The band was originally formed in 1989 by leader Scott Morris. He and Kurt Sodergren are the two "original" members, with the rest of the band joining later on. The band concentrated on the swing of the 1940s and '50s, playing clubs and lounges in their early years.
The band launched two CDs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu' Want for Christmas? under their own label (Big Bad Records) before getting their big break when their songs "You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby)" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the 1996 comedy Swingers.
From there they were signed by Capitol Records. With Capitol the band released Americana Deluxe (also known as a second Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and This Beautiful Life. The band has continued their tours, performances and album releases Save My Soul, Live, and Everything You Want For Christmas, with one high point being their appearance at the 1999 Super Bowl half-time show.
Over the last few years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has experienced great success playing on the Pops programs of American Symphony Orchestras and regular US tours.
Most recently, BBVD released a tribute album titled How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway. As part of the live concerts promoting this recent album, the band continues to perform new material, including the track "5-10-15 Times I Love You" which frontman Scotty Morris says will be recorded as part of a new album in early 2011.
Band Members:
* Scott Morris "Scotty" (vocals and guitar) - core member
* Kurt Sodergren (drums and percussion) - core member
* Dirk Shumaker (string bass) - core member
* Andrew Rowley "Andy" (baritone saxophone) - core member
* Glen Marehevka "The Kid" (trumpet) - core member
* Karl Hunter (saxophone and clarinet) - core member
* Joshua Levy "Josh" (piano) - core member
* Tony Bonsera (lead trumpet)
* Alex Henderson (trombone) (also part of The Brian Setzer Orchestra)
** Ron Blake (former lead trumpet) left Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to go on tour with Green Day.
2000 Volts
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got jet-black hair, just like his mother
He's got a jail tattoo, from his long-lost brother
He's got a shotgun fuse, don't you pull his trigger
Broke from jail without a gun,
public enemy number one
Killed a man on the run
headed straight back to jail
Nowhere else for him to go daddy-o, daddy-o
Nowhere else for him to go daddy-o, daddy-o
He rolls snake-eyes, Jack, he's gonna make his money
He's headin' west, on a killin' spree
Down in L.A., you know the killin's free
(He was born on the 4th of July. The kind of guy, when he spoke to you, he
stared you straight in the eye. You know, man, when he walked into the room,
you would feel it. And man, when he walked in the room, it sounded like this)
He got a hundred years, and the electric chair
His final words were, I don't care
(The way the legend goes, is he was executed shortly after midnight. Some
witnesses say he seemed to be enjoying himself. One witness said he died
with a smile on his face. He was one bad, bad man)
The lyrics of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s song “2000 Volts” are a narrative that tells the story of a man who is heavily tattooed, wearing a sharkskin suit and a diamond earring, with jet-black hair and a tough-guy look on his face. Throughout the song, the listeners learn about his past, which includes a long-lost brother, a shotgun fuse, and a jailbreak. He is public enemy number one, killing a man and on the run and eventually aided by circumstances to land back in jail. The unstoppable character in the song is going to head west and go on a killing spree. His final trial leads to his execution, with him meeting his end with a smile, as if is he did not care about his fate.
The lyrics of “2000 Volts” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy paint a picture of a tough character who is a violent criminal that is depicted as someone who lives by his own rules, with internal strength, willing to die without any fears, and walks into the room with spunk that commands respect. The song style combines old-school jazz rhythms and the lyrics vividly paint the images of by-gone eras. The song's pacing allows one to be drawn into the world of the character, giving a sense of sympathy and empathy towards criminals and their world.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got a sharkskin suit and a diamond earring
He dresses flashy and ostentatious. He tries to show off by wearing a sharkskin suit and a diamond earring.
He's got jet-black hair, just like his mother
He has dark hair similar to his mother's. It is a common trait of his family.
He's got a jail tattoo, from his long-lost brother
He has a tattoo that he got while in jail, and it reminds him of his brother whom he lost touch with.
He's got a shotgun fuse, don't you pull his trigger
He is explosive and dangerous, and you shouldn't push him too far or provoke him.
Broke from jail without a gun, public enemy number one
He escaped from jail, and now has become a notorious criminal.
Killed a man on the run, on the lam, without bail
He murdered someone while on the run from the law and is now a fugitive without bail.
Nowhere else for him to go daddy-o, daddy-o
He has no other place to go. He is on the run and has to hide from the authorities.
He rolls snake-eyes, Jack, he's gonna make his money
He gambles recklessly, which will probably cost him money.
He's headin' west, on a killin' spree
He is going west to continue his killing spree.
Down in L.A., you know the killin's free
He is in Los Angeles where he can commit crimes without consequences.
(He was born on the 4th of July. The kind of guy, when he spoke to you, he
stared you straight in the eye. You know, man, when he walked into the room,
you would feel it. And man, when he walked in the room, it sounded like this)
This describes his appearance and demeanor. He was born on Independence Day, had an intense glare when he spoke to people, and commanded attention when he entered a room.
He got a hundred years, and the electric chair
He was sentenced to 100 years in prison and the electric chair.
His final words were, I don't care
Before his execution, he didn't show any remorse, and his final words indicated his nonchalant attitude towards his fate.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: SCOTTY A. MORRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind