Introduction
The iconic “Rock Around the Clock,” by Bill Haley & His Comets, isn’t just a catchy tune – it’s a cultural touchstone. But the song’s journey to rock and roll royalty wasn’t instantaneous.
Composed in 1952 by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (under the pen name Jimmy DeKnight), “Rock Around the Clock” was originally a jump blues tune titled “Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town).” However, upon landing in the hands of Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954, the song underwent a transformation. Haley, known for his energetic stage presence and rockabilly sound, injected the song with a driving beat and a focus on the infectious lyric “We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight!”
While “Rock Around the Clock” wasn’t Haley’s first chart-topper, it became his biggest hit in 1955. The song’s energetic sound resonated with a generation of teenagers yearning for a new kind of music. However, its true cultural impact came in 1956 with its inclusion in the film “Blackboard Jungle.” The scene featuring teenagers dancing wildly to “Rock Around the Clock” sent shockwaves through America, solidifying the song’s association with youthful rebellion and rock and roll’s rise as a cultural phenomenon.
Despite controversy surrounding its suggestive dance moves, “Rock Around the Clock” transcended borders and language barriers. It became the first rock and roll song to top the Billboard charts and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
So, crank up the volume and prepare to be transported back to a simpler time. Here comes Bill Haley & His Comets with the song that started it all – “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock!”