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.
Slippin' & Slidin'
Gene Vincent Lyrics
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Peepin' and hidin'
Been told a long time ago
Slippin' and slidin'
Peepin' and hidin'
Been told a long time ago
Baby you've been bold
I won't be your fool no more
Oh, big conniver
Nothin' but a jive
Done got hip to your jive
Oh, big conniver
Nothin' but a jive
Done got hip to your jive
Slippin' and slidin'
Peepin' and hidin'
Won't be your feel no more
Oh, Malinda
She's a solid sender
You know you better surrender
Oh, Malinda
She's a solid sender
You know you better surrender
Slippin' and slidin'
Peepin' and hidin'
Won't be your fool no more
Slippin' and slidin'
Peepin' and hidin'
Been told a long time ago
Slippin' and slidin'
Peepin' and hidin'
Been told a long time ago
I've been told
Baby you've been bold
I won't be your fool no more
The lyrics of Gene Vincent & The Shouts' "Slippin' and Slidin'" describe a man who has finally caught onto the manipulative ways of a woman he once trusted. He is tired of her deceitful behavior and is refusing to allow her to take advantage of him any longer. The chorus repeats the lines "Slippin' and slidin', peepin' and hidin', been told a long time ago" to emphasize that the woman's true character has been known for a while. She has been warned before, and now the man is taking action to break free from her hold.
The two verses of the song specifically call out the woman's actions and his response to them. The first verse shares that the man has been told the woman's ways in the past and has had enough of her behavior. He is no longer willing to be her fool. The second verse calls her out as a "big conniver" who has been playing tricks and manipulating the man. But he is no longer ignorant to her jive talk and is not going to put up with it anymore. The lyrics are straightforward and blunt, which shows how fed up the man is.
Overall, the song is a relatable story of a person breaking free from a toxic relationship. The words are sharp and direct, and the chorus is catchy and memorable. Gene Vincent & The Shouts tell this story with an early rock and roll sound that complements the straight-to-the-point lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Slippin' and slidin'
Slipping and sliding, struggling in life
Peepin' and hidin'
Sneaking and hiding, acting dishonestly
Been told a long time ago
Advice was given a long time ago
I've been told
Someone has given me advice
Baby you've been bold
You have been daring and fearless
I won't be your fool no more
I will not be tricked or deceived anymore
Oh, big conniver
Deceitful person
Nothin' but a jive
Nothing but lies and nonsense
Done got hip to your jive
Become aware of your lies and deceit
Won't be your feel no more
Won't be your victim anymore
Oh, Malinda
Reference to a woman, possibly someone trustworthy
She's a solid sender
She's dependable and reliable
You know you better surrender
You should give up, stop lying and hiding
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Albert Collins, Edurin Bogage, James Smith, Richard Penniman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind