From a first single in 1979, the group successfully combined a pop rock and power pop (and sometimes, a blues rock) influenced backing with harmony side-vocals and Lewis' strident voice, and the band had numerous hit songs during the 1980s and early 1990s. These include "The Power of Love" and "Back in Time" (both of which were featured in the film "Back to the Future"), "I Want a New Drug", "Doin' It All (For My Baby)", "Do You Believe in Love?" "Hip to Be Square", "Stuck With You", and "Jacob's Ladder". Huey Lewis shared three Grammy awards, an American Music Award, and a People's Choice Award along with several artists for his role singing the 1985 charity song "We Are the World" as well.
=Albums=
Huey Lewis & the News (1980)
Picture This (1982) [#13 U.S. Gold]
Sports (1983) [#1 U.S. 7x Platinum]
Back to the Future Soundtrack (1985) [Gold]
Fore! (1986) [#1 U.S. 3x Platinum]
Small World (1988) [#11 U.S. Platinum]
Hard at Play (1991) [#27 U.S. Gold]
The Heart of Rock & Roll - The Best of Huey Lewis and The News (1992)
Four Chords & Several Years Ago (1994) [#55 U.S.]
Time Flies: The Best of Huey Lewis and the News (1996) [#185 U.S.]
Plan B (2001) [#165 U.S.]
Live at 25 (2005)
Greatest Hits & Videos (2006) [#70 U.S.]
www.hueylewisandthenews.com
Stagger Lee
Huey Lewis & The News Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the leaves came tumblin' down.
I was standin' on the corner
When I heard my bull dog bark.
He was barkin' at the two men
Who were gamblin' in the dark.
Two men who gambled late.
Stagger lee threw a seven,
Billy swore that he threw eight.
"Stagger Lee," said Billy,
"I can't let you go with that.
"You have won all my money,
"And my brand-new Stetson hat."
Stagger Lee went home
And he got his .44.
He said, "I'm goin' to the ballroom
"Just to pay that debt I owe."
Go, Stagger Lee
Stagger Lee went to the ballroom
And he strolled across the ballroom floor.
He said "You did me wrong, Billy."
And he pulled his .44.
"Stagger Lee," said Billy,
"Oh, please don't take my life!
"I've got three hungry children,
"And a very sickly wife."
Stagger Lee shot Billy
Oh, he shot that poor boy so hard
That a bullet went through Billy
And broke the bartender's bar.
Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee!
Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee!
The lyrics to Huey Lewis & The News's "Stagger Lee" are inspired by the traditional folk song "Stagger Lee" or "Stack O' Lee Blues," which has been reinterpreted by many musicians over the years. The song is a cautionary tale about the perils of gambling and the brutal consequences that can ensue. It tells the story of two men, Stagger Lee and Billy, who are gambling in the dark when a dispute arises over the outcome of the game.
Stagger Lee wins the game and Billy's money, as well as his brand new Stetson hat. Billy is understandably upset and demands that Stagger Lee return his money and hat, but Stagger Lee refuses. He goes home to get his gun, determined to settle the score. He heads to the ballroom where Billy is and shoots him, killing him instantly. The song ends with the refrain "Go, Stagger Lee," which conveys a sense of triumph or victory in the face of violence and tragedy.
Overall, the lyrics to "Stagger Lee" are a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of violence and the tragic consequences that can result from petty disputes and conflicts. The song is a reminder that even seemingly minor disagreements can escalate quickly and lead to disastrous outcomes, and that the pursuit of material gain at any cost can have grave consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
The night was clear, and the moon was yellow
It was a clear night with a bright yellow moon shining in the sky.
And the leaves came tumblin' down.
The leaves were falling from the trees.
I was standin' on the corner
The singer was standing on the street corner.
When I heard my bull dog bark.
The artist's dog started barking.
He was barkin' at the two men
The dog was barking at two men.
Who were gamblin' in the dark.
The two men were gambling in the darkness.
It was Stagger Lee and Billy,
The two men's names were Stagger Lee and Billy.
Two men who gambled late.
They were two men who gambled late into the night.
Stagger lee threw a seven,
Stagger Lee rolled a seven with the dice.
Billy swore that he threw eight.
Billy claimed that he had rolled an eight.
"Stagger Lee," said Billy,
Billy addressed Stagger Lee by name.
"I can't let you go with that.
Billy was unwilling to let Stagger Lee take the money and Stetson hat.
"You have won all my money,
Stagger Lee had won all of Billy's money.
"And my brand-new Stetson hat."
Stagger Lee had also won Billy's new Stetson hat.
Stagger Lee went home
Stagger Lee left and returned to his home.
And he got his .44.
He retrieved his .44 caliber handgun.
He said, "I'm goin' to the ballroom
Stagger Lee stated his intention to go to the ballroom.
"Just to pay that debt I owe."
Stagger Lee intended to use his gun to settle his debt with Billy.
Go, Stagger Lee
This line is a call of encouragement or approval for Stagger Lee.
Stagger Lee went to the ballroom
Stagger Lee arrived at the ballroom.
And he strolled across the ballroom floor.
Stagger Lee walked calmly across the dance floor.
He said "You did me wrong, Billy."
Stagger Lee confronted Billy and accused him of wronging him.
And he pulled his .44.
Stagger Lee pulled out his gun.
"Stagger Lee," said Billy,
Billy addressed Stagger Lee by name.
"Oh, please don't take my life!
Billy pleaded with Stagger Lee not to shoot him.
"I've got three hungry children,
Billy attempted to appeal to Stagger Lee's sympathy by mentioning his three hungry children.
"And a very sickly wife."
Billy also mentioned his sick wife.
Stagger Lee shot Billy
Stagger Lee fired his gun at Billy.
Oh, he shot that poor boy so hard
The force of the bullet was very strong.
That a bullet went through Billy
The bullet passed completely through Billy's body.
And broke the bartender's bar.
The bullet also broke the bar in the ballroom.
Go, Stagger Lee, go, Stagger Lee!
This line is again a call of encouragement or approval for Stagger Lee.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerome J. Garcia, Robert C. Hunter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bob Lawblaw
RIP Lloyd Price. He brought me here. Listening to every cover of this song. Huey Lewis' is one of the best. But if you want to find a hidden banger follow these steps.
1. find the James Brown version of Stagger Lee.
2. start the song at 0.85 speed.
3. Around the bridge of the song where Stagger Lee goes to the bar, speed the song up to 1.2
4. I promise you'll start dancing.