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.
Lewis Boogie
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna do you a little boogie on this here piano
Doing mighty fine, I'm gonna make you shake it
I'll make you do it and make you do it until you break it
It's called the Lewis boogie, in the Lewis way
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
Well, down in New Orleans, the land of dreams
The cats go wild, do a boogie that's hot
My boogie woogie makes you want to stop and do the bop
It's called the Lewis boogie, in the Lewis way
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
Aw,
Oh, boy!
Well, now let's cruise on down to old Memphis town
That's where that Presley boy said you ain't nothing but a hound
But now you take my boogie, it keeps you in the groove
Then your sacroiliac begins to shiver and a move
It's called the Lewis boogie, in the Lewis way
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
Oh, boogie woogie
When your hips start rockin'
And your knees start knockin'
Lewis boogie, Lewis way
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
Jerry Lee Lewis's "Lewis Boogie" is a boogie-woogie piano piece that celebrates his distinctive musical style originating from Louisiana. In the song's first verse, he introduces himself, his state of origin, and his musical intentions- to perform a lively boogie-woogie on the piano that will make the listener shake it, and continue moving until they break it. He calls this the 'Lewis Boogie,' and it is his unique way of playing the piano, an everyday catchphrase for him.
The second verse speaks of New Orleans being the home of dreams, where everything is exciting, and a boogie-woogie dance style prevails. The city's energy is so contagious that Jerry Lee Lewis's particular brand of boogie-woogie makes the listener want to pause and join in with the dance. He once more calls it the 'Lewis Boogie' but also states that he does it every day, thus establishing himself as an expert in this particular style of musicianship. In the third and final verse, he references Elvis Presley and the infamous rivalry between him and Elvis. He declares that even though Elvis called him nothing but a hound, Jerry's boogie-woogie is something that keeps you grooving, making your sacroiliac tremble with delight. The chorus repeats the phrase Lewis Boogie, Lewis way, as well as reinforcing Jerry Lee Lewis's talent and passion for performing the boogie-woogie.
Line by Line Meaning
My name is Jerry Lee Lewis, come from Louisiana
I am Jerry Lee Lewis and I come from Louisiana.
I'm gonna do you a little boogie on this here piano
I am going to play a boogie on the piano for you.
Doing mighty fine, I'm gonna make you shake it
I am doing great and I will make you dance to my boogie.
I'll make you do it and make you do it until you break it
I will make you dance until you can't anymore.
It's called the Lewis boogie, in the Lewis way
This is my boogie and I play it my way, which is the Lewis way.
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
I play my boogie every day.
Well, down in New Orleans, the land of dreams
New Orleans is a great city filled with dreams.
The best doggone place, son, you have ever seen
It is the most amazing place you have ever seen.
The cats go wild, do a boogie that's hot
People in New Orleans know how to dance and the boogie is really hot there.
My boogie woogie makes you want to stop and do the bop
My boogie woogie is so good that you can't help but stop and dance.
Aw, Oh, boy!
This is exciting!
Well, now let's cruise on down to old Memphis town
Now, let's go to Memphis.
That's where that Presley boy said you ain't nothing but a hound
Elvis Presley said some things in Memphis.
But now you take my boogie, it keeps you in the groove
However, my boogie will keep you dancing and in the groove.
Then your sacroiliac begins to shiver and a move
Your hips will start to move when you dance to my boogie woogie.
Oh, boogie woogie
This is the boogie woogie.
When your hips start rockin'
When your hips start moving to the music.
And your knees start knockin'
And your knees start shaking.
Lewis boogie, Lewis way
This is the Lewis boogie, played in the Lewis way.
Lord, I do my little boogie woogie every day
I play my boogie woogie every day.
Lyrics © BRASSTACKS ALLIANCE
Written by: JERRY LEE LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind