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.
How I Love Them Old Songs
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, they were a comfort to me when I was alone
The dancing stops, but the music she goes on
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll, hey
And when I hear that double-eagle guitar
Makes me think of Carl Parkins when he was a star
Makes me think I'll spend of my nights in a bar
And doggone my soul, they won't leave me alone
Oh, keeps reminding me when I was so far from home
Oh, those heartbreakin', edgemakin' country songs
That take me back to hardwood floors
And outdoor johns and mason jars
It's all I can believe, to believe that it's gone
Those hard rockin', rock and rollin' life that I've known
The dancing stops, but the music she goes on
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
Oh, the dancing's over, but the music she goes on
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
The dancing stops, but the music she goes on
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
The dancing's over, but the music she goes on
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
In Gene Vincent's "How I Love Them Old Songs," the lyrics speak to the power of music to bring comfort and evoke memories. The song is about the singer's deep love for old rock and roll songs that remind him of a simpler, more carefree time. The lyrics mention the double-eagle guitar, a reference to the distinctive guitar style of Carl Perkins, a rockabilly musician who was one of Vincent's contemporaries. The singer reminisces about spending nights in a bar, playing songs on a jukebox until the honky tonk closed. The music takes him back to memories of home, country life, and a bygone era.
The verses describe the emotional power of country and rock music to transport the listener back in time. The lyrics mention "heartbreakin', edgemakin' country songs" that bring back memories of hardship and struggle. The line "It's all I can believe, to believe that it's gone" speaks to the nostalgia and sadness that many listeners feel when they think about the music and culture of the past. The song ultimately celebrates the enduring power of rock and roll, even as the era it represents fades away.
Line by Line Meaning
Doggone my soul, how I love them old songs
Expressing deep admiration for old songs.
Oh, they were a comfort to me when I was alone
Old songs used to provide comfort in lonely times.
The dancing stops, but the music she goes on
The music remains even after the dancing ends.
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll, hey
Expressing deep admiration for rock and roll music.
And when I hear that double-eagle guitar
The sound of the double-eagle guitar brings back memories.
Makes me think of Carl Parkins when he was a star
Reminiscing about Carl Parkins when he was famous.
Makes me think I'll spend of my nights in a bar
Gets the feeling of spending nights in a bar listening to music.
Playin' that old juke box until the honky tonk's locked up
Enjoying the old juke box music until the honky tonk closes.
And doggone my soul, they won't leave me alone
Memories of old songs keep coming back.
Oh, keeps reminding me when I was so far from home
Reminded of being away from home when he hears old songs.
Oh, those heartbreakin', edgemakin' country songs
Referring to the emotional and deep country songs.
That take me back to hardwood floors
Brings back memories of dancing on hardwood floors.
And outdoor johns and mason jars
Reminisces of the times when outdoor johns and mason jars were the norm.
It's all I can believe, to believe that it's gone
Can't believe that those old times and things are gone.
Those hard rockin', rock and rollin' life that I've known
Referring to the exciting rock and roll lifestyle he used to experience.
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
Expressing deep admiration for rock and roll music.
Oh, the dancing's over, but the music she goes on
The music continues, even after the end of the dancing.
Doggone my soul, how I love rock and roll
Expressing deep admiration for rock and roll music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICKEY NEWBURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrMoncale
Inoubliable chanteur de rock avec une voix et un style particuliers
Brian V Cox
Not sure who I like best, Gene or Eddie Both were some of my most favorites, Hell, I love them both!! Always have!
Jean-Bernard LALANNE
A ne pas oublier... This is so awsome!
ALAIN ZILKA
Excellente chanson
MOUSTACHE48
merci pour ces photos qui me rappellent son passage à l Olympia et au Golf Drout quel groupe l accompagne les Lionceaux?
Oleg Kostoglotov
B-side from his last single.
KRAUZE MICHEL
Certaines photos les Sunlights !!!