Come On Let’s Go — a jubilant invitation to dance, a nostalgic echo of rock-and-roll’s golden revival
With its irresistible cheer and rhythmic urgency, “Come On Let’s Go” by Showaddywaddy is not just a song — it’s an open-hearted call to the dance floor, a gleeful reminder of rock & roll’s original spark and endless energy. For listeners who lived through the analog era of tuneful celebrations and joyous sing-along moments, this rendition captures that old-school excitement with a wink, a stomp, and a grin.
When Showaddywaddy released their version of “Come On Let’s Go” in late 1977, it became one of their most beloved hits. The single climbed to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart that November, resonating as a chart success nearly on par with their earlier breakthrough hits — a testament to the band’s profound connection with audiences who cherished nostalgia wrapped in vibrant performance.
There is a charming backstory woven into this recording. Showaddywaddy — formed in Leicester in 1973 by merging two vibrant local bands — became known for their theatrical approach to rock & roll revival, complete with Teddy Boy style, dual drummers, and infectious energy that felt as alive onstage as it did on record. Their music didn’t merely revisit the past; it reanimated it with affectionate homage and unrestrained enthusiasm.
“Come On Let’s Go” itself, however, wasn’t originally theirs. The song was first written and recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958, a young rock & roll pioneer whose original reached audiences with buoyant simplicity and a youthful urgency. Showaddywaddy’s version, placed on their album Crepes & Drapes (1979), took that spirited core and electrified it with a broader, more theatrical glam-rock context — enhancing the rhythm, spotlighting group vocals, and turning the track into a communal celebration.
Listening to Showaddywaddy’s “Come On Let’s Go” today, one can almost feel the familiar warmth of a packed dance hall or a family gathering where everyone knows the tune and no one sits still. The lyrics are playfully uncomplicated — “Come on let’s go, let’s go, little darlin’…” — yet they evoke a universal yearning for togetherness, for movement, for the pure, unsophisticated joy of shared musical experience.
For many older listeners, the song doesn’t just entertain; it opens a door to vivid memories. Perhaps it takes you back to an evening under twinkling lights, feet shuffling in rhythm, laughter rising with the beat. Or maybe it recalls radio waves from youth, the thrill of a new twist on the rock & roll you first danced to under a school gym’s fluorescents. In either case, there’s a wistfulness — the kind that makes you smile at how music once moved you, body and heart alike.
What makes this song especially endearing for those who remember its first wave of popularity is not just the melody but the emotional landscape it paints. It’s innocence wrapped in bravado, simplicity delivered with precision, and an upbeat spirit that asks nothing more of you than to join in and feel alive. The band, with its eight members and spirited performances, didn’t just cover a classic; they invited generations to rediscover rock & roll’s radiant heart.
Ultimately, “Come On Let’s Go” holds its charm not because it reinvented rock, but because it preserved its joy — and presented that joy with unabashed zeal. It’s a testament to Showaddywaddy’s gift for bridging eras: honoring the original rock & roll spark while igniting fresh excitement in listeners, young and old. In its vibrant energy, we hear not just a song, but a celebration — one that continues to coax feet to move, voices to sing, and memories to unfold with every chorus.