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.
High School Confidential
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's your lover boy me that's a knockin'
Why don't you listen to me, sugar
All the cats are at the High School rockin'
Honey, get your boppin' shoes
Before the juke box blows a fuse
Hey everbody hoppin', everybody boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Hoppin' at the High School Hop
Rockin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin', everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Come on little baby, let's rock a little bit tonight
Woo, I got get with you, sugar, let's shake things up tonight
Well the heart beatin' rhythm
And my feet are moving smooth and light
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Movin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin', everybody's rocking
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Well, let me tell you something baby
I'm gonna give you some good news
Lookee here, sweet mama, let's burn off both our shoes
My hearts beatin' rhythm and my soul is singin' the blues
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Jumpin' at the High School Hop
Rollin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin', everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shaking' at the High School Hop
Movin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's boppin', everybody's hoppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
The lyrics of “High School Confidential” are catchy and fun, featuring a protagonist who is inviting others to join in on the boppin’ and rockin’ at the high school dance. Beginning with the singer knocking on a lover’s door and urging them to join the party at the high school dance, the song rolls into its main theme. The singer then asks everyone to put on their dancing shoes before the jukebox blows a fuse from all the hopping and bopping. The song then repeats the chorus several times, with the singer stating that everyone is jumping, rolling, shaking, and moving at the high school hop. The singer is clearly having a great time dancing and singing the blues, and wants everyone else to feel the same way. The song represents an upbeat, carefree and joyful time that many people associate with high school dances.
One interesting fact about the song is that although it was credited to Jerry Lee Lewis and his cousin J.W. Brown, it was reportedly written by Ron Hargrave, who was Lewis’s bassist at Sun Records at the time. Another interesting fact about the song is its potential influence on social politics during the era. The song was written during a time of increased tension in the civil rights movement, and the dances themselves often served as an example of peaceful coexistence between black and white students. “High School Confidential” was also the title of a 1958 movie starring Mamie Van Doren about the dangers of jazz music in high schools.
Line by Line Meaning
Well open up, honey
It's your lover boy me that's a knockin'
Jerry Lee Lewis is knocking on his lover's door and asking her to listen to him.
Why don't you listen to me, sugar
All the cats are at the High School rockin'
He's trying to convince his lover to go rock with him instead of staying back.
Honey, get your boppin' shoes
Before the juke box blows a fuse
He's asking his lover to put on her dancing shoes before the jukebox goes out of order.
Hey everbody hoppin', everybody boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shakin' at the High School Hop
Everyone is dancing and Jerry Lee Lewis is singing about the lively atmosphere of the High School Hop.
Come on little baby, let's rock a little bit tonight
Woo, I got get with you, sugar, let's shake things up tonight
Well the heart beatin' rhythm
And my feet are moving smooth and light
He's asking his lover to rock and shake with him while describing the excitement he's feeling with the music and how he's dancing along smoothly and lightly.
Well, let me tell you something baby
I'm gonna give you some good news
Lookee here, sweet mama, let's burn off both our shoes
My hearts beatin' rhythm and my soul is singin' the blues
Jerry Lee Lewis is getting more excited and inviting his lover to dance with him until they feel like their shoes have burnt off, all because he's loving the music so much that it's making his soul feel blue.
Jumpin' at the High School Hop
Rollin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's hoppin', everybody's boppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Jerry Lee Lewis is describing everyone's excited movements and their energetic dancing, further emphasizing the fun environment of the High School Hop.
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Shaking' at the High School Hop
Movin' at the High School Hop
Everybody's boppin', everybody's hoppin'
Boppin' at the High School Hop
Jerry Lee Lewis repeats his previous lyrics to reinforce the message of everyone's enthusiastic dancing and to encapsulate the lively feeling of the High School Hop.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jerry Lee Lewis, Ron Hargrave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind