Some familiar names topped the Billboard Hot 100 on the weekend of January 24, 1955: Dean Martin with ‘Memories Are Made of This,‘ The Platters with ‘The Great Pretender,’ and Tennessee Ernie Ford with ‘Sixteen Tons.’
At #4 that week, on its way to a 4-week stint at #1, was the novelty track ‘Rock and Roll Waltz’ by vocalist Kay Starr. The track, written by Shorty Allen and Roy Alfred, depicts the singer coming home to find her parents dancing (a waltz, naturally) to her rock and roll records.
It’s funny to think that teens who saw their parents as hopelessly out of touch in 1955 are in their mid-80s now. When they were giggling to this song, they felt as carefree and invincible as teenagers of every era do. And 40 years ago they were doing the twist to a rap song.
Slipped out of my shoes at the door
Then from the front room, I heard a jump tune
I looked in and here’s what I saw
There in the night was a wonderful scene
Mom was dancing with Dad to my record machine
And while they danced, only one thing was wrong
They were trying to waltz to a rock and roll song
One, two and then rock
One, two and then roll
They did the rock and roll waltz
Rock, two, three, roll, two, three
It looked so cute to me
I love the rock and roll waltz
One, two and then rock
One, two and then roll
One, two and then jump
It’s good for your soul
It’s old but it’s new
Let’s do the rock and roll waltz
There in the night was a wonderful scene
Mom was dancing with Dad to my record machine
And while they danced, only one thing was wrong
They were trying to waltz to a rock and roll song
One, two and then rock
One, two and then roll
One, two and then jump
It’s good for your soul
It’s old but it’s new
Let’s do the rock and roll waltz
Let’s do the rock and roll waltz
Meet Me In Montauk 