A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues
Johnny Kidd Lyrics

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Oh, when your hands start clapping
And your fingers start popping
Well, your feet got to move around
And you start to swing and swaying
And the band starts to playing
To a real cool, way out sound
Well, if you get the "can't help it's" and you can't sit down
You feel like you've got to move around

Need a shot of rhythm and blues
Just a little rock and roll on the side just for good measure
Need a pair of dancing shoes
With your lover by your side
Don't you know you're gonna have a lot of pleasure

Well, don't you worry about a thing
You start to dance and sing
And the chill bones come on you
The rhythm finally gets ya and the beat gets you too

Here's the thing for you to do
Come on... come on!

Overall Meaning

Johnny Kidd's "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" is a rock and roll anthem that celebrates the transcendental power of music to lift us up and make us dance. The opening lines describe the physical sensations that music can evoke in the listener, from clapping hands to swaying hips, to the infectious energy of a live band playing a "real cool, way out sound." The song celebrates the irresistible urge to get up and dance, feeling the music move through you until you can't help but move.

The chorus serves as a kind of prescription, as Kidd declares that in order to fully embrace the power of dance and music, we need "a shot of rhythm and blues" and "just a little rock and roll on the side for good measure." The lyrics suggest that music is not just an escape, but a necessary ingredient for a fulfilled, joyful life. As the song builds toward its climax, Kidd urges us to "come on, come on" and embrace the moment.

Overall, "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues" is an exuberant celebration of the transformative power of music. It reminds us that sometimes the best medicine is a good beat and a dancing partner.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, when your hands start clapping
When the audience begins to applaud your performance

And your fingers start popping
And their fingers are snapping to the beat

Well, your feet got to move around
As a result, their feet instinctively start to dance

And you start to swing and swaying
Their bodies start to move in a rhythmic motion

And the band starts to playing
The live band on stage starts to perform

To a real cool, way out sound
Playing a hip and trendy style of music

Well, if you get the "can't help it's" and you can't sit down
If the music is really good and you can't resist it

You feel like you've got to move around
You have the sudden impulse to dance and move your body

Need a shot of rhythm and blues
You need some soulful and groovy music to dance to

Just a little rock and roll on the side just for good measure
And some upbeat rock and roll music added for an extra kick

Need a pair of dancing shoes
It's necessary to have comfortable shoes to dance in

With your lover by your side
And it's even better to have a partner to dance with

Don't you know you're gonna have a lot of pleasure
It's going to be a very enjoyable and fun experience

Well, don't you worry about a thing
Don't be concerned or stressed about anything

You start to dance and sing
Just let loose and start dancing and singing along

And the chill bones come on you
You become filled with a sense of excitement and joy

The rhythm finally gets ya and the beat gets you too
You're completely moved by the music and the rhythm

Here's the thing for you to do
So, what you need to do now is...

Come on... come on!
Just keep dancing and enjoying the music!

Contributed by Zoe P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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7y↑7

Johnny Kidd & the Pirates were an English rock and roll group led by singer/songwriter Johnny Kidd. They scored numerous hit songs from the late 1950s to the early 1960s, including 'Shakin' All Over' and 'Please Don't Touch', but their musical influence far outshines their chart performance.

Their song 'Shakin' All Over' was so influential that it was recorded by over 80 different groups, including:

Led Zeppelin, Guess Who, Twiliters, Jack White, Vince Taylor, The Who, Eilen Jewell, Donna Loren, Factory Girl, Iggy Pop, John Entwitsle, BTO, Medicine Show, Billy Idol, Normie Rowe, Chevy Heaven, Head Cats, Suzi Quato, Lutheran Skirts, Swinging Blue Jeans, Peter Gunn, Lucky Cupids, The Lords, Philip Chan, Wild Angels, Johnny Dinamo, Shanghai, Kalevala, Donna Loren, Smithereens, Dr. Endo & Dreamteam, Poison Arrows, Chad Allan, Blue Hawaiians, The Hotdogs, Atlantis, Corizons, Bim Skala Bim, Victoria Sponge, Superbad Blues Band, Those Darlins, Randy Bachman, Lobster, Little T&A, Big Band, Van Morrison, Raybeats, Hurriganes, Johnny Michaels, Blue Meanies, Top Priority, Chad Allen, Absolute Whores, Valiants, Kingsnakes, Forbiddon Planet, Black Oak Arkansas, Chartbusters, Electric Chairs, Jonny Chester, Turbo Fruits, Horslips, Alex Harvey, Prince Adewale, Mud 2, Wild Anacostia, Hateful Eight, Hurriganes, Bim Skala Bim, Kilroy, Aunt Sally, Baby Boom, Kim Mitchel, Willy Moon, John Entwistle, Cutty Flam, Cold Chisel, Swiftbeat, DjaDja, Mean Woman Blues, Blaike, Terry Clayton, Alvin Stardust, Rossetta West, Blue Jays,Disappointments, Cell Block, KLSTRFX, Humble Pie, LYVE WYRE, Bruisers, Tin Machine, Connor, Adam Ant, Hellscrack, J. R. and the Screamers, Resistors, Imaginary Voodoo, Nancy Sit, Dorres, Electric Mess, Tower 261, Turnaround, and many more.