Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S. died … Read Full Bio ↴Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S. died October 28, 2022 in DeSoto County, Mississippi) was an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist, as well as an early pioneer of rock and roll music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2022. his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. His nickname is The Killer.

Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."

Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.

Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.

Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.

As Long as I Live
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gonna tell aunt Mary, 'bout uncle John,
He claim he has the misery but he's havin' a lot of fun,
Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight.

Well, long tall Sally, she's built for speed,
She's got everything that uncle John need,
Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight.

Well, I saw uncle John with bald headed Sally,

He saw aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley,
Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight.

We're gonna have some fun tonight,
We're gonna have some fun tonight,
Woo, have some fun tonight,

Everything's all right,
Have some fun, have me some fun tonight!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jerry Lee Lewis’s song, “As Long as I Live,” depict a carefree night of entertainment and fun. It opens with the singer intending to disclose to his Aunt Mary about Uncle John, who claims he is miserable, but in reality, he is having a grand time. The lyrics suggest that Uncle John is out, probably drinking or engaging in other leisure activities, most likely with a lady he is interested in. The chorus is an upbeat and catchy repetition of the phrase “Havin’ me some fun tonight,” which helps set the tone of the song.

The second verse introduces the character “long tall Sally,” who is built for speed and has everything Uncle John needs. The lyrics metaphorically allude that Uncle John is pursuing Sally, and the lyrics portray him as both happy and content. In the final verse, the singer sees Uncle John with a woman named Bald Headed Sally, and Uncle John takes cover when he notices Aunt Mary coming, indicating a secretive relationship. The song concludes with the same catchy refrain that emphasizes the enjoyment of life with the lyrics, "We're gonna have some fun tonight, Woo, have some fun tonight, Everything's all right."

Line by Line Meaning

Gonna tell aunt Mary, 'bout uncle John
I am planning to inform aunt Mary about uncle John, his situation.

He claim he has the misery but he's havin' a lot of fun
Although Uncle John claims to be unhappy, he is having a great time.

Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight
I am enjoying myself greatly tonight.

Well, long tall Sally, she's built for speed
Long tall Sally is incredibly fast.

She's got everything that uncle John need
Uncle John has everything he desires from Long Tall Sally.

Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight
I am still having an amazing time.

Well, I saw uncle John with bald headed Sally
I witnessed Uncle John in the company of Bald Headed Sally.

He saw aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley
Upon seeing Aunt Mary, Uncle John quickly retreated into the alley.

Oh baby, yes baby, woo baby, havin' me some fun tonight
I am continuing to enjoy myself.

We're gonna have some fun tonight
We are going to have a great time tonight.

Woo, have some fun tonight
Let us have some fun tonight.