Jailhouse Rock
Jeff Beck & Rod Stewart Lyrics
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The prison band was there, and they began to wail
The band began to-jumping, they began to swing
You should have heard the knock down jailbird sing
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Oh everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock
You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
So come and do the jailhouse rock with me
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Oh everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock, yeah!
Spider Murphy played on the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on a slide trombone
Drummer boy from Illinois was crash-a-bam boomin'
The whole rhythm section was the purple gang
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock
Listen
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock, yeah!
Everybody in the whole cell block
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
C'mon
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse
The lyrics of Jeff Beck Group’s “Jailhouse Rock” describe a wild party thrown by the warden at the county jail, with the prison band providing the music. The band plays jumping and swinging tunes that get the entire cell block dancing to the jailhouse rock. One particular jailbird, number forty-seven, expresses his admiration for number three, who is the “cutest jailbird” he’s ever seen, and asks her to dance with him. The song introduces us to the different members of the prison band, including Spider Murphy on tenor saxophone, Little Joe on slide trombone, and a drummer boy from Illinois who’s “crash-a-bam booming.” The whole rhythm section comes together as the purple gang, providing the upbeat tempo for the track.
When we examine the lyrics of “Jailhouse Rock,” we see that it is a fun and lighthearted song about the lively atmosphere of a house party. The playful lyrics and catchy rhythm make it an enjoyable song to dance and sing along to. The lyrics are built around a party setting, and the characters each play a specific role in the song, from the warden throwing a party to the prison band providing the tunes to the inmates getting their groove on to the jailhouse rock. By highlighting the different members of the band and their instruments, the lyrics contribute to the song’s overall celebratory mood.
Line by Line Meaning
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden organized a party in the county jail
The prison band was there, and they began to wail
The band of the prison was present and started playing jazz music
The band began to-jumping, they began to swing
The band started jumping and swinging while playing the music
You should have heard the knock down jailbird sing
One should have listened to the prisoner who sang
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Let's all dance and have a good time
Oh everybody in the whole cell block
Everyone in the cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the music in the prison
Number forty-seven said to number three
Prisoner forty-seven told prisoner three
You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
You are the most attractive prisoner I have ever seen
I sure would be delighted with your company
I would be happy to spend time with you
So come and do the jailhouse rock with me
Let's dance together to the music
Spider Murphy played on the tenor saxophone
Spider Murphy played music on the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on a slide trombone
Little Joe was playing the slide trombone
Drummer boy from Illinois was crash-a-bam boomin'
The drummer boy from Illinois was playing loud and intense music
The whole rhythm section was the purple gang
The entire band played music with a consistent rhythm and style
Listen
Listen to the music
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the music in the prison
Everybody in the whole cell block
Everyone in the cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock, yeah!
Dancing to the music in the prison with enthusiasm
C'mon
Come on, let's continue dancing
Lyrics © BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lordsong7
Among the greatest guitar solo's in classic rock history.
Purple Dynasty
Not only was Rod Stewart in this band, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones guitarist) was the bass player. He should have remained on bass, he was quite good as you can hear even on this short cover. Even his tone was excellent.
nyg1954
Yeah as they say, as a guitar player Wood was a great
bassist.
pitprince13
Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ronny Wood, Cozy Powell. This song will never be the same. Thank God !
nyg1954
Not Cozy Powell, Tony Newman.
dn41144
Love Ronnie's funked up bass work.
Anthony Burnam
Who is playing that bass? That mettalic groan. I can relate to this stuff. Damn Jeff. You were an outstanding lead guitar player. You looked like a rock God guitar player too. RIP brother. For God's they were...
samuel biskin
love the crazy piano solo
Brian DE MEYER
Nicky Hopkins on the keyboard? A truely super group
David Zimmerli
Rock as it was meant to be played .... SCALDING !!!!