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.
No Particular Place To Go
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My baby beside me at the wheel
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile
My curiosity runnin' wild
Crusin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go
Riding along in my automobile
So I told her softly and sincere
And she leaned and whispered in my ear
Cuddlin' more and drivin' slow
With no particular place to go
No particular place to go
So we parked way out on the Kokomo
The night was young and the moon was gold
So we both decided to take a stroll
Can you image the way I felt
I couldn't unfasten her safety belt
Ridin' along in my calaboose
Still trying to get her belt a-loose
All the way home I held a grudge
For the safety belt that wouldn't budge
Crusin' and playin' the radio
With no particular place to go
The opening lines of Jerry Lee Lewis's hit song, "No Particular Place to Go," set the scene for what is to come. The singer is driving his car with his lover by his side, cruising carelessly and aimlessly with no destination in mind. In the first verse, the singer steals a kiss while behind the wheel, clearly distracted by the thrill of the open road and the sense of adventure that comes with it.
The second verse introduces a more emotional aspect to the song. The singer becomes overcome with the need to tell his lover how much he cares for her. In a tender moment, he leans in to whisper his feelings, and she responds in kind, proving that words need not be shouted to be heard. The verse continues, and they continue their drive, taking their time and enjoying each other's company with no particular agenda.
The final verse takes a comedic turn. The couple ends up parked far away from civilization, taking a romantic walk in the moonlight. However, things take a sour turn when the singer becomes frustrated by the car's safety belt. As he tries to unfasten it, he becomes more and more irritated, ultimately returning home still holding a grudge. The song ends where it began, with the couple still cruising with no particular place to go.
Line by Line Meaning
Riding along in my automobile
Starting off in the car
My baby beside me at the wheel
With my significant other driving the car
I stole a kiss at the turn of a mile
I kissed my partner quickly while driving
My curiosity runnin' wild
Feeling adventurous and spontaneous
Crusin' and playin' the radio
Driving and listening to music
With no particular place to go
Not having any specific destination in mind
I was anxious to tell her the way I feel
Wanting to share my emotions with my partner
So I told her softly and sincere
Expressing myself honestly and with care
And she leaned and whispered in my ear
My partner responded affectionately
Cuddlin' more and drivin' slow
Enjoying physical and emotional intimacy while taking a leisurely drive
No particular place to go
Still aimlessly driving without a clear destination
So we parked way out on the Kokomo
Deciding to stop and park in a secluded area
The night was young and the moon was gold
The environment was romantic and dreamy
So we both decided to take a stroll
We went for a walk together
Can you image the way I felt
The singer is overwhelmed with positive feelings
I couldn't unfasten her safety belt
Struggling to remove the seatbelt and continue intimacy
Ridin' along in my calaboose
Jokingly referring to the car as a prison cell for being blocked by the seatbelt
Still trying to get her belt a-loose
Continuing to work on removing the seatbelt
All the way home I held a grudge
Feeling frustrated during the drive home
For the safety belt that wouldn't budge
Still upset that they were interrupted by the seatbelt
Crusin' and playin' the radio
Returning to driving and listening to music
With no particular place to go
Continuing to drive without any planned destination
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind