Well I rocked over Italy and rocked in Spain
Rocked in Memphis, it was all the same
Well, I rocked through Africa and roll of the ship
And seen them natives doin' a hot-lookin' skip
I parted the weeds and looked over the swamp
I seen them cats doin' the Ubangi stomp

Ubangi-stomp with rock and roll
Beats anything that's ever been told
Ubangi stomp, Ubangi style
When it hits, it's gonna drive a cool cat wild

Well I looked up the chief, he invited me in
He said, a hey big jam session's 'bout to begin

He handed me a tom-tom, I picked up that beat
That crazy thing sent shivers to my feet
I rocked and I rolled and I skipped with a smile
Done the Ubangi stomp till I rolled over dead

Well we rocked all night and part of the day
Had a good rockin' time with the chief's daughter May
I was makin' a time and a-gettin' to know
Then the captain said, son, we gotta go
I said that's alright, you go right ahead
I'll do the Ubangi stomp 'till I roll over dead

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis's song Ubangi Stomp document his travels across the world and his experiences with different cultures. Lewis sings about how he "rocked" all over Italy and Spain, and that it was no different in Memphis. He then talks about his travels through Africa, where he saw native people doing the "hot-lookin' skip," and eventually came across a tribe that was doing the Ubangi stomp. The Ubangi stomp, according to Lewis, is a rock and roll beat that beats anything that's ever been told. Lewis then meets the chief of the Ubangi tribe, who invites him to participate in a jam session. Lewis picks up a tom-tom and starts playing, getting so into the music that he eventually passes away, stomp dancing until he rolls over dead.

The song is full of energy and enthusiasm, emphasizing the power of rock and roll to transcend cultural and national boundaries. By describing the Ubangi stomp as a beat that resonates universally, Lewis suggests that music is a universal language that can connect people across different cultural contexts. The song speaks to the transformative power of music, which can lift people out of their everyday lives and connect them more deeply to themselves and to the world around them. Overall, Ubangi Stomp is a powerful tribute to the world-changing power of rock and roll.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I rocked over Italy and rocked in Spain
I played my music in Italy and Spain, and it was all the same experience of rocking it out.

Rocked in Memphis, it was all the same
Even in Memphis, the home of rock and roll, it was no different from my previous performances.

Well, I rocked through Africa and roll of the ship
I went on tour through Africa and continued to rock even while on board the ship.

And seen them natives doin' a hot-lookin' skip
I witnessed the locals doing a dance that was hot and exciting to watch.

I parted the weeds and looked over the swamp
I cleared away the weeds and peered over the swampy terrain.

I seen them cats doin' the Ubangi stomp
I saw the locals dancing the Ubangi stomp, a style of dance that involves a lot of movement and energy.

Ubangi-stomp with rock and roll
The combination of Ubangi stomp and rock and roll is unbeatable in terms of energy.

Beats anything that's ever been told
It is unparalleled and unlike anything anyone has ever experienced.

Ubangi stomp, Ubangi style
The Ubangi stomp is a unique style of dance and has its own distinct identity.

When it hits, it's gonna drive a cool cat wild
When the music and the dancing come together, it's impossible not to let loose and get carried away with the rhythm.

Well I looked up the chief, he invited me in
I met the chief and was invited to participate in a jam session.

He said, a hey big jam session's 'bout to begin
The chief announced that a big jam session was about to begin.

He handed me a tom-tom, I picked up that beat
The chief gave me a tom-tom drum, and I immediately joined in with the rhythm.

That crazy thing sent shivers to my feet
The drumming was so intense that it sent shivers through my entire body.

I rocked and I rolled and I skipped with a smile
I let go and fully immersed myself in the music and dance, enjoying every moment.

Done the Ubangi stomp till I rolled over dead
I danced the Ubangi stomp with so much passion and energy that I didn't want to stop, even if it killed me.

Well we rocked all night and part of the day
We played music all night and into the day, with no signs of slowing down.

Had a good rockin' time with the chief's daughter May
I had a great time rocking out with the chief's daughter May.

I was makin' a time and a-gettin' to know
I was having a good time and getting to know the people and culture.

Then the captain said, son, we gotta go
The captain informed us that it was time to leave.

I said that's alright, you go right ahead
I was OK with the captain leaving without me.

I'll do the Ubangi stomp 'till I roll over dead
I was perfectly content to keep dancing the Ubangi stomp until I could no longer go on.

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