Of Cajun ancestry, Preston sang in high school choral contests throughout the state of Texas. He formed a rock and roll band called 'The Shades', before recording his No. 1 hit single "Running Bear." The song was written in 1958 by J. P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, who had died the previous year in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.
Preston quickly followed up with a minor hit called "Cradle of Love," and made several other records during the early 1960s that met with modest success.
"Cradle of Love" however, was a big hit in Athens, Greece in the early 60s.
Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He also performed at Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater in Branson, Missouri. In 2009 and 2010, Preston performed with the Lamar State College (LSCPA)Touring Band at Lamar State College- Port Arthur, in his hometown.
Johnny Preston's pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Preston died of heart failure in Beaumont, Texas on March 4, 2011.
Leave My Kitten Alone
Johnny Preston Lyrics
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You better leave my kitten all alone.
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog,
You better leave her alone.
You better leave my kitten all alone,
You better leave my kitten all alone.
This dog is gonna get you
If you don't leave her alone.
Well, Mister Dog
I'm gonna hit you on the top of your head.
That child is gonna miss you,
You're gonna wish
That you were dead.
If you don't leave my kitten all alone.
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog,
You better leave her alone.
Well, alright!
Yeah!
Hey! Hey!
Yeah!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Well, Mister Dog
I'm gonna hit you on the top of your head.
That gal is gonna miss you,
You're gonna wish
That you were dead.
If you don't leave my kitten all alone, oh yeah.
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog,
You better leave her alone.
Hey-hey!
You better leave,
You better leave,
You better leave,
Yeah, you better leave,
You better leave,
Oh, you got to leave
Yeah, hey!
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog.
The song "Leave My Kitten Alone" by Johnny Preston is a blues-influenced rock 'n' roll track with a catchy melody and humorous lyrics. The song is about a man warning a big, fat bulldog to leave his kitten alone. The man warns the dog that if he doesn't leave her alone, he will hit him on the top of his head and the kitten will miss him. The man is protective of his kitten and doesn't want anything bad to happen to her.
The lyrics use animal imagery to convey the theme of the song. The man compares himself to a bulldog and the woman to a kitten, emphasizing the woman's vulnerability and the man's protective nature. The lyrics also use humor to convey the man's determination to protect the woman, as he threatens to hit the dog on the head and warns him that the woman will miss him if he's hurt.
Interestingly, "Leave My Kitten Alone" was originally written and recorded by Little Willie John in 1959, but it was not released as a single. Johnny Preston's cover of the song was released in 1960 and became a hit, reaching #84 on the US pop charts. The song has since been covered by several artists, including The Beatles in their early days, but their version was never released on an album.
Line by Line Meaning
You better leave my kitten all alone,
I advise you to stop bothering my pet cat
You better leave my kitten all alone.
I am warning you again to stay away from my kitten
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog,
I have already informed you, large and overweight bulldog
You better leave her alone.
You should cease bothering her
This dog is gonna get you
This aggressive dog will attack you
If you don't leave her alone.
Unless you stop bothering her
Well, Mister Dog
Hello, dog
I'm gonna hit you on the top of your head.
I will strike you on top of your head
That child is gonna miss you,
That girl will regret your absence
You're gonna wish
You will desire
That you were dead.
That you were no longer alive
If you don't leave my kitten all alone.
Unless you stop bothering my cat
Well, alright!
I am content with that
Yeah!
Yes!
Hey! Hey!
Hello! Hello!
Yeah!
Yes!
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
That gal is gonna miss you,
That woman will feel your absence
Oh yeah.
Oh yes.
Hey-hey!
Hello-hello!
You better leave,
It's best if you depart
You better leave,
It's best if you depart
You better leave,
It's best if you depart
Yeah, you better leave,
Yes, you should depart
You better leave,
It's best if you depart
Oh, you got to leave
Oh, you need to depart
Yeah, hey!
Yes, hello!
Well, I told you, big, fat bulldog.
I have already warned you, large and overweight bulldog.
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM JOHN LITTLE, JAMES MAC DOUGAL, TITUS TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind