Luyện nghe bài hát All American Boy

Gather 'round cats and I'll tell you a
'bout how to become an Boy.
buy you a guitar and put it in tune
and you'll be a rockin and a soon.
Impressin the girls, hittin hot licks, and all jazz.
I bought me a guitar a year ago and I
Learned how to it in a day or so.
And all town it was well understood
that I was knocking 'em out Johnny B. Goode.
Hot licks, showing off, ah, one.
Well I practiced all day and up the night,
My hair was a gettin kinda white.
He didn't dig that,ah, and roll.
He said, "You can boy, but that's gotta go."
a square; just didn't dig me at all.
So I packed my guitar, picks and all, and I said to my poor old pa.
I split for Memphis where say 'you all'
And them swinging are a havin a ball.
Yeah, they love me down there, guitar and all.
I was rocking and and getting all the breaks,
And the girls all that I had what it takes,
up steps a man with a big cigar. He said. "Come here, kid.
I'm gonna you a star."
Put you on "Bandstand', buy you a cadillac. here, kid."
So I signed my name and became a star, having a ball my guitar.
Driving a big, long cadillac. And fighting the off'n my back.
But they keep a comin, screaming, they love it.
So I picked my with a great big grin
And the just kept on rollin in.
And then one day my Sam said (thump, thump, thump) "here I am!
Uncle Sam needs you, boy. Gimme guitar. Take this rifle. Yeahhhh - gonna cut your hair off... .

A letter from Don

Most of lyrics are on the money - I merely cleared up a few that you
apparently couldn't distinguish from the record. I backed Bobby with guitar on the original cut for All American Boy. I was playing in R&R band in Dayton, Ohio when one night Bobby and his manager showed up. They had a few beers, introduced themselves on a break and asked if we would be interested in backing on a novelty song about Elvis being drafted into the army. We practiced the song the next day, a Sunday, drove to Cincinatti on Monday, and cut the record in King Studios there. The third try was a take and became the song which became a hit. The band was given the option of taking a percentage of record sales, assuming it could be marketed and did well; or we could receive 'session fee', which was about $35.00/person. without exception the band members (all five of us) took the $35.00. You can imagine our surprise (and delight) to hear the song being played on the radio all over Ohio and the whole midwest.

The reason for the confusion re Bobby's name not appearing on the Fraternity label, who bought pressing and distribution rights, was that two weeks prior to the recording, Bobby, ironically, had been drafted and knew that he would not be able to promote the song by touring or personal appearances. His best friend, Bill Parsons, was allowed to assume Bobby's role, and Bill actually did record the flip side of AAB with a jazzed up version of Rubber Dolly. When the record hit, Bobby was in boot camp in the army, and I and the band (now called the "All American Boys") went on tour of the midwest with Bill Parsons, playing at small to venues in clubs and auditoriums from Detroit to St. Louis. But it could not be pulled off. Bill Parsons was no Bobby Bare and the we soon faded back into obscurity, playing at neighborhood bars in Dayton, Ohio. Bobby was a true-born, gifted singer and songwriter with the magic ability to be at one with an audience. He was truly one of a kind.

Don Powell (919) 280-6878 [email protected]
I will be happy to share any experiences and anecdotes re Bobby you should you desire. DGP