After Be-Bop-A-Lula had become a huge hit in 1956 (peaking at #7 and spending 20 weeks in the Billboard Pop Chart), Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps (often mis-named as 'the' Blue Caps) were unable to follow it up with the same level of commercial success, but released critically acclaimed songs like Race With The Devil (#96 in Billboard) and Bluejean Bop (#49).
Following a visit to Europe in 1959, Vincent managed to attract a new huge and discerning audience there, especially in England and France. By that time his career had mostly ended in the US. In 1960, while on tour in Britain, Vincent and songwriter Sharon Sheeley were seriously injured in a high-speed traffic accident. Vincent broke his ribs, collarbone, and added further damage to his already weak leg which he had injured in a motorcycle accident in 1955 and refused to have amputated, and Sheeley suffered a broken pelvis. Both Vincent and Sheeley survived, but the accident killed Vincent's tourmate and Sheeley's fiancé, Eddie Cochran.
Vincent subsequently moved to England in 1963. His stage shows became "must see" events and his bands through those years were to spawn some of the most respected players in the world today. It was during his early tours of Britain that he adopted the trademark leather outfit, at the suggestion of British Rock 'n' Roll impressario, Jack Good.
Flea Brain
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flea brain, (flea brain) a-rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, she`s got a hole in her head
If she wasn`t good lookin`, she`d be better off dead.
There's a brand new lassie moved in down the block
She's got a classy chassy and she knows how to rock
Stacked just right from her head to her shoe
Flea brain, (flea brain) a-hop-hop-hop
Flea brain, (flea brain) a-rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, she`s got a hole in her head
If she wasn`t good lookin`, she`d be better off dead. (Rock it now)
Well I took her over to a soda fountain over on Bo`s
She had an ice cream sundae and a hot cup of Jo
She leaned way back just to starighten up her hose
Well the ice cream melted and the coffee froze
Flea brain, (flea brain) rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, (flea brain) rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, got a hole in her head
If she wasn`t good lookin`, she`d be better off dead. (Rock!)
Well I took flea brain up to lover`s hill
I had it in my mind to get a, get a thrill
Stuck to me like a chicken to the roof
Thought that cat would never turn me loose
Flea brain, (flea brain) hop-hop-hop
Flea brain, (flea brain) a-rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, she`s a real hep kid
Flea brain knows more than I thought she did.
Flea brain, (flea brain) hop-hop-hop
Flea brain, (flea brian) rock-rock-rock
Flea brain, she`s a real hep kid
Flea brain knows more than I thought she did.
The lyrics to Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps's song "Flea Brain" describe a woman who is attractive but lacks intelligence, hence the title "flea brain." The opening lines allude to her hopping and rocking, indicating a lack of sophistication or grace. The repetition of the phrase "a-hole in her head" suggests a lack of common sense, which is further reinforced by the line "if she wasn't good lookin', she'd be better off dead." The singer seems to view the woman as little more than a sex object, evidenced by his attempts to take her to "lover's hill" and his focus on her physical appearance.
However, the lyrics also suggest that the singer is not entirely enamored with the woman's lack of intelligence. Lines like "she acts like somethin` that escaped from the zoo" and "flea brain knows more than I thought she did" suggest that he finds her behavior and thoughts to be rather strange. Furthermore, the line "stuck to me like a chicken to the roof" implies that the singer feels somewhat trapped or burdened by her presence.
Overall, "Flea Brain" seems to be a somewhat derogatory and objectifying portrayal of a woman who is viewed primarily in terms of her physical appearance and lack of intelligence. While the song is catchy and upbeat, its lyrics are not particularly flattering or empowering for women.
Line by Line Meaning
Flea brain, (flea brain) hop-hop-hop
He is referring to a new girl in town who is energetic and hyper.
Flea brain, (flea brain) a-rock-rock-rock
He is emphasizing the girl's love for rock music.
Flea brain, she`s got a hole in her head
The artist is alluding to the fact that she is not intelligent.
If she wasn`t good lookin`, she`d be better off dead.
The artist is claiming that the girl's only redeeming quality is her beauty.
There's a brand new lassie moved in down the block
There's a new girl in the neighborhood.
She's got a classy chassis and she knows how to rock
She has an attractive body and she loves rock music.
Stacked just right from her head to her shoe
She has a great figure.
She acts like somethin` that escaped from the zoo
She is very wild and crazy.
Well I took her over to a soda fountain over on Bo`s
He took her out for a drink at a soda shop.
She had an ice cream sundae and a hot cup of Jo
She ordered an ice cream sundae and a coffee.
She leaned way back just to straighten up her hose
She adjusted her stockings by arching her back.
Well the ice cream melted and the coffee froze
The girl was fidgeting so much that her ice cream melted and her coffee cooled down.
Well I took flea brain up to lover`s hill
He took her to a romantic spot.
I had it in my mind to get a, get a thrill
He was hoping to have a romantic experience with her.
Stuck to me like a chicken to the roof
She was very clingy and didn't want to let go.
Thought that cat would never turn me loose
He thought that he'd never be able to get away from her.
Flea brain, she`s a real hep kid
The artist is saying that the girl is very cool and fashionable.
Flea brain knows more than I thought she did.
The artist underestimated the girl's intelligence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BOB CENTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gerard van Leeuwen
Love this song !!
cardonaburban
Gene Vincent et les Blue caps dans un rockabilly digne de leur légende .
cc steamer
Great One 💪💪
👍Gene Vincent👍
Dan Prettyman
the best he was
Brian Bradt
badass!!
steven ford
Ladies and Gentlemen i present Mr Gene Vincent.
jeanmarie basset
Difficile de faire mieux
Tru Keesey
His leg was shattered and partly restored. (previously made mistaking, writing "missing a leg").
jmen4ever
No, just a crippled leg.
Tru Keesey
@jmen4ever You right. I fix.