Messin' With the Kid
Blues Brothers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What's this I hear
There's a whole lotta talk
The people say you try to quit the kid

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messin' with the kid

Now the kid plays hot
And hot don't pay
I say what I mean, I mean what I say

Yeah, yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messin' with the kid

Well tell me you love me
You tell me a lie
But I know I love ya baby, 'til the day I die

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messing with the kid

Elwood, Elwood!
-Yeah?
You want to mess with the kid?
-Nah Jake, I don't want to mess with the kid...
Yeah I know, I know that. How about you guys back here? You want to mess with the kid? Any of you guys? How about you people out there you want to mess with the kid?

Gonna take the kid's car
Drive around town
Tell everybody trying to put him down

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did




You can call it what you want
I call it messin' with the kid

Overall Meaning

“Messin’ with the Kid” is a popular blues song that has been covered by several recording artists including Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. The song is focused on the tension and conflict between the Kid and those who are trying to put him down or quit the kid. The chorus repeats the phrase “you can call it what you want, but I call it messin’ with the kid”. This phrase represents the resistance and defiance of the Kid against the forces that are trying to oppress and limit him.


The verses of the song describe the Kid’s talent and determination to play hot music, which is not widely appreciated, but still he persists. He knows what he means and he means what he says. The last verse of the song suggests that the Kid’s opponents may resort to stealing his car to stop him from playing his music. However, the Kid remains undaunted and resolute. This attitude is reflected in the music, which is upbeat, energetic and full of passion.


Line by Line Meaning

What's this I hear
I'm hearing rumors


There's a whole lotta talk
A lot of people are talking about it


The people say you try to quit the kid
People are saying you want to get rid of the kid


Hey yeah
Hey, listen up


Tell me what you did
Explain your actions


You can call it what you want
You can use any name you want for it


But I call it messin' with the kid
But I call it harming the kid


Now the kid plays hot
The kid is very talented


And hot don't pay
But just being talented doesn't guarantee success


I say what I mean, I mean what I say
I speak honestly and straightforwardly


Well tell me you love me
If you say you love me


You tell me a lie
But you're lying


But I know I love ya baby, 'til the day I die
But despite that, I still love you and always will


Elwood, Elwood!
Someone is calling for Elwood's attention


-Yeah?
-What's up?


You want to mess with the kid?
Do you want to harm the kid?


-Nah Jake, I don't want to mess with the kid...
-No, Jake, I don't want to harm the kid...


Yeah I know, I know that. How about you guys back here?
I understand you don't want to harm the kid. What about everyone else here?


You want to mess with the kid?
Do any of you want to harm the kid?


Gonna take the kid's car
We're going to borrow the kid's car


Drive around town
We're going to take a drive around the town


Tell everybody trying to put him down
We're going to spread the word to anyone who criticizes the kid


Hey yeah
Hey, listen up


Tell me what you did
Explain your actions


You can call it what you want
You can use any name you want for it


But I call it messin' with the kid
But I call it harming the kid




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MEL LONDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Allen

That bass is killer. Well done Donald.

tippimail1

The blues brothers great tribute to Junior Well.Thanks.I haven't heard this album in years.

Mimmo Leonardi

Greats, rememberig the great of soul and blues,👌👌❤️ tanks 😘

mstov

I had that album "Briefcase Full Of Blues" when I was young. I'm so sorry I lost it.

durwin pocha

The Kid, aka the GOAT greatest of all time, aka Peter Pan, don't ever mess with the Kid.....

How To Beat A Drum

I don’t want to mess with the kid

Ryan Raju

Lmfao i was the 420th like. I love it

koko

2.82k subs and hasn't uploaded in 8 years wow

Pete Murphy

MikeITron36D I’m subscribing now 👍😀

Haley Pierce

What does it mean messin with the kid? Just curious.

More Comments

More Versions