Ryder is noted for his gruff, wailing singing style, much influenced by Little Richard, and his dynamic stage performances, influenced by James Brown.
Ryder first appeared fronting a band called Billy Lee & The Rivieras, which had limited success until they met the songwriter / record producer, Bob Crewe. Crewe renamed the group Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, and they recorded several hit records on his DynoVoice Records label in the mid to late 1960s, most notably "Devil With A Blue Dress On".
Since the early 1970s, Ryder's musical endeavors have not met with the same success that they did before. Ryder himself has blamed his lack of subsequent hits on his unsuccessful aim at the Tom Jones-type cabaret/night club audience just as the counterculture was becoming dominant in 1967 and 1968. His last successful release was Mitch Ryder's Detroit in 1971, which featured the drummer from the original Detroit Wheels, now called Detroit, updating his soul music-influenced sound to the 1970s hard rock era.
He has continued to record and tour but comebacks have eluded him. Ryder's influence is felt in the music of Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen among others.
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
* 1965 "Come See About Me" / "A Face In the Crowd" (New Voice Records 828 Promotion Copy. Uncertain if ever released commercially in the U.S.)
* 1965 "Jenny Take A Ride!" (highest U.S. chart position #10)
* 1966 "You Get Your Kicks"
* 1966 "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (#17)
* 1966 "Devil With A Blue Dress On" / "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (#4)
* 1967 "Sock It To Me-Baby!"
Mitch Ryder
* 1969 "I'd Rather Go To Jail" / "Joy" (New Voice Records 824)
Detroit Featuring Mitch Ryder
* 1972 "Rock and Roll" (written by Lou Reed)
Sticks and Stones
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why won't they let us be
Bricks and stones may break my bones
But talk don't bother me
People talkin' tryin' to break us up
When they know that I love you so
So I don't care what the people may say
I've been abused
(I've been abused)
In my heart
(My heart's been torn)
I've been accused
(I've been accused)
I've been 'buked
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
People talkin' tryin' to break us up, yeah
Scandlizin' my name
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
Yes anything to make me shame
I've been abused
(I've been abused)
In my heart
(My heart's been torn)
I've been accused
(I've been accused)
I've been 'buked
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
People talkin' tryin' to break us, yup
And they scandlizin' my name
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
Yes anything to make me shame
Yes I know
(Oh, yes I know)
Yes I know it
(Oh, yes I know)
And you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Don't you know it, too
(Oh, yes I know)
Ohhhhh, don't you know it too
The song "Sticks And Stones" by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels is about people talking and trying to break the couple up, while they don't let it bother them. The first two lines establish that the couple is being targeted by others who want to interfere in their relationship. The next two lines, "Bricks and stones may break my bones / But talk don't bother me," suggest that the couple is not intimidated by rumors or gossip. The chorus repeats the first two lines as a refrain, indicating that the couple is resolute in their love despite any outside forces attempting to break them apart.
The verses depict the singer's resilience in the face of abusive language and slander. The line "I've been abused / In my heart / I've been accused / I've been 'buked and I've been stung" demonstrates the emotional pain that the singer has endured, but they are determined to not let it affect their relationship. The repetition of the refrain emphasizes the strength of the couple's commitment to each other.
Overall, "Sticks And Stones" is a song about standing up to external pressures and remaining devoted to someone despite adversity. It conveys the message that love can triumph over hate and gossip.
Line by Line Meaning
People talkin' tryin' to break us up
Others are spreading rumors and gossip about us, attempting to separate us
Why won't they let us be
They won't leave us alone to be together in peace
Bricks and stones may break my bones
Physical harm can cause pain and injury
But talk don't bother me
Verbal insults and rumors cannot harm me emotionally
When they know that I love you so
Despite knowing my feelings for you, they continue to spread lies about us
So I don't care what the people may say
I refuse to let others' words affect me and our relationship
I'll never never let you go
I will always stand by your side, no matter what others may say or do
I've been abused
I have suffered mistreatment and harm from others
(I've been abused)
Repeated for emphasis
In my heart
The emotional effects of the abuse have hurt me deeply
(My heart's been torn)
Repeated for emphasis
I've been accused
I have been falsely blamed for something or falsely judged by others
(I've been accused)
Repeated for emphasis
I've been 'buked
I have been criticized, scolded, or abused by others
(I've been 'buked and I've been stung)
Repeated for emphasis
Scandlizin' my name
Spreading false or damaging information about me to harm my reputation
They'll say anything just to make me feel bad
They will fabricate or exaggerate stories to upset me and damage my self-esteem
Yes anything to make me shame
Their goal is to humiliate and embarrass me with their lies and attacks
Yes I know
I am aware of the rumors and attacks against us
(Oh, yes I know)
Repeated for emphasis
And you know it, too
You also know about the rumors and attacks against us
(Oh, yes I know)
Repeated for emphasis
Don't you know it, too
I am asking you if you are also aware of the rumors and attacks against us
(Oh, yes I know)
Repeated for emphasis
Ohhhhh, don't you know it too
I am pleading with you to validate my feelings and acknowledge the severity of the situation
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, BMG Rights Management
Written by: TITUS TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind