Returning to Clarksdale from army service in 1947, Brenston learned to play the tenor saxophone, linking up with Ike Turner in 1950 as sax player and occasional singer in his band. The local success of Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm prompted B.B. King to recommend them to studio owner Sam Phillips in Memphis, where the band made several recordings in early March 1951, including “Rocket 88” on which Brenston sang lead and which he was credited with writing.
Phillips passed the recordings on to Chess Records in Chicago, who released "Rocket 88" as by "Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats", rather than under Turner’s name. The record soon reached # 1 on the R&B charts. Because of its theme, sound, success and influence across different markets, it has often been suggested as the first rock and roll record, although there are numerous other candidates. Phillips used the success of the record to start Sun Records the following year.
After one further recording session, Brenston and Turner parted company, and Brenston went on to perform in Lowell Fulson’s band for two years. He returned to play in Turner’s band from 1955 to 1962. Although he occasionally sang with the band, Turner apparently forbade him from singing “Rocket 88”.
By now an alcoholic, Brenston continued playing in local bands. After a final recording session with Earl Hooker in 1963, he worked occasionally as a truck driver before a fatal heart attack at the age of 49.
Rocket ‘88’
Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've heard the noise they make
But let me introduce you to my Rocket '88
Yes it's great, just won't wait
Everybody likes my Rocket '88
Baby we'll ride in style
Movin' all along
Black convertible top and the gals don't mind
Sportin' with me, ridin' all around town for joy
Blow your horn, Raymond blow your horn
Step in my Rocket and don't be late
Baby we're pullin' out about a half-past-eight
Goin' on the corner and havin' some fun
Everybody in my car is going to take a little nip
Ooh, goin' out
Oozin' and cruisin' along
The song "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston is a classic blues tune that celebrates the thrill of a fast hot rod automobile that was popular in the 1950s. The lyrics are simple yet catchy, with an upbeat rhythm that galvanizes the spirit of the era. The first stanza introduces the car as a Rocket 88 that is better than a jalopy, with a V-8 motor and modern design that delivers an exhilarating ride. The singer is proud of his car and everyone seems to love it. The chorus repeats the phrase "Baby we'll ride in style, movin' all along" which highlights the spirit of adventure and excitement that a fast car can bring.
The second stanza is about the details of the car, and Brenston describes the black convertible top and how the girls like to ride with him. The music shifts to a more melodic tone as Brenston sings about the joys of cruising around town, honking the horn and having fun with friends. He invites listeners to join in and have a good time, promising a little nip of alcohol to go along with the fun. The final line of "oozin' and cruisin' along" captures the free-spirited excitement of being on the open road, riding in a fast car.
Line by Line Meaning
You may have heard of jalopies
You might have come across old cars that make horrible noises
You've heard the noise they make
You know how loud and unpleasant the sound of those old cars is
But let me introduce you to my Rocket '88
Let me acquaint you with my own car, the Rocket '88
Yes it's great, just won't wait
It's really amazing and doesn't wait for anyone
Everybody likes my Rocket '88
Everyone appreciates my car - it's that good!
Baby we'll ride in style
We'll travel in luxury and elegance
Movin' all along
We'll keep moving forwards
V-8 motor and this modern design
It's got a powerful V-8 engine and a contemporary outlook
Black convertible top and the gals don't mind
The roof can be removed, and the ladies love it too
Sportin' with me, ridin' all around town for joy
They enjoy being with me, and we have fun cruising in the city
Blow your horn, Raymond blow your horn
Honk the horn, Raymond, honk it loud!
Step in my Rocket and don't be late
Get in the car without any delays and let's go!
Baby we're pullin' out about a half-past-eight
We're leaving at 8:30 PM
Goin' on the corner and havin' some fun
We're off to a lively place and gonna have a good time
Everybody in my car is going to take a little nip
We're all going to drink something together
Ooh, goin' out
Oh yes, we're going out
Oozin' and cruisin' along
We're smoothly moving and cruising with the car
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network
Written by: JACKIE BRENSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Brazilian Atlantis
The downright absurd (if you know 1947-1950 music, such as "Rock The Joint" by Chris Powell) idea that "Rocket 88" was the first rock and roll recording was popularized by its producer Sam Phillips himself, because he really liked the idea that he was the "man who invented rock and roll" (conveniently forgetting that he opened his studio in 1950, after recordings like "Boogie At Midnight" by Roy Brown were already top ten nationally on the R&B charts).
Some of us are old enough to remember that before the gullible press had been inundated with Phillips' self-serving claim -- he was underway with that by 1975, but it took a while for it to get it rolling -- people wrote things like this:
"the Comets... became the world's very first rock 'n' roll group" -- After The Ball by Whitcomb, 1972.
"Elvis Presley [was] the first rock-and-roll singer to gain national attention." -- Instant Millionaires by Gunther, 1973.
"Whether 'Sh-Boom' or 'Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash' was the first rock-and-roll recording is a chronological-musicological quibble...." -- A Social History Of Rock Music by Grossman, 1976.
"Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock,' the first rock record...." -- Freakshow: The Rocksoulblues...._ by Albert Goldman, 1971.
"'Sh-Boom' by the Crew Cuts... which several people pin point as the first rock and roll song" -- Billboard, 5/27/72.
"Rock & roll... had its birth in 1951 with Alan Freed's use of the term" -- Rock by Jahn, 1973. (Not to be confused with what the black deejay Leroy White was playing on his hit show "Rocking With Leroy" earlier.)
"[Haley] had the first Rock and Roll hit in history." -- The Conceptual Approach To Rock Music by Grier, 1974.
"Bill Haley and the Comets[']... 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'... became what is considered the first rock-and-roll hit." -- Mass Media by Glessing and White, 1976.
"Haley's 'Crazy, Man, Crazy' [from 1953] is credited as being the first rock 'n' roll hit." -- The Pop Industry Inside Out by Cable, 1977. (As opposed to e.g. Jimmy Preston's 1949 R&B top ten hit nationally "Rock The Joint," or Kay Starr's 1950 pop top ten hit nationally "Oh Babe.")
"'Crazy Man Crazy,' the first rock 'n' roll record to enter U.S. charts." -- The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Rock by Logan and Woffinden, 1978.
"... the entry of the first rock record ever into the chart -- Crazy Man Crazy in 1953" -- The Illustrated History Of Rock Music by Pascall, 1978.
"Bill Haley... was the first boss of rock." Awopbop.. by Cohn, 1970.
"'Sh-boom,' the first rock 'n' roll hit" -- The Rock Revolution by Arnold Shaw, 1969.
"I feel gratified that rock historians like Carl Belz and others have singled out 'Sh-Boom' as the first rock 'n' roll hit. I hasten to assure the reader that the designation is accurate...." -- The Rockin' '50s by Arnold Shaw, 1974.
"The Crew Cuts[' 'Sh-Boom'] is now considered to be the first rock and roll hit...." -- The Book Of Golden Discs by Murrells, 1978.
"Frankie Laine, the first rock-and-roll singer..." -- Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 1962.
"We might also say that the Boswell Sisters were the first rock 'n' roll singers" -- _Life_, 7/7/72.
Wow, that's a lot of white people. The old days, when writers on rock and roll were as incompetent as today, but differently.
Black musicians who could remember the early days of rock and roll were quoted back then, ever. Here's Red Tyler in John Broven's 1978 book Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans: "As I recall, prior to [Roy Brown in about 1948] there were no big rock 'n' roll artists in the stature of Roy Brown...." Apparently Tyler hadn't even got the memo yet that white people must have had something to do with "rock and roll" being invented. Just as Erline "Rock And Roll" Harris hadn't when she was using that nickname publicly in late 1949 when she recorded "Jump And Shout," without even politely waiting for Hardrock Gunter to record the earliest rockabilly the following year, thereby making rock and roll possible.
Rowland108
This is Ike Turner's King of Rhythm band recorded at Sun in Memphis in 1951 & leased to Chess. Jackie was tenor sax in the band along with Raymond Hill who gets the name check "blow your horn Raymond" The tune was adapted by Ike from Jimmy Liggins "Cadillac Boogie that Jimmy recorded in LA in 1947.
Mike Mangan
This is the original and today some 57 years later still remains The Classic Rock and Roll song!!!
Elina Mutanen
Loving this since I was 16 years old. <3
Long time ago. :-)
willpn100
"Rocket 88" by Turner is r&b. "Rocket 88" by Bill Haley is "rockabilly", in other words, r&b uptempo. On Ike´s version saxophone was featured on Haley´s version guitar was featured. Bill Haley standardized rock and roll music.
Patrick Goddeyne
Thanks for the upload, this song is featured in my textbook for rock and roll history and Youtube is delivering.
SoulCat NJ
This is Just the Best One Of My Favs This was one of Elvis favorites When he was a kid and you know that story Just the story "about" this song is legendary
The Brazilian Atlantis
The downright absurd (if you know 1947-1950 music, such as "Rock The Joint" by Chris Powell) idea that "Rocket 88" was the first rock and roll recording was popularized by its producer Sam Phillips himself, because he really liked the idea that he was the "man who invented rock and roll" (conveniently forgetting that he opened his studio in 1950, after recordings like "Boogie At Midnight" by Roy Brown were already top ten nationally on the R&B charts).
Some of us are old enough to remember that before the gullible press had been inundated with Phillips' self-serving claim -- he was underway with that by 1975, but it took a while for it to get it rolling -- people wrote things like this:
"the Comets... became the world's very first rock 'n' roll group" -- After The Ball by Whitcomb, 1972.
"Elvis Presley [was] the first rock-and-roll singer to gain national attention." -- Instant Millionaires by Gunther, 1973.
"Whether 'Sh-Boom' or 'Your Cash Ain't Nothin' but Trash' was the first rock-and-roll recording is a chronological-musicological quibble...." -- A Social History Of Rock Music by Grossman, 1976.
"Bill Haley's 'Rock Around the Clock,' the first rock record...." -- Freakshow: The Rocksoulblues...._ by Albert Goldman, 1971.
"'Sh-Boom' by the Crew Cuts... which several people pin point as the first rock and roll song" -- Billboard, 5/27/72.
"Rock & roll... had its birth in 1951 with Alan Freed's use of the term" -- Rock by Jahn, 1973. (Not to be confused with what the black deejay Leroy White was playing on his hit show "Rocking With Leroy" earlier.)
"[Haley] had the first Rock and Roll hit in history." -- The Conceptual Approach To Rock Music by Grier, 1974.
"Bill Haley and the Comets[']... 'Shake, Rattle and Roll'... became what is considered the first rock-and-roll hit." -- Mass Media by Glessing and White, 1976.
"Haley's 'Crazy, Man, Crazy' [from 1953] is credited as being the first rock 'n' roll hit." -- The Pop Industry Inside Out by Cable, 1977. (As opposed to e.g. Jimmy Preston's 1949 R&B top ten hit nationally "Rock The Joint," or Kay Starr's 1950 pop top ten hit nationally "Oh Babe.")
"'Crazy Man Crazy,' the first rock 'n' roll record to enter U.S. charts." -- The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Rock by Logan and Woffinden, 1978.
"... the entry of the first rock record ever into the chart -- Crazy Man Crazy in 1953" -- The Illustrated History Of Rock Music by Pascall, 1978.
"Bill Haley... was the first boss of rock." Awopbop.. by Cohn, 1970.
"'Sh-boom,' the first rock 'n' roll hit" -- The Rock Revolution by Arnold Shaw, 1969.
"I feel gratified that rock historians like Carl Belz and others have singled out 'Sh-Boom' as the first rock 'n' roll hit. I hasten to assure the reader that the designation is accurate...." -- The Rockin' '50s by Arnold Shaw, 1974.
"The Crew Cuts[' 'Sh-Boom'] is now considered to be the first rock and roll hit...." -- The Book Of Golden Discs by Murrells, 1978.
"Frankie Laine, the first rock-and-roll singer..." -- Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 1962.
"We might also say that the Boswell Sisters were the first rock 'n' roll singers" -- _Life_, 7/7/72.
Wow, that's a lot of white people. The old days, when writers on rock and roll were as incompetent as today, but differently.
Black musicians who could remember the early days of rock and roll were quoted back then, ever. Here's Red Tyler in John Broven's 1978 book Rhythm and Blues In New Orleans: "As I recall, prior to [Roy Brown in about 1948] there were no big rock 'n' roll artists in the stature of Roy Brown...." Apparently Tyler hadn't even got the memo yet that white people must have had something to do with "rock and roll" being invented. Just as Erline "Rock And Roll" Harris hadn't when she was using that nickname publicly in late 1949 when she recorded "Jump And Shout," without even politely waiting for Hardrock Gunter to record the earliest rockabilly the following year, thereby making rock and roll possible.
spencerjames55
Just read that this was the first Rock n Roll toon so thought id check it out...Yep, ill buy that. All the ingredients, gals, cars, booze and a great groove. I have now officially re-defined my timeline of Rock n Roll, previously believing that 1954/55 was the start...unless theres something a bit earlier to look at ?????
Walt Fechter
This one's for Little Steven (The Underground Garage). Thank you, Alan Freed and the 1st Moondog Coronation Ball (1952 in Cleveland, OH). I was born on that same night (in Cleveland, OH).
Maria Eduarda Goettens
wow... adorei!