear those jukebox jumpin’All night and all through the day