In the 1980s, Setzer fronted the popular rockabilly band, Stray Cats. Stray Cats caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, Rock This Town (#9) and Stray Cat Strut (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant N Rave, which included the two successful singles (She's) Sexy + 17 (#5), and I Won't Stand In Your Way (#35).
In the 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released 5 albums to date and one live DVD. This group had one hit, Jump, Jive, and Wail around the same time songs like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot had been received favorably in mainstream America.
Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A new solo album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States.
Massapequa
Boppin' the Blues
Brian Setzer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It must be goin' 'round
All my friends are boppin' the blues
And it must be goin' 'round
I love you, baby but I must be rhythm bound
Well, the doctor told me
Boy, you don't need no pills
Son, you don't need no pills
Just a handful of nickels
And a jukebox will cure your ills
Well, all my friends are boppin' the blues
And it must be goin' 'round
All them cats are boppin' the blues
And it must be goin' 'round
I love you, baby, but I must be rhythm bound
Well, the cat bug bit me
Man, I don't feel no pain
Yeah, jitter bug caught me
Man, I don't feel no pain
I still love you, baby
But I'll never be the same, yeah
Well, all them cats are boppin' the blues
It must be goin' 'round
All my friends are boppin' the blues
And it must be goin' 'round
I love you, baby, I must be rhythm bound
Well, rock bop rhythm'n blues
Rock bop rhythm'n blues, baby
Rock bop rhythm'n blues
Rock bop rhythm'n blues
Rhythm'n blues it must be goin' 'round
The lyrics of Brian Setzer's "Boppin' the Blues" are a testament to the transformative power of music. Setzer describes how all of his friends are "boppin' the blues" and he feels like he must be "rhythm bound." He talks about how the doctor told him he doesn't need any pills to cure his ailment, just a handful of nickels and a jukebox. Setzer is describing the way music can take hold of people and bring them joy and healing, even in the darkest of times.
The song has a joyful, upbeat feel that reflects the idea of rhythm and music as a healing force. The repetition of the phrase "it must be goin' 'round" suggests that the joy and rhythm of music are infectious and spreading among everyone Setzer knows. The references to "rock bop rhythm'n blues" convey Setzer's love of this music and how it has transformed his life.
All in all, "Boppin' the Blues" is a joyful celebration of the power of music to transform lives and bring people together. Setzer's happy, bouncy interpretation of the lyrics leaves little doubt about the transformative power of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, all my friends are boppin' the blues
All of my buddies are listening to the same rhythm and blues music as me
It must be goin' 'round
The popularity of this style of music is spreading among my friends
All my friends are boppin' the blues
All of my buddies are listening to the same rhythm and blues music as me
And it must be goin' 'round
The popularity of this style of music is spreading among my friends
I love you, baby but I must be rhythm bound
I adore you, but I am unable to resist the rhythm and blues music in my bones
Well, the doctor told me
The physician advised me
Boy, you don't need no pills
You do not require medication
Yeah, that doctor told me
Yes, the physician instructed me
Son, you don't need no pills
You do not require medication
Just a handful of nickels
Only a small amount of change
And a jukebox will cure your ills
Listening to the music from a jukebox will make you feel better
Well, all them cats are boppin' the blues
All of those musicians are playing the same rhythm and blues music as me
It must be goin' 'round
The popularity of this style of music is spreading among my friends
All my friends are boppin' the blues
All of my buddies are listening to the same rhythm and blues music as me
And it must be goin' 'round
The popularity of this style of music is spreading among my friends
I love you, baby, but I must be rhythm bound
I adore you, but I am unable to resist the rhythm and blues music in my bones
Well, the cat bug bit me
I was infected with a love for cats
Man, I don't feel no pain
I am not feeling any discomfort
Yeah, jitter bug caught me
Yes, I caught the jitterbug
Man, I don't feel no pain
I am not feeling any discomfort
I still love you, baby
I still have strong feelings for you
But I'll never be the same, yeah
However, I am changed forever by my love for rhythm and blues music
Well, rock bop rhythm'n blues
Fast rock music with rhythm and blues influences
Rock bop rhythm'n blues, baby
Fast rock music with rhythm and blues influences
Rock bop rhythm'n blues
Fast rock music with rhythm and blues influences
Rock bop rhythm'n blues
Fast rock music with rhythm and blues influences
Rhythm'n blues it must be goin' 'round
The style of music must be becoming more popular
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SHARON SHEELEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind