Jelly Roll Gum Drop
Frank Zappa Lyrics


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Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
Baby don't you know now
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
The way you do the bop
Like a spinnin' top
The Pachuco Hop
And the L.A. Slop
You make a street car stop
At the soda shop
And my eye-balls pop
When I see my
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
Mama don't you know now
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
The way you boogie all night
You're my heart's delight
You know I wish I might
Get a tiny bite of your
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, I wanna, I wanna
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, I wanna, I wanna
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, I wanna, I wanna Jelly Roll
Bop bop bah, Bop bop bah
Bop bop bah, Bop bop bah
Sha-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la
(Cough, cough, cough)

Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
Baby don't you know now
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
The way you do the bop
Like a spinnin' top
The Pachuco Hop
And the L.A. Slop
You make a street car stop
At the soda shop
And my eye-balls pop
When I see my
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
Mama don't you know now
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
The way you boogie all night
You're my heart's delight
You know I wish I might
Get a tiny bite of your
Jelly Roll Gum Drop, I wanna, I wanna




Jelly Roll Gum Drop, I wanna, I wanna
Jelly Roll Gum Drop

Overall Meaning

"Jelly Roll Gum Drop" is a song by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, released in 1968. The song is a fun and upbeat track, with a catchy melody and lyrics that celebrate the joys of dancing and having a good time. The lyrics are playful and filled with allusions to various dance styles, including the Pachuco Hop and the L.A. Slop. The song is essentially a love song, with the singer expressing his desire for the titular "Jelly Roll Gum Drop."


The song is thematically similar to many other songs of the era, which celebrated youth culture and the joys of dancing. However, Zappa's unique musicianship and playful lyrics set this song apart from the rest of the genre. Zappa's music often featured complex arrangements and intricate instrumentation, and "Jelly Roll Gum Drop" is no exception. Despite its lightheartedness, the song features a driving rhythm section and intricate harmonies.


Overall, "Jelly Roll Gum Drop" is a fun and charming example of Zappa's unique approach to music-making. The song celebrates the joy of dancing and having a good time, while showcasing Zappa's musical mastery and playful sense of humor.


Line by Line Meaning

Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
I am very interested in you, Jelly Roll Gum Drop


Baby don't you know now
Do you not realize this?


The way you do the bop
I love the way you dance the bop


Like a spinnin' top
You dance with such energy and enthusiasm


The Pachuco Hop
I love the way you dance the Pachuco Hop


And the L.A. Slop
You're a great dancer, whether it's the Pachuco Hop or the L.A. Slop


You make a street car stop
You are so captivating that even a street car would stop to watch you dance


At the soda shop
You're the kind of person who would make a soda shop a fun and lively place to be


And my eye-balls pop
You're so amazing that my eyes nearly pop out of my head when I see you


When I see my Jelly Roll Gum Drop, got my eyes on you
I am still fixated on you, Jelly Roll Gum Drop


Mama don't you know now
Do you not realize how amazing you are?


The way you boogie all night
Your dancing is so captivating that I could watch it all night


You're my heart's delight
I am completely enamored with you


You know I wish I might
I desperately wish


Get a tiny bite of your Jelly Roll Gum Drop
To experience just a small taste of what it's like to be with you


I wanna, I wanna
I really want to


Bop bop bah, Bop bop bah
The rhythm of your dance is infectious


Sha-la-la-la, Sha-la-la-la
I am so entranced by you, I can't even find the words to express myself


(Cough, cough, cough)
I am so overwhelmed by your presence that I need to clear my throat before I can continue speaking




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Zappa

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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