I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent
| "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 45 RPM single version | ||||
| Single by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers | ||||
| from the album The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon | ||||
| B-side | "Baby, Baby" | |||
| Released |
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| Recorded | August–October 1956 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length |
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| Label | Gee | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" on YouTube | ||||
"I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" is a song written by George Goldner and performed by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers for the 1956 film Rock, Rock, Rock!, which also appeared on the soundtrack for the film's 50th anniversary. It reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1957.[1] It was released in November 1956 in the US[2] and February 1957 in the UK,[3] and is the last song featured on the 1956 album The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon.[4]
Background[edit]
The song was originally written by Jimmy Merchant with the help of his older songwriter friend Robert Spencer (later finalized by Goldner). According to Merchant, it is notably the first protest song ever released by the Teenagers. Merchant described that the "words [of this song] object to being labeled as 'bad', but eclipse with a strong, uplifting truth in its opening line."[5][6]
The Teenagers (including Herman Santiago, Joe Negroni, Merchant, and Sherman Garnes) recorded their harmony on August 4, 1956, without Frankie Lymon. Two months later, Lymon was brought into overdub as a lead singer.[7] In addition to the Teenagers' versions and Lymon's overdub, Merchant primarily constructed the harmony background.[8]
Behind the song[edit]
Although not confirmed, there are possibilities that lead to the composition of the song.
This song is mainly concerned with the widespread of juvenile delinquency in United States, particularly in 1954 to 1956.[9][10] Concerning moral panic, there were media portrayals of juvenile delinquency in films that include Blackboard Jungle and Rebel Without a Cause. Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer (MGM) released Blackboard Jungle in 1955, the same year Rebel Without a Cause was released. Due to its release, Blackboard Jungle aroused controversies because integrated schools were believed to be the "environment of switchblade knives, marijuana, stabbings, rapes, violence, and blackboard jungles," and they were associated with belligerent males depicted in the movie.[11] On the other hand, Rebel Without a Cause demonstrates that "juveniles presented a significant threat" during post-World War II era.[12] Moral panic and media portrayals regarding juvenile delinquency in 1950s are possibly the factor of the song being made.
Rock, Rock, Rock![edit]
Filmed at Bedford Park Studios, near botanical gardens in Bronx, New York,[6] Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were on Rock, Rock, Rock! set performing on stage, dancing and apparently lip-syncing to the song in front of the audience.
Synopsis[edit]
A black-and-white video begins with Garnes extending his thumb toward his chest, uttering "I'm not a juvenile delinquent." After his introduction, the video zooms out to show the rest of boys swinging their arms back and forth, and lifting their knees to do a walking motion in place rhythmically (accompanied by Negroni, Merchant, and Santiago); then it also reveals Lymon gesturing, especially the prayer hands. They are performing their dance almost the entire duration until the song ends, which results in the video slowly zooming into Lymon making a prayer gesture. While the audience is applauding and cheering for them, the boys conclude their performance with a smile and a pose, which they are seen pressing both index fingers to their cheeks, bending their knees with one foot in front of other, and then making prayer hands.
Lyrics[edit]
The song precedes with Lymon saying "no" numerous times after Garnes sings "I'm not a juvenile delinquent" once in the beginning, and when the former chants "I'm not a juvenile" twice in the end.
The first-person narrative addresses (presumably) a boy who is given an advice on making a right choice, and has a potential to "be in paradise." However, the boy acknowledges it and assures that he is not a juvenile delinquent throughout the song."[13][14]
While stating that he is not a juvenile delinquent, the boy chanted, quoting "It's easy to be good; it's hard to be bad. Stay out of trouble, and you'll be glad. Now, take this tip from me, and you will see how happy you will be.[15]
Radio station broadcast[edit]
In early 1957, the British were fascinated by "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent" played on radio stations that they "loved" it. Therefore, it peaked number 12 on April. However, on the other hand, the broadcasting of the song in the United States was canceled and it "failed to chart," although The Teenagers were Americans.[6]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (1957) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 12 |
Other versions[edit]
- The Amboy Dukes released a version of the song on their 1969 album, Migration.[17]
- Freddie Starr made an unreleased version of the song.[18]
- The Revivals released a version in 1987.[19]
- The Sensations released a version of the song in 1966.[20]
- Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets released a version of the song on their 1971 album, I'm No J.D.[21][22]
Legacy[edit]
 |
This song is featured in the 1972 film Pink Flamingos in a scene when Divine runs errands, and also the 1993 movie This Boy's Life when Toby (Leonardo DiCaprio) exits the building, styles his hair with a hair gel while looking into a window, walks with and hangs out with a teenage boy asking and talking about skipping schools and making out. It is also featured in the episode of The Young Ones titled "Bomb" when Rick (Rik Mayall), wearing a British Army barrack dress, is seen walking and then taunting a law enforcement officer looking away by flashing the V shape to him.
References[edit]
- ^ "Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" Chart Positions". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers - I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent". 45cat. 45cat for vinyl 7" records. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers - I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent". 45cat. 45cat for vinyl 7" records. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon". Discogs. December 1956. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Merchant 2023, p. 182–83.
- ^ a b c Warner 2006, p. 244.
- ^ Merchant 2023, p. 213.
- ^ "Jimmy merchant screenshot inajd". Flickr. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ Gilbert 1988, p. 68.
- ^ Goode 2017.
- ^ Walker 2010, p. 1.
- ^ Kuperstein 2016.
- ^ Merchant 2023, p. 182.
- ^ Zandt, Steve. ""Juvenile Delinquent" Lyrics, Facts, and Figures" (PDF). TeachRock. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ Merchant 2023, p. 183.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "The Amboy Dukes, Migration". AllMusic. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "Freddie Starr-I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent (Joe Meek Unreleased Full Version).wmv". YouTube. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "The Revivals – Too Young B/W I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent". Discogs. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "The Sensations - Shake It / Juvenile Delinquent (1966, Vinyl)". Discogs. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "I'm No J.D. - Shakin' Stevens". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets, I'm No J.D.". Retrieved December 9, 2016.
Bibliography[edit]
- Gilbert, James (1988). Cycle of Outrage. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-505641-8.
- Goode, Erich (2017). "Moral Panic". The Encyclopedia of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice. pp. 1–3. doi:10.1002/9781118524275.ejdj0054. ISBN 978-1-118-52032-1.
- Kuperstein, Harry (2016). Rebel Without a Cause and Juvenile Delinquency Hysteria.
- Merchant, Jimmy (2023). A Teenager's Dream: Why Do Fools Fall in Love. Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp. ISBN 978-1-948853-65-1.
- Walker, Anders (2010). Blackboard Jungle: Delinquency, Desegregation, and the Cultural Politics of Brown.
- Warner, Jay (2006). American Singing Groups. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 0634099787.
