Who Do You Love
Destroyers/George Thorogood/George Thorogood & the Destroyers Lyrics
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A brand new house on the road side, and it's a-made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's a-made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me baby, and tell me who do you love?
Who do you love?
Around the town I use a rattlesnake whip, take it easy baby don't you give me no lip
Who do you love?
I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind, I'm just twenty-two and I don't mind dying
Who do you love?
Yeah, who do you love?
Ah, who do you love?
Now Arlene took a-me by my hand, she said lonesome George you don't understand
Who do you love?
The night were dark and the sky were blue, down the alleyway a ice wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed, you should've heard what I'd seen
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Yeah who do you love?
Ah, who do you love?
Yeah, I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine
Just twenty-two baby I don't mind dying
Snake skin shoes baby put them on your feet
Got the good time music and the Bo Diddley beat
Yeah, who do you love?
Ooh, who do you love?
I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side, and it's made out of rattle snake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's made out of human skull
Come on take a little walk with me child, tell me who do you love?
Yeah, who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love
Oh
In "Who Do You Love," George Thorogood paints a vivid picture of a mysterious and dangerous man, who has walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire and wears a cobra snake as a necktie. He boasts of a new house made out of rattlesnake hide and a chimney made out of human skulls. This imagery of snakes and skulls suggests something sinister and foreboding about the singer. He calls out to a woman, asking her who she loves, and then describes his strange and intimidating possessions.
As the song goes on, the singer reveals that he carries a rattlesnake whip and has a "tombstone hand" and "graveyard mind." He's young, only twenty-two years old, but seems to have a cavalier attitude toward death. He then describes a strange encounter with a woman named Arlene, who tries to make him understand something he doesn't quite grasp.
The overall tone of the song is one of cool confidence and a devil-may-care attitude. The singer exudes a rough exterior and a fearless attitude, but there's an underlying sense of danger and unpredictability. The repeated question of "who do you love" serves as a challenge to the listener, as if to say, "Can you handle someone like me?"
Line by Line Meaning
I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie
I have been through a tough journey and my style is bold and daring.
A brand new house on the road side, and it's a-made out of rattlesnake hide
My house is unique and exotic, representing my free spirit and wild personality.
Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's a-made out of human skull
My eccentric taste and disregard for convention is evident in even the most mundane parts of my life, as seen by the unusual material used for my chimney.
Come on take a little walk with me baby, and tell me who do you love?
Let's spend some time together and get to know each other better, tell me who is important to you.
Who do you love?
Who holds a special place in your heart?
Around the town I use a rattlesnake whip, take it easy baby don't you give me no lip
I'm not afraid to display my dominant energy and I expect respect from those around me.
I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind, I'm just twenty-two and I don't mind dying
I have experienced life's hardships and death doesn't scare me, as I have already seen many aspects of it.
Now Arlene took a-me by my hand, she said lonesome George you don't understand
Arlene is trying to bring a new perspective to my life and my ways, but I may not be open to her ideas.
The night were dark and the sky were blue, down the alleyway a ice wagon flew
The setting is mysterious and ominous, indicating potential danger or excitement.
Hit a bump and somebody screamed, you should've heard what I'd seen
A sudden unexpected event caused chaos and fear, leading to a chilling experience.
Yeah, I've got a tombstone hand in a graveyard mine, Just twenty-two baby I don't mind dying
I am aware that I could die anytime, and I am not afraid of it considering the experiences that life has already thrown at me.
Snake skin shoes baby put them on your feet, Got the good time music and the Bo Diddley beat
Let's have some fun and enjoy life with great music, fashion, and a dancing rhythm.
Yeah, who do you love?
Again, who is the special person that you love and care for?
I walked forty-seven miles of barbed wire, I got a cobra snake for a necktie, A brand new house on the road side, and it's made out of rattle snake hide, Got a band new chimney put on top, and it's made out of human skull
Reiteration of the first stanza, emphasizing my unique and bold style through multiple aspects of my life.
Come on take a little walk with me child, tell me who do you love?
One more time, let's spend time together, and get to know each other better, tell me who matters to you.
Who do you love?
Final question, asking who you hold dear in your heart?
Oh
Exclamation indicating emotion, but unclear in its direct meaning.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind