B-side "Deep Feeling" Format 7" 45 RPM, 10" 78 RPM | Released March 1957 (1957-03) Length 2:40 | |
Recorded January 21, 1957, Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, Illinois Genre Rock and roll, rhythm and blues | ||
"School Days" (also known as "School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes the Bell)") is a rock-and-roll song written and recorded by Chuck Berry and released by Chess Records as a single in March 1957 and on the LP After School Session two months later (see 1957 in music). It is one of his best-known songs and is often considered a rock-and-roll anthem.
Contents
The last verse of the song contains the lyrics "Hail, hail rock and roll / Deliver me from the days of old." Hail! Hail! Rock and Roll became the title of a 1987 concert film and documentary about Berry. Much of the song's musical arrangement was reused by Berry in 1964 in "No Particular Place to Go". The same arrangement was also used for "Big Ben Blues", a very rare recording.
Recording
Berry recorded the song on January 21, 1957, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois. The session(s) were produced by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil. Backing Berry were guitarist Hubert Sumlin (known for his work with Howlin' Wolf), bassist Willie Dixon, and drummer Fred Below.
Charts
Berry's record peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (his third highest-ranked pop hit) and hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart. It was also his first appearance on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 24.
Cover versions
A 1957 British cover version by Don Lang and His Frantic Five reached number 26 in the UK.