About the song
Ritchie Valens – “Come On, Let’s Go!” (1958): A Teen Anthem of Pure Exuberance
Now, let’s travel back in time to the golden age of rock and roll, shall we? The year is 1958. Elvis is shaking things up, Chuck Berry is duck-walking his way into our hearts, and a young man named Ritchie Valens is about to burst onto the scene with a raw energy that would define a generation.
Valens, barely 17 years old, captured the youthful spirit of the era with “Come On, Let’s Go!”, a song that pulsates with an irresistible urgency. It’s a simple plea, a call to action, an invitation to seize the moment and embrace the thrill of being young and alive. You can practically hear the teenage yearning in his voice, a desire to break free from the mundane and dive headfirst into the excitement of the unknown.
What strikes me most about this track is its sheer exuberance. The driving rhythm, the infectious melody, and Valens’s passionate vocals all combine to create a sense of unbridled joy. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to jump out of your seat and dance, to throw caution to the wind and just let loose.
And let’s not forget the iconic guitar riff that kicks off the song. It’s a classic rock and roll hook, instantly recognizable and impossible to resist. Valens’s guitar playing, though still developing, is full of fire and passion, a testament to his natural talent and his deep love for the music.
Of course, we can’t talk about “Come On, Let’s Go!” without acknowledging its tragic context. Just a year after its release, Valens’s life was cut tragically short in the plane crash that also claimed the lives of Buddy Holly and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. This event, forever known as “The Day the Music Died,” robbed the world of a rising star and left a void in the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
But even in the face of such tragedy, “Come On, Let’s Go!” remains a testament to Valens’s enduring legacy. It’s a reminder of his youthful energy, his infectious enthusiasm, and his undeniable talent. And it continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
So crank up the volume, tap your feet, and let the vibrant spirit of Ritchie Valens transport you back to a time when rock and roll was young and the possibilities were endless.
Video
Lyrics
Well, come on, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, little darlin’
And tell me that you’re never leaving
Come on, come on, let’s go
Again, again and again
Well, now, swing me, swing me all the way down there
Come on, let’s go, little darlin’
Let’s go, let’s go again once more
Well, I love you so, dear, and I’ll never let you go
Come on, baby, so, oh pretty baby, I-I love you so
Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, little sweetheart
Then we can always be together
Come on, come on
Let’s go again
I love you so, dear, and I’ll never let you go
Come on, baby, so
Oh, pretty baby, I-I love you so
Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go, little darlin’
They’re dancing and we belong here
Come on, come on, let’s go
Again, again, and again, and again
Again, again, and again, and again
Again, again, and again, and again
Again, again, and again, and again…