Messin' With The Kid
Junior Wells & Earl Hooker Lyrics


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What's this a-here goin all around town
The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Oh no
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid
You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid

You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid

We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to




I call it messin' with the... yeah
One more now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Junior Wells and Earl Hooker's song "Messin' With The Kid" is an outcry against those who attempt to undermine or harm the singer, who is referred to as "the kid." The song opens with a description of people talking about putting the kid down and the singer denounces them, saying that he calls it "messin' with the kid." The singer then asserts that he is no child and that he speaks plainly and truthfully. He is not afraid to stand up for himself and defend himself against those who would try to harm him. The chorus repeats the message that messing with the kid is foolish and will only lead to trouble. The final verse describes a plan to steal the kid's car and drive around town showing that the singer cannot be defeated or pushed around.


Line by Line Meaning

What's this a-here goin all around town
There's a rumor spreading around town


The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
People are saying they'll bring the kid down


Oh no
Expressing disagreement or disappointment


Oh look at what you did
Expressing disapproval of someone's actions


You can call it what you want to
You may have your own interpretation of events


I call it messin' with the kid
In my opinion, it amounts to messing with the kid


You know the kid's no child and I don't play
The kid is not a child and I don't joke around


I says what I mean and I mean what I say
I speak plainly and truthfully


Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or agreement


We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
We plan to take the kid's car for a ride around town


Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Inform everyone that we're not putting the kid down


Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
Expressing enthusiasm or agreement


Oh look at what you did
Expressing disapproval of someone's actions


You can call it what you want to
You may have your own interpretation of events


I call it messin' with the... yeah
In my opinion, it amounts to messing with the kid




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MEL LONDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@teenaphelps2187

I grew up knowing Junior Wells, we lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago near Chess Records. 🎼🎵🎶🎤🎸🎷🎺🥁🎹🎻💃🕴️😊💞

@artplaut7208

YEAH TEENA

@edwinruhl6803

lucky you.

@davescupper5789

Odger yer did

@Im_using_your_moms_log_in

Not sure how to follow the emojis, but cheers!

@michaelheaton6901

You are blessed sir.

3 More Replies...

@bethmcavoy8062

What a treat to hear Junior Wells and Buddy Guy tearing it up!

@paulinemclellan2168

It sure is friend...it was soo good back then and just as good right now

@williammills3632

This is some of Buddys best guitar work ever. Junior and that band are tight and loose at the same time. Fantastic

@theherbpuffer

Buddy's my biggest inspiration as far as older blues players go, but I'm sorry Rory Gallaghers version is just something else

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