The band produced three albums on Restless Records: "Disgraceland", "Hellbilly", and "Supersadomasochisticexpialidocious". Not really parody, and only slightly punk, they were actually a seminal American psychobilly outfit, taking cues from the likes of The Meteors and Mad Sin.
The band was active in the late Eighties, early Nineties, and has recently reformed (2005). It consists of singer Jim Leedy (a.k.a. "Elvis Hitler"), guitarist John Defever, bassist Warren Defever, and drummer Damian Lang.
Their irreverent mix of rockabilly and lowbrow humor led to them having a cult following in their day, though they never had commercial success. They then disappeared from the public spotlight for the first time. Warren DeFever (a.k.a Warn DeFever) would go on to form the dramatically-different sounding experimental rock band His Name Is Alive, and work as a record producer for underground bands. He is known for going under various pseudonyms, and is also a member of numerous other bands including The Dirteaters (The Dirt Eaters), and the avant-garde noise / performance group Princess Dragonmom (Princess Dragon-mom).
In 1998, however, Elvis Hitler reunited as a four piece band, with Rich Strock filling in on bass, and played at various locations in Detroit and in Chicago. They then faded away again. They once more reunited in 2003 at The Magic Stick club in Detroit with Warren Defever returning to the bass. They played one more concert at that club on September 4th, 2004.
Due to the resistance of having a band with the name Hitler in the title, regardless of its intent, the band released one album under the name "Splatter."
Open Road
Elvis Hitler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I sing songs
Piled into our big black van
And the we drove it all across this land
Playing music that was big and loud
The open road is what it's all about
I passed a phone and thought I'd call you
I miss you baby, really miss you a lot
Your hugs and kisses get me hot, hot, hot
Cheap thrills but not cheap girls
We're just swine before the pearls
I'm getting homesick and I just found out
The open road is what it's all about
We piled into our big black van
We played our music it was big and loud
That we had driven all across this land
The open road is what it's all about
The lyrics in Elvis Hitler's song "Open Road" are a tribute to the life of a touring musician. The first lines of "I'm a singer, I sing songs" are an introduction to the singer's identity as a musician. The opening verse then describes the band's journey across the country in a van, highlighting their passion for music and the freedom that comes with being on the open road. The singer reminisces about missing their loved ones but also acknowledges the "cheap thrills" that come with life on tour.
The chorus drives home the message of the song - "the open road is what it's all about." This line is a declaration of the singer's love for the touring lifestyle, despite its difficulties. The final verse repeats the image of the band in their van, driving across the country and playing their music loudly. The song ends with the repeated chorus, emphasizing the singer's love for the open road and the freedom that comes with it.
Overall, "Open Road" celebrates the life of a touring musician: the camaraderie of being on the road with a group of friends, the thrill of playing music every night, and the exhilaration of exploring new places. At the same time, the song recognizes the hardships that come with being away from loved ones and living on a tight budget.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a singer
I belong to the singing profession
I sing songs
I create and perform music
Piled into our big black van
We got settled into our vehicle and ready to roll
And then we drove it all across this land
We traveled around the country far and wide
Playing music that was big and loud
Our style of music was energetic and intense
The open road is what it's all about
Traveling and performing is our ultimate goal
Walking the streets of Athens, Georgia
I wandered around a town enjoying its sights and sounds
I passed a phone and thought I'd call you
I used a public phone to make a call to my significant other
I miss you baby, really miss you a lot
I yearn for the presence and warmth of my lover
Your hugs and kisses get me hot, hot, hot
Physical touch from you arouses me immensely
Cheap thrills but not cheap girls
Our interests are frugal but not immoral
We're just swine before the pearls
We are undeserving of the finer things in life
I'm getting homesick and I just found out
I'm starting to miss my home and it caught me off guard
The open road is what it's all about
Despite missing home, traveling is still our main focus
We piled into our big black van
Our journey continued in our trusty transportation
We played our music it was big and loud
Our performances remained energetic and intense
That we had driven all across this land
We have traveled through many places in this country
The open road is what it's all about
Traveling and performing is still our ultimate goal
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JIM LEEDY, JOHN DEFEVER, WARREN DEFEVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian C
Full album playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9HHuyLUvkaWG9lK-2q94rLumE_MZfa0U