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.
I Flipped
Gene Vincent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped
I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped
I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped
I flipped my lane, I be in my town
When I get a-rollin' on a real cool bop
I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped
Well my baby wandered in about a quarter to nine
A-put it to me right on the line
She said you're square, join the ol' rat-race
And come on hit the beat at a rapid pace
My-oh-my and slow-girl-slow
A-come and get with it and go-girl-go
Go!
Well, I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
I slipped her calm, I swivel my back
Makin' like a jumping Jack
I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
(Rock it Blue Caps)
The song "I Flipped" by Gene Vincent is a classic rock and roll tune that captures the essence of teenage rebellion and the desire for freedom that was commonly shared among young people in the 1950s. The lyrics describe the singer as he experiences a sense of exhilaration and liberation through music and dancing, which he refers to as "flipping." The song also touches on themes of love and societal expectations, as the singer's girlfriend urges him to conform to the norms of society and join the "rat race." Overall, "I Flipped" is a catchy and fun rock and roll song that highlights the spirit of youth and rebellion that defined the era.
The repetition of the phrase "I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped" throughout the song serves to emphasize the singer's excitement and energy as he dances and enjoys the music. The line "I flipped my lane" can be interpreted as the singer breaking out of his usual routine and letting loose on the dance floor. When his girlfriend arrives and urges him to conform to societal expectations, he responds by slipping away and continuing to dance and "flip" to the beat of the music.
In summary, the song "I Flipped" is a classic rock and roll tune that captures the spirit of youth and rebellion that defined the 1950s. The lyrics describe the singer's sense of exhilaration and liberation through music and dancing, as well as his resistance to societal pressures to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I flipped-flipped, flipped-a-flipped
The singer is emphasizing the fact that he is flipping out, and is expressing that he is extremely excited!
I flipped my lane, I be in my town
The singer is saying that he is in his hometown, and he is driving quickly, jumping from lane to lane.
When I get a-rollin' on a real cool bop
The singer is saying that when he finds a cool groove, he really gets into it, and starts singing to the music.
Well my baby wandered in about a quarter to nine
The singer is saying that his girlfriend came to see him at around 9'o'clock in the evening.
A-put it to me right on the line
The singer is saying that his girlfriend is being very honest with him, and saying what she really thinks.
She said you're square, join the ol' rat-race
The singer's girlfriend tells him that he is not cool, and that he should try to be more like everyone else around him.
And come on hit the beat at a rapid pace
The singer's girlfriend tells him to start dancing quickly and energetically to the music.
My-oh-my and slow-girl-slow
The singer is saying that he is taking it slow, while his girlfriend wants to move very fast and quickly.
A-come and get with it and go-girl-go
The singer is telling his girlfriend to come along with him and get excited about the music, letting loose and enjoying themselves.
Well, I slipped-slipped, slipped-a-slipped
The singer is saying that he is slipping and sliding around on the dance floor, really getting into the music and having a good time.
I slipped her calm, I swivel my back
The singer is saying that he was able to calm his girlfriend down, and then started really showing off his smooth dance moves.
Makin' like a jumping Jack
The singer is saying that he is jumping and moving around like a toy that kids play with, to show off his energy on the dance floor.
(Rock it Blue Caps)
The singer is shouting out to his band, The Blue Caps, to keep rocking and playing great music.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILL HICKS, BOBBIE CARROL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind