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.
Let The Good Times Roll
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes it's more comfortable to be sad
That's why I like this song
Mmm
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Come on baby
Mmm
Came on baby
Let the good times roll.
Roll on and on
Come on baby
Let me hold you tight
Tell me everything is right tonight
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Roll on and on
I feel so good
Mmm
In your arms
Sugar baby
You're my good luck charms
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Come on baby
Let me thrill your soul
Come on, come on, baby
Let the good times roll
Roll on and on
Come on baby while the thrill is on
Come on baby let us have some fun
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Roll on and on
Come on baby let's close the door
Come on baby let us sweat some more
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Roll on and on
You know I, you know I feel so good
And I'll let you hold
Come on baby
Rock me all night long
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Come on baby
Let it thrill your soul
Come on baby
Let the good times roll
Roll on and on
Come on baby
The lyrics to Jerry Lee Lewis’s song Let the Good Times Roll speak about the desire for happiness despite feeling comfortable in sadness. The singer acknowledges the difficulty in achieving happiness but loves this song as it gives hope and makes him feel good. The chorus encourages the listener to let loose and enjoy life by letting the good times roll, thrilling the soul and holding one tight. The lyrics express the idea of indulging in pleasure and forgetting about any problems or negatives in life, summarized in the final line “Come on baby, let the good times roll!”
The song has a joyous and energetic feel to it which is conveyed through the repetitive, upbeat melody and the use of “mmms” and “ahs” by the singer. The song’s lyrics reflect the upbeat feel and inspire the listener to dance and sing along. Lewis’s performance style is evident through his unique voice and the piano riffs that he adds into the song. Overall, Let the Good Times Roll is a timeless song that promotes the message of enjoying life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not easy to be happy
Happiness is not always easy to come by
Sometimes it's more comfortable to be sad
There are times when it's easier to be sad than to try to be happy
That's why I like this song
Jerry Lee Lewis finds this song enjoyable because it promotes happiness
Come on baby
Jerry Lee Lewis is urging his partner to join him in his quest for happiness
Let the good times roll
They should let the good times continue to roll and enjoy themselves
Let me thrill your soul
Jerry Lee Lewis wants to excite his partner's spirit and elicit a positive reaction
Roll on and on
Jerry Lee Lewis would like the good times to continue indefinitely
Let me hold you tight
Jerry Lee Lewis wants to embrace his partner tightly
Tell me everything is right tonight
Jerry Lee Lewis wants to ensure his partner that everything will be okay tonight
I feel so good
Jerry Lee Lewis is energized by the positive atmosphere and is feeling great
In your arms
Jerry Lee Lewis is finding comfort and safety in his partner's embrace
Sugar baby
An affectionate nickname for Jerry Lee Lewis's partner
You're my good luck charms
Jerry Lee Lewis considers his partner to be a source of good fortune
Come on baby while the thrill is on
Jerry Lee Lewis wants his partner to take advantage of the current exciting situation
Let us have some fun
Jerry Lee Lewis simply wants to have a good time with his partner
Let's close the door
Jerry Lee Lewis wants to be alone with his partner and enjoy each other's company
Let us sweat some more
Jerry Lee Lewis wants to continue dancing and having a good time
You know I, you know I feel so good
Jerry Lee Lewis is having a great time and wants his partner to know it
Rock me all night long
Jerry Lee Lewis wants his partner to hold him close and dance with him all night
Let it thrill your soul
Jerry Lee Lewis wants his partner to let the positive energy excite and uplift their spirit
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Leonard Lee, Shirley Goodman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind