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Songfacts: You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.
Written by songwriter Max Freedman, this song was intended for Haley, but industry politics kept him from recording the song. The original version was most likely recorded in October, 1953 by Sonny Dae and His Nights. It sank without a trace, but Haley finally recorded it in 1954 and the song became a massive hit. (thanks, Thunderclap - Sunshine Coast, Australia)
Most people didn't know what Rock And Roll was when this was released, so the record company had a hard time describing the song. The label on the single called it a "Novelty Foxtrot."
This was the original opening theme song for the TV show Happy Days. The song was re-released in 1974 to capitalize on its new popularity, and charted at #39 in the US. In 1976 theme was changed to "Happy Days." (thanks, Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for above 3)
The term "Rock 'n' Roll" was a relatively new way of describing music when this came out. A lot of early "Rock" was based on The Blues, and was far too racy for most white listeners. This was tame by Blues standards, but still caused a stir. It took Elvis to really shake things up.
This was one of the first hits of the Rock era. Billboard had been keeping a Top 40 chart for only a few months when this came out. It stayed at #1 for 8 weeks.
The group released this in 1954 as the B-side of a novelty song called "Thirteen Women," which was about an atomic blast that leaves only 1 man and 13 women alive. It wasn't until a year later that it was re-released and became a hit.
This was used in the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle, which gave it a great deal of exposure and helped send it up the charts. (thanks, chet - saratoga springs, NY)
In the UK, this was the biggest-selling single of the '50s.
Elton John took a swipe at this in his song "Crocodile Rock." Elton thought this was kind of overrated, so he put a line in about how they were doing the Crocodile Rock while the other kids were "Rocking 'round the clock."
Haley had several hits before recording this song, including "Shake, Rattle And Roll" and "Mambo Rock." He was never able to duplicate the massive success of "Rock Around The Clock," but he did have a few more hits in the '50s, including "See You Later, Alligator" and "The Saints Rock 'N Roll." Haley is a key figure in the evolution of Rock music, helping transform the sound out of Country music. Bill Haley and His Comets were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987.
According to Rolling Stone in their "100 Greatest Guitar Songs" issue, Comets guitarist Danny Cedrone was paid $21 for his work on this track, which became a classic Rock solo. Unfortunately, he died in a fall months after he recorded it. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)
There is a different snare drum pattern on each verse. (thanks, Greg - Barking, England)
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In 1958 The Kingsmen released an instrumental record titled "Week End", it peaked at No. 35; the Kingsmen were actually The Comets without Bill Haley!!!
- Barry, Sauquoit, NY
The last week that 'Rock Around the Clock' was No. 1 was the week of August 27th, 1955. It would then take 33 weeks before another rock 'n roll record would reach No.1 and it was Elvis who would do it. His "Heartbreak Hotel" made No. 1 on April 21st, 1956 and it stayed there for eight weeks.
- Barry, Sauquoit, NY
The song it knocked out of the No. 1 position was "Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White" by Perez Prado, which had been No. 1 for ten weeks. Haley held on to No. 1 for eight weeks and was replace by "The Yellow Rose of Texas" by Mitch Miller!!!
- Barry, Sauquoit, NY
this is my favourite song, i listen to it all the time on my ipod and when i do i cant help but dance!!!:)
- eugine, bangledesh, Bangladesh
i LOVE this song, it is so well played
and i love Bill Haley's dance moves, maybe he can teach me one day:) !!!!!!!
- timmy, london, United Kingdom
Keith: "Rock and roll" probably goes back to the early part of the 20th century as an Afro-American euphemism for 1) dancing 2) sex. It was also heard in some gospel contexts (e.g., charismatic dancing or holy rolling). White people began using it in the 1930s to refer to swing. Benny Goodman recorded a song with the words "rock and roll" in 1935. By the 1940s, R&B songs said "rock and roll" quite often. So it has been around a while, and both black and white listeners who were "hep" would have known what it meant when this song came out.
- Ekristheh, Halath, United States
love that jazz guitarist solo in the middle...
the sixteenths at the end..HARD! (busted my bejeebers trying repicate that on my guitar!
- steve dotstar, los angeles, CA
this friend of mine told me she danced in the aisle of theatre where the song was emanating from the movie Blackboard Jungle...a lot of teens were dancing in that aisle.
- steve dotstar, los angeles, CA
This song was produced by Milt Gabler, actor Billy Crystal's uncle.
- Paddy, Dublin, Ireland
Just to prove that you should take comments on this page with a grain of salt, Brian's comment about Haley marrying his pregnant girlfriend is utterly incorrect, although he did marry 3 times. Hampton did not write the song; it was written by Max Freedman, with James Myers (under his penname Jimmy DeKnight) claiming co-authorship as its publisher. Sonny Dae (a white artist) recorded the song first because Haley wasn't allowed to by the owner of his then-record label, Essex (per the books "Bill Haley" by John Swenson and "Rock Around the Clock" by Jim Dawson). To correct Sara, the Comets were named the Saddlemen, not Saddle Pals, and prior to that the Four Aces of Western Swing.
- Alex, Calgary, Canada
It is generally accepted by music historians that 'We're Gonna Rock Around The Clock Tonight!' was recorded by Sonny Dae & His Knights, circa October 1953. It was under the 'ARCADE' label, owned by Jack Howard, who died December, 1977. The B-Side was 'Moving Guitar', about which I cannot find the writer, date of recording,the performing artists,nor music publisher. This single was the only one ever released by Sonny Dae & His Knights. I wonder if any exist and how much one would be worth!
- Thunderclap, Sunshine Coast, Australia
I started playing Western Swing before rock'n'roll was invented, but when Bill Haley recorded Shake Rattle n' Roll, we immediately learned to play his music. I have been a Bill Haley fan every since. He is truly the "Father of Rock'N'Roll" even though, as previously mentioned, Elvis probably popularized the genre.
Butch
- Kenneth, Pencil Bluff, AR
I recently when to Branson MS and saw the Comets at Dick Clarks AB. If you go be sure to see the original Comets. What a show.
Stacy Starr, West Grove, Pa.
- Stacy starr, West Grove, PA
This group started out as Bill Haley and his saddle pals, a country music group.
- Sara, Greenville, AL
For years, this was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling rock song of all time (over 24 million sold).
- Garrett, Nashville, TN
I read that Alan Freed coined the word rock & roll, from the 1942 song of Wild Bill Moore "We´re Gonna Rock, We´re Gonna Roll".
By the way, I have an aquiantance called Dennis Montenegro that looks just like a young Alan Freed. He is the son of our most outstanding historian in popular culture here in Honduras.
- myrna maria, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
I work in a radio station that plays music from the 80´s and back, and one of my shows is dedicated to what we call "specials", a whole audition dedicated to a particular artist with his story and his music. Since I`m a sucker for rock, my special yesterday was on Bill Haley and the Comets and everybody loved it! I played his thirty best hits and talked about his not very happy life and his remarkable career. For me, Bill Haley is the genuine father of rock & roll.
- myrna maria, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
The Boswell Sisters recorded a song called "Rock And Roll" way back in 1934, twenty years before Bill Haley And The Comets recorded this one.
- David, Toronto, Canada
"Rock around the clock" is a sped up version of Hank Williams Sr.'s "Move it on over". This is admitted by Hank 3 and is just more proof on Seniors influence on music other than just country.
- William, Bellefonte, PA
To charlie, Thomaston, CT : If you get the possibility to see Bill Haley´s Original Comets in person, do it! I saw them a couple of years ago in Sweden and these guys are still the greatest. But make sure it is The Originals feat. Marshall Lytle and the rest of the 1951-55 line-up, as there are several groups billing themselves as Bill Haley´s Comets
- Ake, OSTERSUND, Sweden
thank you comets, i thank you for rock
- charlie, Thomaston, CT
The phrase "Rock and Roll" was coined by Alan Freed (the REAL King of Rock&Roll) in the early 1950s. Until the name caught on across the country, nobody had any idea what the song referred to. Dae and the Nights were ahead of themselves, expecting this to be a regional hit (it got airplay with Freed, of course), but they didn't have enough initial sales to go into full production on the record.
- Keith, SLC, UT
In 1954, Bill Haley married his pregnant girlfriend, just four days after he divorced his first wife.
- Brian, Funchal Madeira, Portugal
Song was written by (he claims) Lionel Hampton, mentioned by him in a TV interview.
- John, Waterloo, IA