MC5 had a promising beginning that earned them a January 1969 cover appearance in Rolling Stone magazine and a story written by Eric Ehrmann before their debut album was released. They developed a reputation for energetic and polemical live performances, one of which was recorded as their 1969 debut album Kick Out the Jams. Their initial run was short-lived, though. In 1972, just three years after their debut record, the band came to an end. Often cited as one of the most important American hard rock groups of that era, their three albums are regarded by many as classics.
Tyner died of a heart attack in late 1991 at the age of 46. Smith also died of a heart attack, in 1994 at the age of 45. The remaining three members of the band reformed in 2003 with The Dictators' singer Handsome Dick Manitoba as its new vocalist, and this reformed line-up occasionally performed live over the next nine years until Davis died of liver failure in February 2012 at the age of 68.
In 2022, Kramer announced that a tour would take place that spring, and that a new MC5 studio album with producer Bob Ezrin would also be released later that year with original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson playing on two tracks. In 2023, Kramer announced that the album would be released in the spring of 2024. Kramer died in February 2024, leaving Thompson as the only surviving original member of the band.
Kick Out the Jams
MC5 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I, I, I, I, I'm gonna
I'm gonna kick 'em out, yeah
Well I feel pretty good
And I guess that I could get crazy, now baby
'Cause we all got in tune
And when the dressing room got hazy, now baby
I know how you want it child
Hot, quick and tight
The girls can't stand it
When you're doin' it right
Let me up on the stand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I have to kick 'em out
Yes, I'm starting to sweat
You know my shirt's all wet
What a feeling
In the sound that abounds
And resounds, and rebounds off the ceiling
You gotta have it, baby
You can't do without
When you get the feeling
You gotta sock 'em out
Put that mic in my hand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I want to kick 'em out
So you got to give it up
You know you can't get enough Miss Mackenzie
'Cause it gets in your brain
It drives you insane
Leaping frenzy
The wailin' guitars girl
The crash of the drums
Make you want to keep-a-rockin'
'Til morning comes
Let me be who I am
And let me kick out the jams
Yes, kick out the jams
I done kicked 'em out
"Kick Out the Jams" is a rebellious, energetic song that was originally recorded by the band MC5 in 1969. The song is about letting loose and breaking free from societal rules and expectations. The title of the song itself is a call to action to kick out anything that holds you back, like inhibitions and doubts. The lyrics describe a wild and unforgettable night where the band and the audience are in sync and absorbed in the music. The lead singer's voice is strong and passionate, emphasizing the urgency and the importance of the message.
The song's powerful message made it popular among the counterculture and anti-establishment movements of the time. The song's electrifying guitar riffs and frenzied drum beats energized audiences, and it quickly became a classic anthem of the era. The song's rebellious spirit continues to inspire generations of artists and musicians.
One of the most interesting aspects of "Kick Out the Jams" is its origin. The song was recorded live at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit without any studio overdubs or edits. This gave the song a raw, authentic sound that perfectly captured the energy of the moment. The performance was so high voltage that it was banned by some radio stations for its profanity, making it even more appealing to audiences hungry for something different.
Another interesting fact is that the song's lyrics were written by Rob Tyner, the band's lead singer. Tyner was inspired by a speech given by activist Stokely Carmichael, who used the phrase "kick out the jams" to encourage people to liberate themselves from oppression. Tyner used this phrase as a rallying cry for the band's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Kick out the jams motherfuckers
Demanding the audience to let loose and rock out with them
Yeah I, I, I, I, I'm gonna
I'm gonna kick 'em out, yeah
Reaffirming their intent to play loud and hard
Well I feel pretty good
And I guess that I could get crazy, now baby
'Cause we all got in tune
And when the dressing room got hazy, now baby
Feeling pumped up and ready for a wild performance after getting in sync with the band and immersing in the pre-show hype
I know how you want it child
Hot, quick and tight
The girls can't stand it
When you're doin' it right
Let me up on the stand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I have to kick 'em out
Acknowledging the audience's craving for a sexually charged, high-energy show and urging permission to kick off the performance
Yes, I'm starting to sweat
You know my shirt's all wet
What a feeling
In the sound that abounds
And resounds, and rebounds off the ceiling
Feeling ecstatic and energized by the experience of playing loud music that creates a palpable, all-encompassing sound
You gotta have it, baby
You can't do without
When you get the feeling
You gotta sock 'em out
Put that mic in my hand
And let me kick out the jam
Yes, kick out the jams
I want to kick 'em out
Asserting that the audience's hearts and souls depend on music and that it is the band's duty to deliver a kickass show that channels their desire for raw and unbridled expression
So you got to give it up
You know you can't get enough Miss Mackenzie
'Cause it gets in your brain
It drives you insane
Leaping frenzy
Suggesting that music is irresistible and addictive, that it creates a frenzy of emotions and movements that leave the audience captivated and euphoric
The wailin' guitars girl
The crash of the drums
Make you want to keep-a-rockin'
'Til morning comes
Highlighting the emotional and physical intensity of rock music and its power to fuel endless all-night parties and exuberant celebrations
Let me be who I am
And let me kick out the jams
Yes, kick out the jams
I done kicked 'em out
Emphasizing the importance of self-expression and unbridled creativity in creating authentic, electrifying music that sparks joy and connection with the audience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert W. Derminer, Wayne S Kramer, Dennis A. Tomich, Frederick Smith, Michael H Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Hurley
on The Pledge Song
Found this outfit called "Sonic Hits" for free streaming.
Pretty impressed with the depth of their catalog and none of those serenity busting ads.