Bobby Freeman "Do You Wanna Dance" (1958)

[@phyllisspellman335]

It was 1958 people... Lots of other people covered this song. I just hope he got his royalties. He passed away this year in January 2017. RIP.

[@laminage]

Yes but keep in mind that it was still very hard for Blacks to get on TV. He was probably told to do it. Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys (1944-1983) sang lead on this Song on Shindig before Brian had his Nervous Breakdown. He did a really good job too. In those days it was a common practice to cover songs as Filler to fulfill an album contract to have certain amount of songs on the album.

[@1mattadams]

You’re exactly right Phyllis. And let’s not forget this is not too far removed from the era of Vaudeville. Thankyou for your post.

[@beverlykorte8581]

Thanks u ✌🏻👍🏼👌💕🌹🙏

[@ezerlenewatkins9644]

Was the elephant to distract from him being black then? They would rather have the circus than a black performer?

[@rocknroll_jezus9233]

The Del Shannon and Ramones versions are just perfect. As is this original

[@jayjay331]

RIP, Bobby loved your music..

[@rockyruane9379]

This is HORRIFIC

[@Felipe-u8p]

@@rockyruane9379 the music is good but you right the scene it's really sad to see

[@idathomas7404]

Ridiculous set up, but it was 1958. Bobby you sound great. Love that song. ❤

[@westabrook9471]

just saw an interview by grateful dead bassist phil lesh. he said that the guitar player on this record is the indescribable jerry garcia. Could be the earliest recording of ol jer out there and im sure many dead heads dont even know. Jerry would have been 16 years old which also blows my mind!

[@jebstewart666]

interesting as i couldn't find the phil interview, but i did find this article which points out that jerry did not play on this song, but did play on other bobby songs: bestclassicbands.com/singer-bobby-freeman-obituary-1-30-17/

[@janetthomson642]

I prefer this song by Cliff Richard and The Shadows.

[@rocknroll_jezus9233]

On Wikipedia that's denounced so idk what's true

[@michaelmckenna6464]

Great musicians have to start somewhere, often as an anonymous session musician who performs on a record for some pocket money. Neal Sedaka got his start on the small Melba label, playing the chimes in “Church Bella mat Ring” by the Willows. Jimi Hendrix was employed by Little Richard in the early 1960s.

[@46susie]

love this song !!! American graffti Fan !! thanks Bobby freeman u were so Handsome !!!!

[@AdrumaVictoria16]

Bobby and the elephant both brilliant, seeking a better life in a constrained reality.

[@beverlykorte8581]

Agree 💜💜💜🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏼💕✌🏼

[@WyattScott]

Yeah, it's actually very disturbing watching this, fuckin' racist USA, still racist as fuck.

[@victornuti5983]

RIP Bobby. I wished they stil made music like this today.

[@josephkane3215]

One of the Very Best tunes of 1958 as it is by Bobby Freeman with Do You Wanna Dance

[@rockyruane9379]

This is HORRIFIC

[@polster56]

Great RnR I broght the Original 45 in 1991 in New Jersey . And since a have these, i like his Musik !

[@sjb8849]

Look for Bobby's "Need Your Love" (late 1958). It's one of his best.

[@josephkane4753]

This is Bobby Freeman's Biggest selling single as it is Called Do You Wanna Dance from 1958 just missed going to No1 in The U-S got to No2 in the U-S Singles Chart

[@steveroberts8719]

RIP Bobby. You were the best and your songs live on.

[@rockyruane9379]

lol the best

[@zenglider2145]

LOLOL sure he was.

[@dianestone6076]

i liked Dick Clark..had good personality..great.guests..made day when i was a young teenager!! rip Dick clark !!

[@funboy1853]

Sjcdc CO. ☝️

[@ahmenra2158]

,1940-1960 black American singers endure some of the most racist people and nothing has changed sad world we live in ...

[@will89687]

RIP Bobby Freeman

[@MrLa1983]

Doo wop of 50s early 60s was some best romantic love songs ever better than R&b love songs of today

[@joycemartin7516]

It’s 9/12/24 in Austin, Tx! Great song and singer! I’m 75 and still rockin to the ladies today🥳🎶

[@jimharris4734]

I am quitting at minute 3:05...just can't take anymore of this DISGRACE!!! WHY did they do that ti him? WHAT did he do to DESERVE this??? They REALLY abused artists back then!!! I'm a black man, but I am NOT hung up on race at all. But I gotta say - they would NOThave done that to a WHITE gentleman! DESPICABLE! Can't watch anymore!

[@blitzmagazine5649]

And once again, Dick Clark's audience spoils a perfectly good performance by clapping on the one and the three instead of the two and the four. Bobby's great here, theatrics, props and elephant aside. Nice intro by Tony Randall, too.

[@abj99861]

The house mikes were live for audience reaction.....once again another stupid comment from someone who never watched the show.

[@rockyruane9379]

This is HORRIFIC

[@ronniechilds2002]

Well, some of them were. It looks to me like a lot of them were clapping along with a different song altogether, with a completely different tempo and everything else.

[@zenglider2145]

like the 'fill-in' beat as the guy next to me said when I clapped on the up-beat to see if he would pick-up on it

[@alanmitchell4651]

As Prince once sang, "All the white people clap your hands on the four, now..."

[@squeakystool]

I don't know who I feel sorry for the most, Bobby or the elephant.

[@jimharris4734]

LOL...how about that?

[@AlanSmith-ym8pj]

Lighten up Better than today's shit

[@Bongaboi151]

Neither! The 500-kg gorilla sitting backstage!!!!! #fakenews

[@Glendetta]

Such a SWEET SWEET elephant !!!!

[@srtjhsrzdfhkgdf9961]

大好きな歌なので聴けてよかったです！ありがとうございます。観られてよかったです！

[@sharonreeves2949]

poor chap, who on earth thought up this crazy presentation for him? thank heaven it didn't put him off for life lol

[@donaldperrotta8514]

That’s some situation that they put him in to sing such a rock n roll classic !!!

[@AllBobsAllTheTime]

Hammer Time 50s-style!!!

[@DetroitLives313]

Rest in peace Bobby. Jan. 23, 2017

[@bipolarvortex]

The elephant is a better dancer than I am.

[@michaelmontano4280]

I first heard this song in a 1950s rock and roll compilation.

[@alheitzer2438]

Yes, and a high school kid who already had been immersed into the music scene with his West Coast vocal group, The Romancers, nearly four years!

[@luigiperfetti5928]

Thanks for your memories Bobby, may you rest in peace ever... and God bless San Francisco..... our home.....

[@stobbi38]

Loved both The Ramones' and T. Rex's Version, now I'm here - thanks youtube!

[@rorywhite8458]

Super record bought in 1958. Still sounds great. No need for nasty comments. RIP

[@vintagesavoiur]

Rory White agreed, always someone has to start crap about race, nothing racist about playing a character which chose to his gig

[@rolandoaponte214]

Now I realize why the tempo of the song is much faster than in the record. Bobby wanted to get out of this ridiculous, humiliating misery as soon as possible!

[@ALLEYOOP77]

Blatant industry racism of the 1950's

[@sjb8849]

Wrong. That whole show was circus themed. All of the acts were dressed accordingly and had similar circus interactions. And Bobby was one of the most respected and admired performers of the 1950's and the 1960's. Nobody was attempting to demean him with this show. (It's also interesting to see that the elephant was heading toward the audience and Bobby was blocking it with his body, pushing it backward onto the stage.)

[@ezerlenewatkins9644]

Oh now the whole show was a circus theme. Um hm ok.

[@michaelmckenna6464]

@@ezerlenewatkins9644 “American Bandstand” often used a different theme and the guest performers had to dress accordingly. When The Skyliners appeared, the show ran on a “western” theme so they all had to dress like they were appearing on “Gun smoke”. (That performance can also be found on KZbin.) It looks silly today but that’s how it was back then.

[@lonelycubicle]

@@sjb8849 Was wondering how safe that was

[@paulashahan4142]

Love his voice and the song.

[@doctorinsomnia5410]

The guitar solo is by a then unknown teenager named Jerry Garcia...

[@Felipe-u8p]

@James stop!

[@zplauderdalemenace3387]

I’m 28 and I love this song fasho

[@gracielasantana]

I was only 8 years old when this song was played on the radio I just ♥️ R&R and My Mom let me watch American Bandstand Music wise the 50’s Were Awesome! RIHP BF i didn’t know he had passed.🥲 I also liked “Betty Lou Got a New pair of Shoes” & Come on and Swim 1964. Great Voice!🎤♥️🌹⭐️

[@louisevad6091]

Great to see these old clips

[@Felipe-u8p]

Man this clip it's very sad to see

[@Felipe-u8p]

@GhostlyJordy you not see the poor bobby here it's terrible, the humiliation, the 50s really bad time for black people.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Wow, I'm speechless!

[@elramondo8232]

I used to play this record All the time when I was young.

[@gracielasantana]

I was only 8 years old when this song was played on the radio I just ♥️ R&R and My Mom let me watch American Bandstand Music wise the 50’s Were Awesome! RIHP BF i didn’t know he had passed.🥲 I also liked “Come on and Swim” 1964 after that never heard about him. 🌹🎼🎤⭐️

[@godscountry6473]

Man, what a getup. That must've been humiliating for Bobby, and that poor elephant.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Arr clapping to both the melody and the beat, can't beat it.

[@lindabrown7374]

Wonder what Bobby thought about sharing the stage with the adorable elephant.

[@karenfreund5098]

I like the way he dances to it.

[@ejkpoet3461]

Dick Clark, least racist guy in the 50's, fought hard to keep black acts on his stage. Although, what a bizarre performance

[@andymooney]

So true. Very bizarre. He was dressed like a lawn jockey.

[@Deontjie]

And a lot if whitish people applauding. America was less racist back in the day.

[@Katy-ye1zr]

! sure is. ..and that elephant goosing him, They must've been onsite at a circus with many acts coming on, different stages perhaps, music etc and this was some of it filmed for dick clark show that day

[@1mattadams]

Same with Alan Freed.

[@1mattadams]

@@Deontjie the kids are all right. Cheers!

[@stephentischer4456]

Dressing the great Bobby Freeman as a ring master and having him dance with an elephant, who was the Einstein who conceived that? The hoops Bobby had to jump through to appear on network TV. The man's terrific pipes alone should have paved the way for that without any humiliating gimmicks forced on Bobby,

[@qtpysusie54]

Rest in peace and . . . thanks!

[@richardmorales4971]

So much fuckin style.

[@neilbolton158]

love this

[@pagmann7412]

R.I.P. Mr. Freeman.

[@Tricker-the-licker]

Bobby Freeman is a legend. Rest in peace x.

[@melodysanger103]

Remembering Robert "Bobby" Freeman (June 13, 1940 - January 23, 2017) [06/13/2020]

[@vetb882]

Wow, thanks for the info Al, keep on rocking bro. :-D

[@gli7utubeo]

You just can't turn away from this video.

[@MrMaxonian206]

Great record

[@tracyraley4003]

So sad.

[@SpeegBJ]

I've never seen Tony Randall in profile and a most unlikely 'friendship' of Freeman and Randall, indeed.

[@JohnDoe-zv1kv]

Jesus people. Stop looking at this through a racist biased lens. It was the 1950s (ignore race). A singer performs at a circus. Sings the song "Do you wanna dance." Wouldn't it be cute to have him dance with a baby animal? The (white) crowd loves it. Pay attention to how the crowd cheers when he is introduced at 1:20 and 1:45. He is respected and this is a cute bit.

[@kirbylee57]

+John Doe I didn't see a racist comment. Are you sure you didn't instantly assume people were being racist, just because it was a black guy?

[@sugafoot820]

like hell this was not racist nothing cute about it

[@badenais]

Yeah, the year justified you being a piece a shit. Fuck you !

[@QueenAnitaSoul]

What are you talkin about

[@QueenAnitaSoul]

To a lot of us black people this is considered racism put a black man dancing with an elephant really

[@Lamarhuffstutler]

RIP Bobby

[@jpozenel]

And now, for something completely different!

[@louisevad6091]

People that have them realize they need to put them out for everyone to enjoy. So many videos so little time.

[@monkeySkeptic]

Were the ringmaster costume and elephant a reference to something that audiences would have understood at the time? It doesn't have anything to do with the lyrics of the song, and I'm just confused.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

R.i.P. Bobby.

[@oslem2151]

God times. .Rest in Peace. BF. .....🌷

[@isaach5489]

Poor Elephant

[@sandsoftime1954]

Yep I've to admit that costume was mighty ridiculous . (poor Bobby) but you can't help remember this performance forever. His music was top self as far as I was concerned.

[@thewonderfulworldofderek6087]

I love history

[@mph1ish]

Why is Tony Randall in uniform?

[@southlondon63]

Love watching this cos my late dad was called Dick Clark, apart from that a great insight into music In years gone by which l love👍

[@tinaleebear1]

I'm so in love!

[@KEEPONROCKINKID]

Elvis Presley dressed in a top hat, white tie and tails singing to a hound dog on the Steve Allen TV Show was farcical. This is even worse,,,, PS.. Thanks for uploading this piece of...................... Rock n Roll history

[@VictoriaEatingCake]

Why did they dress him like that?! you can see him struggling with the demeaning staging. And that poor elephant! they both got treaated like trained circus animals. Still. Great song,

[@charlescox819]

There were a lot of strange things on TV back then, remember, those were the pioneer days. I will say, this was rather bizarre. But I love the song, and Bobby Freeman was a class act. Does anyone know why the crowd was clapping in that particular way during the song? Just curious, thx.

[@willyounts3308]

looks likesome people are clapping on the downbeat "1 and 3" and others are clapping on "2 and 4" making it sound like it's on all 4 beats, which is definitely a weird way to clap along to a song.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@willyounts3308 correct

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Some are clapping to the beat some are clapping to the melody so it's constant clapping

[@mph1ish]

@@bonkeydollocks1879 But they moved one hand away as they clapped

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@mph1ish yes that's what usually happens in clapping

[@josephkane2148]

Another Timeless Classic single from 1958 as it was done By Bobby Freeman as it was Called Do You Want To Dance as it was a huge single in 1958

[@josephkane4753]

Another timeless Classic hit single from 1958 as it is Called Do You Wanna Dance by Bobby Freemen

[@joeray6182]

Yay Area 💯💙🙏

[@PAULLONDEN]

Just so soothing to see this god fearing America......

[@Katy-ye1zr]

PaulL yeah, and are you seeing it now (4 years after your comment).

[@hapijen4828]

That was painful to watch. Felt sorry for both of them - The baby elephant was totally superfluous.

[@gat1240]

He was having fun and so was the elephant, you know every body today is judging the past by current standards,. Would you prefer this never happened, Bobby Freeman was never on Dick Clark, the elephant never got paid...LOL

[@sjb8849]

An elephant cannot be superfluous.

[@hapijen4828]

@@sjb8849 It most definitely is in this situation.

[@sjb8849]

@hapi jen On behalf of elephants everywhere, your comment is insulting. You're probably just jealous because you don't have an elephant in your own life.

[@hapijen4828]

@@sjb8849 Such a superficial spurious projection - animals are not here for your moronic entertainment & exploitation.

[@molinalong3468]

0:00 Tony Randall before of played by Felix on the odd couple tv version

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Awesome!

[@timmyj7092]

I love you, mommy.

[@larryjohndeere8492]

Muy bueno! Elephante grande .

[@nickmele9968]

Fantastic

[@MrSoulSimon]

One of the first 45's I ever bought. It's just so danceable. Bette Midler did a great cover, but did not copy the original.

[@rockyruane9379]

This is HORRIFIC

[@pfarquharson1]

No comment!!!!

[@MrHearnnow]

Just love this song. Great singer and entertainer. Died way to young. 😊

[@SailorBarsoom]

The elephant could still be alive. It was quite young, and they can be long-lived.

[@shinobi5419]

Sailor Barsoom ummm so!? Whats your point?

[@SailorBarsoom]

Shin Obi It's just something to think about. Like when you look at a giant redwood and realize that it was a sapling when Jesus was preaching in the streets of Jerusalem, or think that Susanna Jones, who is still alive, was already a teenager when World War I started.

[@shinobi5419]

Sailor Barsoom Yeah I agree, trees are beautiful living things

[@waldolydecker8118]

the elephant could have died serving in Vietnam or from 60's drug use.

[@pedroespier3081]

Both did good!! The only fucked up shit was the outfit!!!! I would have declined. But remember this was the 50's & bobby probably didnt have a choice!!

[@graemesmellie5223]

Love the song

[@chriswhitaker5949]

RIP

[@maxonian206]

No wonder he wanted to get off quickly in that ridiculous outfit.

[@jimharris4734]

To put it MILDLY!!! YIKES!!! Hard to BELIEVE they made him wear that ?":>.

[@jeanmariebasset2544]

C'est mon avis

[@bobbie143bc]

Even back then it was ridiculous! 🙄

[@alheitzer2438]

Clark's people dressed up these acts in some of the most ridiculous costumes ever. He did the same with the Skyliners dressing 'em in Western outfits in a saloon setting having nothing to do with the hit tune they sang! Did the same with the Flamingos in some ridiculous snow scene having nothing to do with 'I Only Have Eyes For You'.

[@johnnymorys]

Love the RAMONES version!!!!!

[@lucyleone5179]

What some artists 'had' to put up with - dancing with an elephant in a ringleader costume....how degrading...i think it showed on Bobby's face....such embarrassment

[@adamtzsch]

I can't believe my eyes.

[@jackclements8135]

Great song! Wonder if that beautiful baby Elephant is still alive?! He or she would be knocking on now!

[@susannthomas5273]

what ruins this performance is the elephant seriously an elephant shame on you Dee Clark

[@tubeslats]

I was born in the 50s. Race relations in the U.S. are much better now.

[@duncansalkeld7465]

Jerry Garcia played guitar on this.

[@larrydeck8036]

No, he didn't.

[@nchan4679]

Great song, terrible that theybmade him dance with an elephant, shameful...song is way to good and didnt deserve this comical comedic rendition.

[@MrDriller36]

Feels like I just dropped about 10 pounds of acid, this is easily the most twisted video I’ve ever seen, cool music though.

[@momokawa111]

Well do you wanna dance and hold my hand? Sqeeze me baby I'm your man Oh baby, do you wanna dance? Well do you wanna dance under the moonlight? Squeeze and hug me all through the night Oh baby, do you wanna dance? Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Well do you wanna dance to a rock'n'roll band? Come on baby, give me your hand Oh baby, do you wanna dance? Well do you wanna dance under the moonlight? Squeeze and hug me all through the night Oh baby, do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance Do you do you do you do you wanna dance

[@jackmcdouglas4126]

This song became a mega hit in Brasil covered by Johnny Rivers. Everybody think it's his song.

[@waldolydecker8118]

Beach Boys too

[@Tricker-the-licker]

That doesn't surprise me at all

[@fueledbylove]

Learned something from this video some people dont know the difference between the costume of a Ringmaster and a Lawn Jockey or what they wore on a Minstrel Show. If you are not completely certain about these things best to stay silent.