Origin of Jenkins Stage Name--------- Jenkins felt that his real name wasn't marketable, and he changed his show business name in 1957. (Harold Lloyd Jenkins would always remain his legal name, however). Looking at a road map, he spotted Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas. Thus, he went with the professional name of "Conway Twitty".[citation needed]
Alternatively, Jenkins met a Richmond, VA, man named W. Conway Twitty Jr. through Jenkins' manager in a New York City restaurant. The manager served in the army with the real Conway Twitty. Later, the manager suggested to Jenkins that he take the name as his stage name because it had a ring to it. The Richmond Conway Twitty subsequently recorded the song, "What's in a Name But Trouble," in the mid-1960s, lamenting the loss of his name to Jenkins. The flip side of the 45 RPM record was "The Purple, Purple People Eater, Eater." (The more well known version of Purple People Eater, however, now having sold over 100,000,000 copies, was recorded by Sheb Wooley.)
Jailhouse Rock
Conway Twitty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Prison band was there and they began to wail
Band starting jumpin', joint began to swing
Should've heard the knocked out jailbirds sing
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Yes, everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Well, Spider Murphy played on the saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
Whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Yes, everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Well, number forty seven said to number three
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Sure'd be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Well, a sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
Over in the corner weepin' all alone
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
Can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Well, everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Well, shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For goodness' sake
Warden's not lookin', man let's make a break"
Bugsy looked at Henry and he said, "Nix nix
Gotta stick around a while and get my kicks"
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Well, everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Bopin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Rockin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Conway Twitty's "Jailhouse Rock" is a cover of Elvis Presley's famous song. The lyrics narrate a party that takes place in a county jail, where the prison band plays, igniting the inmates to rock and dance. The rhythm section of the band is the Purple Gang, and Spider Murphy plays the saxophone, Little Joe the slide trombone, and the drummer boy from Illinois crashes the cymbals. The party-goers, from the cute jailbirds to the sad sack sitting alone, dance along to the Jailhouse Rock tune without any hesitation or care in the world. The song also depicts a comical escape plot from two inmates, Shifty Henry and Bugsy, but despite Henry's persuasion, Bing resists and decides to stay back and enjoy the party.
The lyrics represent a timeless narrative of the power of music in bringing joy and happiness, regardless of the circumstances of life. The prisoners let go of their worries to embrace the moment of dancing to the Jailhouse Rock. The warden's absence and neglect of his duty regarding a potential escape plot lend a comical dimension to the song. The saxophone and other instruments' sounds in the background, along with the strong beats and harmonies, amplify the fun energy that animates the partygoers.
Line by Line Meaning
Warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden held a celebration inside the prison.
Prison band was there and they began to wail
The band that plays in the prison was present and started to play a lively tune.
Band starting jumpin', joint began to swing
The band's music had everyone dancing and the whole place was lively.
Should've heard the knocked out jailbirds sing
The prisoners sang along with the band and it was a great time for everyone involved.
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Everyone was encouraged to get on their feet and dance to the music.
Yes, everybody in the whole cell block
All of the prisoners were involved in the fun and dancing.
Well, Spider Murphy played on the saxophone
One of the band members named Spider Murphy was playing the saxophone.
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Another band member named Little Joe was playing the slide trombone.
Drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
A drummer from Illinois was playing the drums loudly and energetically.
Whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
The entire group of musicians was known as the Purple Gang and they were great performers.
Well, number forty seven said to number three
One inmate, number forty seven, spoke to another inmate, number three.
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Number forty seven complimented number three on their appearance.
Sure'd be delighted with your company
Number forty seven invited number three to join them in the dancing.
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Number forty seven asked number three to dance with them to the Jailhouse Rock song.
Well, a sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
One inmate seemed to be feeling down and was sitting by themselves on a block of stone.
Over in the corner weepin' all alone
They were crying and feeling very alone in the corner of the room.
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden spoke to the inmate and encouraged them not to be sad and join in the fun.
Can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
The warden suggested that the inmate dance with a wooden chair as their partner.
Well, shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For goodness' sake
Another inmate named shifty Henry spoke to their friend Bugs.
Warden's not lookin', man let's make a break"
Shifty Henry suggested they escape while the warden wasn't paying attention.
"Bugsy looked at Henry and he said, "Nix nix
Bugsy declined the offer to escape and wanted to stick around to enjoy the party.
Gotta stick around a while and get my kicks"
Bugsy wanted to have fun dancing and enjoying the music before considering a possible escape.
Bopin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Everyone was jamming and having a good time listening to the Jailhouse Rock song.
Rockin' to the Jailhouse Rock
People were dancing energetically and enjoying the music of Jailhouse Rock.
Lyrics © BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
karen caudill
Never heard that version before, he's good
Janie Lewis
Love hearing the crooner rocking. Love it
Shane Lovins
Wow that’s awesome he was almost as great as Elvis he’s really close