Thorogood cut his debut album titled Better Than the Rest in 1974, and released it that same year. In the autumn of 1976 he recorded his second album, the eponymous George Thorogood with his band, The Destroyers (sometimes also known as The Delaware Destroyers) and issued the album in 1977. Thorogood released his next album entitled Move It On Over in the autumn of 1978 with The Destroyers, which included the hit "Move It On Over" in 1978. "Please Set A Date" and "Who Do You Love" both followed in 1979.
During the 1980s, and 1990s, Thorogood recorded some of his most well known works, Bad To The Bone (used to great effect during the bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day), "I Drink Alone" (from his Maverick album), "You Talk Too Much", and "If You Don't Start Drinking, I'm Gonna Leave".
Thorogood is best known for his animated stage presence and loud, raucous electric guitar playing. He is also known as "Lonesome George".
House Of Blue Lights
George Thorogood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a knocked out shack on the edge of town
There's an eight beat combo that just won't quit
Keep walkin' 'til you see a blue light lit
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
At the house of blue lights
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
We'll have a time and we'll cut some rug
While we dig those tunes like they should be dug
It's a real home comin' for all the "Cats"
Just trilly down a path of welcome mats
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
At the house of blue lights
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
But the treat of the treats
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
The lyrics of George Thorogood and The Destroyers' song "House of Blue Lights" transports the listener to a vibrant and lively club. The song opens with an invitation to lace up one's boots and visit a ramshackle yet enthralling shack located on the outskirts of town. The setting promises to be lively, with an eight-beat combination that just won't quit. The blue light serves as a beacon to guide the way towards the club's entrance. Once inside, patrons can expect a treat for their taste buds, with fryers and broilers serving up delectable Detroit barbecue ribs. However, the main attraction is the music, with the fine eight beats expected to get the feet tapping and the hips swaying.
The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the "house of blue lights" as a place where one can escape the mundane routine of everyday life and have a great time. References to various instruments such as the "eight-beat combo" bring to mind the big band and swing music popular in the early 20th century. The song's rhythm coupled with the upbeat melody lends itself to dancing, making it hard to resist cutting a rug. Overall, the song is a tribute to a bygone era of music and entertainment, where people could enjoy each other's company in full swing.
Line by Line Meaning
Lace up your boots and we'll broom on down
Put on your shoes and let's go down to a run-down shack on the outskirts of town
To a knocked out shack on the edge of town
To a dilapidated building located in the less developed part of town
There's an eight beat combo that just won't quit
There's a band playing an upbeat style of music that's hard to resist
Keep walkin' 'til you see a blue light lit
Continue walking until you see a blue light turned on
Fall in there and we'll see some sights
Enter the building and experience some exciting things
At the house of blue lights
At the venue where the blue light is displayed
There's fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs
There's a variety of food available, including fried and grilled items, as well as Detroit-style barbecue ribs
But the treat of the treats
But the best part is
Is when they serve you all those fine eight beats
When the band plays their energetic and enjoyable music
You'll want to spend the rest of your brights
You'll want to stay at the house of blue lights for the rest of the night
Down at the house, the house of blue lights
At the venue where the blue light is displayed
We'll have a time and we'll cut some rug
We'll have a great time and dance energetically
While we dig those tunes like they should be dug
While we enjoy the music to its fullest extent
It's a real home comin' for all the "Cats"
It feels like a homecoming event for all the music enthusiasts
Just trilly down a path of welcome mats
Just follow the welcoming path to the venue
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON RAYE, FREDDIE SLACK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Kauffman
He’s like the heavy version of Chuck Berry, I always loved this version the best, it’s like blues and rhythm meets punk!!
Grady Bird
Chuck Berry is exactly who I thought of! Old-time rock and roll!
Owen Hiber
This never gets old.
Robert Dunham
Never disappoints...
Maria Esperanza Martinez Diaz
Exelente guitarrista
Dave White
I can relate to his great music
Dan Johnson
This has me in tears of joy!
Papa MediaManiac
Lonesome George is Awesome.......... This Guy knows how to Rock the House
Jett Crash
Absolutely--he's a master showman, for sure.
Claire Gutridge
The very first song he did on this tour!!!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍