About the song
“Sweet Little Sixteen” is a quintessential rock and roll track penned and initially recorded by the legendary Chuck Berry, who first released it as a single in January 1958. This iconic song not only exemplifies Berry’s innovative style but also captures the spirit of an era defined by youthful exuberance and emerging rock sounds. Berry’s electrifying performance of “Sweet Little Sixteen” at the Newport Jazz Festival of the same year was immortalized in the documentary film *Jazz on a Summer’s Day*, showcasing his dynamic stage presence and the song’s infectious energy.
The track made a significant impact on the charts, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, a position it shared with another of Berry’s popular hits, Johnny Rivers’ cover of “Memphis, Tennessee.” Remarkably, “Sweet Little Sixteen” was one of Berry’s two highest-charting songs, with only “My Ding-A-Ling” achieving a higher rank by reaching number one in 1972. Additionally, the song claimed the top spot on the R&B Best Sellers chart, further cementing its place in music history. In the UK, it earned a respectable number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s enduring legacy was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine, which ranked it at number 272 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004.
Interestingly, Chuck Berry utilized the same melody for a prior song, “The Little Girl From Central,” which was recorded in 1955. This shows Berry’s knack for crafting memorable tunes that could be repurposed and enjoyed in various forms.
The influence of “Sweet Little Sixteen” extended beyond Berry’s own discography. The Beach Boys’ 1963 hit “Surfin’ U.S.A.” famously adapted Berry’s melody, with Brian Wilson providing new lyrics. Despite the controversy and legal pressure surrounding the song’s copyright, the Beach Boys’ rendition further underscores the enduring impact of Berry’s original composition.
Video
Lyrics
They’re really rockin’ in Boston
In Pittsburgh, P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And ’round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
And down in New Orleans
All the cats are gonna dance with
Sweet Little Sixteen
Sweet Little Sixteen
She’s just got to have
About half a million
Framed autographs
Her wallet’s filled with pictures
She gets ’em one by one
Become so excited
Watch her look at her run, boy
Oh, mommy, mommy
Please, may I go?
It’s such a sight to see
Somebody steal the show
Oh, daddy, daddy
I beg of you
Whisper to mommy
It’s all right with you
‘Cause they’ll be rockin’ on Bandstand
In Philadelphia, P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And ’round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats wanna dance with
Sweet Little Sixteen
‘Cause they’ll be rockin’ on Bandstand
In Philadelphia, P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And ’round the Frisco Bay
All over St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats wanna dance with, oo!
Sweet Little Sixteen
Sweet Little Sixteen
She’s got the grown-up blues
Tight dresses and lipstick
She sportin’ high heeled shoes
Oh, but tomorrow morning
She’ll have to change her trend
And be sweet sixteen
And back in class again
But they’ll be rockin’ in Boston
In Pittsburgh, P.A.
Deep in the heart of Texas
And ’round the Frisco Bay
Way out in St. Louis
Way down in New Orleans
All the cats wanna dance with
Sweet Little Sixteen