Jones settled in LA at the age of nineteen, doing the classic waiting tables stuff until she landed a recording contract with Warners. Her self-titled debut album in 1979 was a big success, as was the single, Chuck E.'s in Love, about her musician friend Chuck E. Weiss. At the 1980 Grammy Awards, she won a Grammy for Best New Artist, and also received four more nominations: for Record of the Year; Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female; Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female; and Song of the Year (for "Chuck E.'s in Love"). While none of her subsequent recordings achieved the same level of commercial success, Jones has continued releasing critically acclaimed albums that have explored a variety of sonic terrain from jazz standards to trip hop influenced works.
Jones' pursuit of jazz standards led to the recording of "The Moon Is Made of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" for Rob Wasserman's album Duets in 1985. The latter track earned her another Grammy nomination. And in 1990, her duet with Dr. John, a cover of "Makin' Whoopee", earned the artist her second Grammy Award, this time in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.
At the time of recording her debut album, Jones was in a romantic relationship with Tom Waits; she is the girl draped over the car on the cover of his 1978 album Blue Valentine.
Early in her career, Jones was known for her drinking and substance abuse. She eventually tempered those demons, and came to terms with herself, and her own uncertain spirituality, and has maintained respect of her musical peers.
She's devoted to her talents, beyond music, one of which is raising her teenage daughter, and has even run her own political website and made music critiquing the Bush administration. She is involved in left-wing politics and community activism, partly through her web community, Furniture for the People (http://www.furnitureforthepeople.com/).
A greatest hits collection on Rhino called The Duchess of Coolsville was released in 2005.
In 2007 she signed to New West Records releasing The Sermon On Exposition Blvd, a record exploring lyrical territory inspired by Lee Cantelon's 1991 book The Words, which attempted to translate Christ's teachings into a more accessible contemporary format. Cantelon's friend, Guitarist Peter Atanasoff was instrumental in the creation of the eventual record.
Discography
1979: Rickie Lee Jones – Warner Bros.
1981: Pirates – Warner Bros.
1983: Girl at Her Volcano (EP) – Warner Bros.
1984: The Magazine – Warner Bros.
1989: Flying Cowboys - Geffen
1991: Pop Pop - Geffen
1993: Traffic From Paradise - Geffen
1995: Naked Songs - Reprise
1997: Ghostyhead – Warner Bros.
2000: It's Like This - Artemis
2001: Live at Red Rocks - Artemis
2003: The Evening of My Best Day – V2
2005: Duchess of Coolsville - Rhino
2007: Sermon On Exposition Boulevard - New West
2009: Balm in Gilead
Chuck E.'s in Love
Rickie Lee Jones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Down at the meter no more?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
The song "Chuck E's In Love" by Rickie Lee Jones tells the story of a young man named Chuck E. who has undergone some sort of transformation. The singer is perplexed by Chuck E.'s behavior, as he has stopped hanging out with his friends at their usual spot, turned off his television, and seems to have acquired a new sense of confidence and coolness. The singer and her friends try to track down Chuck E. to find out what's going on, but eventually discover that he's in love with a girl who is singing the song (i.e. the singer).
The lyrics explore themes of transformation, young love, and the mystery of human behavior. One interpretation of the song is that Chuck E. is going through a personal growth journey, shedding his old skin and embracing a new, more confident version of himself. He has fallen in love with the singer, who is also experiencing a change in perception as she sees Chuck E. in a new light. The song captures the excitement, confusion, and joy of falling in love and undergoing personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
How come he don't come and PLP with me
Down at the meter no more?
Why doesn't he come and spend time with me at our usual spot anymore?
And how come he turn off the TV?
And he hang that sign on the door?
Why did he turn off the TV and put a closed sign on the door?
We call and we call
"How come?" we say
Hey, what could make a boy behave this way?
We keep asking ourselves what could have made him change his behavior.
So he has learnt all of the lines now
And every time, he don't stutter when he talks
It's true! It's true!
He sure has acquired this kinda cool
And inspired sorta jazz when he walks
Where's his jacket and his old blue jeans?
Well, this ain't healthy, it is some kinda clean
That means
Chuck E.'s in love
He has a new confidence that's different from his old self. He walks with an inspired sort of jazz and has cleaned up his appearance, which could mean he's in love.
I don't believe what you're saying to me
This is something that I've got to see
I don't believe what you're telling me, I have to go see for myself.
Is he here?
I look in the poolhall
Well, is he here?
I look in the drugstore
Is he here?
No, he don't come here no more
I'm looking for him, but he's not here anymore.
I'll tell you what, I saw him
He was sitting behind us down in the pantages
And whatever it is that he's got up his sleeve
Well, I hope it isn't contagious
I saw him at the Pantages theater and I hope whatever he's got going on isn't contagious.
What's her name?
Is that her there?
Oh, Christ, I think he's even combed his hair
Is that her?
Well, then what's her name?
Oh, it's never gonna be the same
He's with a new girl and it's never going to be the same.
But that's not her
I know what's wrong
'Cause Chuck E.'s in love
With the little girl singin' this song
Don't you know?
He's not with that girl, it's actually me who he's in love with.
Chuck E.'s in love, yeah yeah
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love, my my
Chuck E.'s in
Chuck E.'s in love
Chuck E.'s in love
He's in love
Love with me
Chuck E. is in love with me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Rickie Lee Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jillking5876
2/11/2024 - who's still listening to Rickie Lee?
@shannonlawhorn3163
I am!!! 🙂
@rjjagger
@@shannonlawhorn3163 ME!! AMAZING stuff!
@nadineerickson9314
it’s about to be 2024 and I am still listening to Ricky Lee Jones. She has her own unique style. I’ve always loved it and this song.NB
@Rodonnellflexpkg
Me too saw her in Milwaukee!
@straightbuttadating
I hadn’t heard this song in over 40 years, but it just came to mine while I was at work and I decided to pull it up on YouTube. The greatest thing about YouTube is that you can pull up any song that you can remember the title and listen to it after 50 years or 60 years even as recent. It brings back memories of a 70s. @Straightbuttadating (youtube channel)
@BaconIsNotBiceps
If this song was any cooler it would be criminal. LOVE this tune.
@arcadiosaberon1286
I wonder how many other Rickle Lee Jones lovers out there still listening to this amazing artist in 2021?
@Flusenmonster
Well, hello there! Here I am......BTW I called my daughter Rickie
@cricketcustomer2164
Just found this! Wow! Almost wish I could go back in time. Do I really want to give up my Social security 😁