Building on the distorted electric guitar sound of early records, his 1958 instrumental hit "Rumble" by Link Wray and his Ray Men popularized "the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists", facilitating the emergence of "punk and heavy rock". Rolling Stone placed Wray at No. 45 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 2013 he was a nominee for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though he began in country music, his musical style went on to consist primarily of rock and roll, rockabilly, and instrumental rock.
Wray was born on May 2, 1929 in Dunn, North Carolina, to Fred Lincoln Wray, Sr. and his wife, Lillian M. Wray (née Coats). They were Shawnee Native Americans. Three songs he performed were named for American Indian tribes: "Shawnee", "Apache", and "Comanche". "Apache" was an instrumental composed by Jerry Lordan; it was originally a hit in the United Kingdom for The Shadows in 1960. Wray recorded a cover version 30 years later, when it was also associated with The Ventures and the Incredible Bongo Band.
Wray served in the US Army during the Korean War, and contracted tuberculosis, which laid him up in a hospital for a year. His stay concluded with the removal of a lung, which doctors predicted would mean he would never be able to sing again.
In 1958, Wray's first hit, "Rumble", was banned in New York and Boston for fear it would incite teenage gang violence. The record was first released on Cadence Records as Cat # 1347 (as Link Wray and the Ray-Men). Before, during, and after his stints with major labels Epic and Swan, Wray released 45's under many names. Tiring of the corporate music machine, he began recording albums using a three-track studio he converted from an outbuilding on his brother's property that his father used to raise chickens.
While living in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1970s, Wray was introduced to Quicksilver Messenger Service guitarist John Cipollina by bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson. He subsequently formed a band initially featuring special guest Cipollina along with the rhythm section from Cipollina's band Copperhead, bassist James "Hutch" Hutchinson, and drummer David Weber. They opened for the band Lighthouse at The Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles from May 15–19, 1974. He later did numerous concerts and radio broadcasts in the Bay Area including KSAN (FM) and the Bill Graham venue Winterland Ballroom, with Les Lizama later replacing Hutchinson on bass. He toured and recorded two albums with retro-rockabilly artist Robert Gordon in the late 1970s. The 1980s to the present day saw a large number of reissues as well as new material. One member of his band in the 1980s, drummer Anton Fig, later became drummer in the CBS Orchestra on the Late Show with David Letterman. In 1994, he played on four songs of the album Chatterton by French rocker Alain Bashung.
Wray's first three marriages—to Elizabeth Canady Wray, Katherine Tidwell Wray, and Sharon Wray—each ended in divorce. Although Wray had eight children with his first three wives, he had little contact with any of them after relocating to Denmark in the early 1980s.
Wray died of heart failure at his home in Copenhagen, at the age of 76. Survivors included his fourth wife, Olive Julie Povlsen Wray, and their son. He was buried in the crypt of the Christian's Church, Copenhagen.
Jack Rose cited Wray as an influence, as did Iggy Pop and Neil Young. Jimmy Page says that Link Wray had a "real rebel attitude" and credits him in It Might Get Loud as a major influence in his early career. According to Rolling Stone, Pete Townshend of The Who once said, "If it hadn't been for Link Wray and 'Rumble,' I never would have picked up a guitar." "The only people I ever really looked up to were Link Wray and Iggy Pop," said Mark E. Smith of The Fall. "Guys like…Link Wray… are very special to me.
FEVER
Link Wray Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a feelin' that's so hard to bear
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever all through the night
Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name
I get a fever when you hold me tight
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever) I'm on fire
Fever all through the night
You never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a feelin' that's so hard to bear
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever) I'm on fire
Fever all through the night
The Link Wray song, Fever, is a classic rock and roll track that oozes passion and desire through its lyrics. At first glance, the song appears to describe the physical symptoms of being in love with someone, as it talks about feeling a fever and a burning sensation when the person kisses and holds the singer. However, the fever and heat mentioned in the song could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the intense emotional connection the singer has with this other person.
The opening line, "You'll never know how much I love you, never know how much I care," sets the tone for the rest of the song and hints at a sense of unrequited love. When the other person puts their arms around the singer, they get a feeling that is "so hard to bear," which suggests an overwhelming sense of longing and desire. The repeated use of the word "fever" creates a sense of urgency and danger, evoking the idea that this love is almost out of control.
The chorus further emphasizes the intensity of these feelings, with the singer describing being "on fire" and experiencing fever "all through the night." The use of light and dark imagery - "sun lights up the daytime, moon lights up the night" - also creates a sense of duality and contrast, but ultimately emphasizes that the singer's love burns hot no matter the time of day.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never know how much I love you
I have an immense love for you, that you may never fully understand
Never know how much I care
My affection for you is not limited, though you may not realize it
When you put your arms around me
Your embrace provides me with comfort and security
I get a feelin' that's so hard to bear
This feeling of love is almost overwhelming, but in a good way
You give me fever
Your love and affection for me arouses and excites me
When you kiss me
The feeling of your lips on mine is powerful and intoxicating
Fever when you hold me tight
Being held by you produces a warm and feverish feeling within me
Fever (fever) in the mornin'
This fever and desire for you persists even in the morning light
Fever all through the night
This intense passion for you continues endlessly, without pause or respite
Sun lights up the daytime
The coming of the sun during the day is a natural occurrence
Moon lights up the night
The moon illuminates the night sky in its own unique way
I light up when you call my name
Hearing your voice and seeing you makes me feel alive and ecstatic
I get a fever when you hold me tight
Being embraced by you produces an intense feverish sensation within me
Fever (fever) I'm on fire
The fever and passion within me is so strong it feels like I am burning
Fever all through the night
This unending fever and desire for you continues throughout the night
You never know how much I love you
My love for you is immeasurable and difficult to fully express
Never know how much I care
My love for you is also accompanied by a deep and unwavering concern for your well-being
When you put your arms around me
I am filled with a sense of safety and belonging as you hold me close
I get a feelin' that's so hard to bear
This sensation of being overwhelmed by love is difficult to handle, but I wouldn't have it any other way
You give me fever
Your love and affection for me is intense and produces a powerful feverish feeling within me
When you kiss me
The feeling of your lips on mine is electrifying and fills me with desire
Fever when you hold me tight
Being held tightly by you produces a feverish feeling within me that is both intense and desirable
Fever (fever) I'm on fire
This feverish sensation within me is so strong that it feels like I am burning with desire
Fever all through the night
The feverish and intense passion I have for you continues throughout the night without pause
Writer(s): Eddie Cooley, John Davenport
Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Green Man of Albion
i've heard a lot of versions of this song but this is definitely the best!
Urbodazan
right
HomeyThaClown
Why is this guy so obscure? I first heard of him maybe 5 years ago and I never hear of Link Wray unless I go looking him up. He really sounds ahead of his time.
novaculus
Link is the Godfather
J.D. Snyder
Far, far ahead. He's the real deal, and then some.
David Barreto
This song is from 1979
Niilivaara
the instrumental Rumble from 58 got banned in several US radio stations because of the titel and the sound.
Ben Strickland
No him, no punk, no metal, you're stuck listening to terrifyingly bland crap and that's all there is
Helium Road
This is so badass. It's like surf rock's greasy, scary older brother, who leads a gang and whose girlfriend has tats and carries a knife, while surf rock and Elvis are chasing rich bitches around the sock hop.
Summer Geiser
ohhhh...the shit i grew up with, huh? I was a baaaaddd gurl... -and married one of those bikers-37 years ago ..... :)