Peak
18
Weeks
10
Score
1,243
Chart Year
1958
This song is about a boy who must learn to dance or risk losing Carol to other men. He insists he will learn, and tempts her with a trip to a jumping little joint he knows about. Berry was in his 30s when he was writing songs like this one about teenagers. His assistant, Francine Gillium, helped him get in the right mindset by telling him about a high school she looked after. Berry stayed away from politics and topical references in his songs, knowing that stories about the tribulations of young love would be evergreen. The Rolling Stones covered this on their first album in 1964. They were the first to bring this and many other R&B songs to a white audience. Chuck Berry got the name Carol from the daughter of Clyde McPhatter's girlfriend's daughter. McPhatter was popular R&B singer who fronted The Drifters for a time. >> The Beatles recorded this song for a BBC radio special in 1963. This recording was released in 1994 of on the Live At The BBC album.
Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day Climb into my machine so we can cruise on out I know a swingin' little joint where we can jump and shout It's not too far back off the highway, not so long a ride You park your car out in the open, you can walk inside A little cutie takes your hat and you can thank her, ma'am Every time you make the scene you find the joint is jammed Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day And if you want to hear some music like the boys are playin' Hold tight, pat your foot, don't let 'em carry it away Don't let the heat overcome you when they play so loud Oh, don't the music intrigue you when they get a crowd You can't dance, I know you wish you could I got my eyes on you baby, 'cause you dance so good Oh Carol, don't let him steal your heart away I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day Don't let him steal your heart away I've got to learn to dance if it takes you all night and day Oh Carol
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 25, 1958 | 57 | 69 |
| 2 | Sep 1, 1958 | 56 | 70 |
| 3 | Sep 8, 1958 | 52 | 74 |
| 4 | Sep 15, 1958 | 29 | 97 |
| 5 | Sep 22, 1958 | 23 | 103 |
| 6 | Sep 29, 1958 | 18 | 108 |
| 7 | Oct 6, 1958 | 19 | 107 |
| 8 | Oct 13, 1958 | 34 | 92 |
| 9 | Oct 20, 1958 | 54 | 72 |
| 10 | Oct 27, 1958 | 58 | 68 |