About the song
**”Sweet Little Sixteen”** is a classic rock and roll song penned and recorded by Chuck Berry, first released in January 1958. The song was a major hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, a position it shares with Berry’s own “Johnny Rivers” cover of “Memphis, Tennessee.” It also achieved the top spot on the R&B Best Sellers chart. In the UK, it climbed to number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stone magazine later ranked “Sweet Little Sixteen” at number 272 on its list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” in 2004, highlighting its enduring appeal.
The song was recorded over two days in December 1957, featuring Chuck Berry on vocals and guitar, Lafayette Leake on piano, Willie Dixon on bass, and Fred Below on drums. The melody of “Sweet Little Sixteen” was notably used again by Berry in an earlier song, “The Little Girl From Central,” recorded in 1955.
“Sweet Little Sixteen” also left a significant mark on other artists. The Beach Boys’ 1963 hit “Surfin’ U.S.A.” borrowed its melody from Berry’s song. This led to a copyright dispute, with Berry’s publisher eventually receiving credit. The Beatles recorded a version of “Sweet Little Sixteen” for their Pop Go the Beatles radio show on July 10, 1963, though this recording remained unreleased until the 1994 album *Live at the BBC*.
In 1975, John Lennon included a cover of “Sweet Little Sixteen” on his album *Rock ‘n’ Roll*. Produced by Phil Spector, Lennon’s version slowed down the tempo and infused it with a bluesier, more emotional touch. A year later, Paul McCartney also recorded a version of the song, showcasing its lasting influence on rock and roll music.
Overall, “Sweet Little Sixteen” is celebrated for its vibrant energy and significant impact on both rock and roll and popular music.
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