Bobby Pickett co-wrote the song along with Leonard Capizzi. It became a million seller, as well as reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was styled as being by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kicker 5. In Britain it took until October 1973 for the tune to become popular, but it then pinnacled at Number 3 in the UK singles chart.
A Christmas themed follow-up, "Monster's Holiday", was also released in 1962, and it became a minor hit. After releasing a variety of other Halloween-based songs as well as trying his hand at script-writing, Bobby died on April 25, 2007 of leukemia. He's deeply missed by a cult audience of fans.
Blood Bank Blues
Bobby 'Boris' Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't pay my dues
They shut me off
I′ve got the blood bank blues
How could they refuse
To give me a pint or two?
All I really need is a little vivo
I've got the blues
Those ol′ blood bank blues
When the red corpuscles meet with the white
It makes for a wonderful treat
You can keep your filet and your top of the rump
Blood is just my meat
All these delivery banks
Close in the afternoon
But that is much too soon
But for the vampire′s trust
It is a midnight must
When the moon is full and blue
All because it
Must we come after ten?
I've got the blues
Those ol′ blood bank blues
Let me in, we-oo
I'm dry as a bone
Go away or I′ll show you wings
The reason that my blues didn't start
Boris put a stake in my girl′s heart
If I don't get it out before the sun is high
How will I ever fly?
I've really got the shakes
My wing membrane aches
How will I make it tonight?
Who′s the boss
Of the local Red Cross?
I′d like to know his name
If he just doesn't give a heck
I′ll put the bite to his neck
And lose my blues
Those ol' blood bank blues
[I′ve got the blood bank blues
Let me in, we-oo
[I got the blood bank blues
I'm dry as a bone
We-oo, we-oo
Darling, I said we-oo
Doesn′t anyone know popular music?
The song "Blood Bank Blues" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett is a playful take on the concept of blood banks and vampires. The lyrics describe Pickett's frustration with not being able to get blood from the blood bank due to not paying his dues. He sings about his love for blood, claiming that it's his favorite meat, and his desperate need for a pint or two. He even threatens to put a bite to the neck of the boss of the local Red Cross if he doesn't give him what he wants.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the blood bank blues
I am upset because the blood bank has cut off my supply of blood
I didn't pay my dues
I did not make the necessary payments to the blood bank
They shut me off
The blood bank has suspended my access to blood
How could they refuse
Why would they deny me the blood I need?
To give me a pint or two?
Can't they spare even a little blood for me?
I'm sick and tired of being treated so
I am fed up with the way they are treating me
All I really need is a little vivo
All I need is a little bit of life-giving blood
Those ol' blood bank blues
These are the typical problems that people encounter when dealing with the blood bank
When the red corpuscles meet with the white
When the red and white blood cells combine
It makes for a wonderful treat
It is essential for my survival
You can keep your filet and your top of the rump
I have no desire for steak as blood is my preferred source of sustenance
Blood is just my meat
For me, blood is the protein equivalent of meat
All these delivery banks
All the blood delivery services
Close in the afternoon
Stop operating early in the day
But that is much too soon
But that is too early for me to get my blood supply
But for the vampire's trust
However, for the vampires, it is essential
It is a midnight must
It is vital to obtain it at midnight
When the moon is full and blue
When there is a full moon
All because it
This is because of the sensorial experience of a full moon
Must we come after ten?
Do we really have to wait until after 10 PM to get blood?
Let me in, we-oo
Please open the door and let me come in
I'm dry as a bone
I am very thirsty for blood
Go away or I'll show you wings
Leave me alone, or I'll fly away
The reason that my blues didn't start
The reason I'm not feeling well is because Boris killed my girlfriend
Boris put a stake in my girl's heart
Boris killed my girlfriend
If I don't get it out before the sun is high
If I don't get the stake out before sunrise
How will I ever fly?
I won't be able to fly without my source of sustenance
I've really got the shakes
I am feeling shaky because of my lack of blood
My wing membrane aches
My wings are hurting because I cannot fly due to lack of energy
How will I make it tonight?
How will I survive the night without any blood?
Who's the boss
Who is in charge?
Of the local Red Cross?
Who is responsible for overseeing the operations of the blood bank?
I'd like to know his name
I want to know the name of this person in charge
If he just doesn't give a heck
If he doesn't care about my needs
I'll put the bite to his neck
I'll take matters into my own hands by biting him
And lose my blues
And finally feel better
Writer(s): B. Pickett, L. Capizzi
Contributed by Grayson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.