Before finding solo fame he was a member of blues-rock band Taste.
In 1972 he was voted Melody Maker's Top Musician of the Year, dethroning Eric Clapton.
Rory died of complications following a liver transplant in 1995. As the funeral cortege moved through the streets of Cork, his life and music was celebrated by the city's citizens. He is buried in St. Oliver's Cemetery just outside the city.
Generally regarded as one of the top ten guitarists ever, many of today's top musicians, including The Edge from U2, Slash of Guns N' Roses, Johnny Marr of the Smiths and Brian May of Queen cite Rory as an inspiration in their formative musical years. It is also well documented that the Rolling Stones auditioned Rory for the band as their permanent guitarist in the '70s but he refused on the basis that it was against all he believed in terms of his own name and style. Though Rory Gallagher never released a single, Rory Gallagher's albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide.
A square in Cork City was named after him in 1997 and signature edition of his Fender Stratocaster guitar was released as well.
In 2002 he appeared on a Republic of Ireland postage stamp.
There is a Rory Gallagher Corner at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar, Dublin.
On the 19th May 2006, a life-size bronze statue in the shape of his Stratocaster has been installed at this very corner. Some of those who attended the unveiling include The Edge of U2 and the Lord Mayor of Dublin.
There’s another artist with the same name:
(2) Rory Gallagher is a 21 year old Cardiff based Trance Producer/DJ hailing from London, U.K. He is also known as Rozza.
Whilst living in Ireland, Rory found himself instantly hooked to trance music after hearing Paul van Dyk's 'For an Angel' and the classic Ireland 'Euphoria' album back in 2003. After many years of absorbing to electronic music and developing a fine taste for it, he decided to try his hand at creating the music. In 2005, whilst learning the basics of production, Rozza decided that trance music was what he wanted to do and was constantly in his home studio, experimenting with fresh sounds and ideas.
Looking at the bigger picture, he decided to focus on production & sound engineering and as a result is now studying for a Music Technology degree.
In early 2007, after catching the attention of Adam White, Rozza was signed up to Emalodic (Adam White's label) and saw his debut single released. His first record, titled 'Discover', gained excellent reviews in the dance press and support from the biggest DJs the world-over.
Since then Rozza has had a number of successful releases on Alter Ego, Deepblue, Infrasonic & Emalodic amongst others, which have all had big support from key players in the scene.
Rozza has also been working with the likes of Adam White, which led to the massive ‘Love Angles’ and was heavily supported on Radio 1 and by Armin Van Burren. Recently he has worked with Danish producer Daniel Kandi on a remix of ‘The Path’.
On the DJ circuit Rozza has held a residency in Newport Wales, and has played at various nights in Thailand, Europe and around the UK.
Jackknife Beat
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To watch me like a hawk,
Well, my baby's got a secret agent
To watch me like a hawk
He know each time I leave my house,
He know each time I move around
Secret agent, won't you please take my advice?
Won't you please head my advice?
You crossed me ounce, don't cross me twice
I'm going to cut you down to size
I'll make that man turn in his badge in the mornin'
I slip around but I'm to quick to catch in the morning
I'll make that man turns in his badge
I'll slip around him, I'm too quick to catch
No jealous woman is gonna keep tabs on me
Well she's got a secret agent,
And he's breathing down my spine,
Yes, she's got a secret agent
And he's breathing down my spine,
He must like working overtime
I think I'm always hard to find.
Secret agent, secret agent,
Gonna have a show down before long
Won't you listen, secret agent
We're gonna have a show down before long
I know you pack a forty-four,
I hope you know just what it's for
I hope you know just what it's for
Just keep my shadow from my door
"Jack-Knife Beat" by Rory Gallagher is a song about a man who is being watched by his girlfriend's secret agent. He starts off by acknowledging that his girlfriend has a secret agent to "watch him like a hawk." He knows that this agent is always keeping track of his moves, whether he leaves the house or is just moving around. He then addresses the secret agent directly, asking him to not cross him again else he will cut him down to size. He then confidently declares that he is too quick to catch, and no jealous woman can keep tabs on him. The chorus repeats the fact that the singer is being watched and acknowledges that the secret agent is always breathing down his spine.
In the second verse, the singer seems to be more assertive and confrontational towards the secret agent. He tells the agent that they will have a show down before long while acknowledging that he knows the agent has a forty-four (possibly referring to a gun). He then ends the verse by asking the secret agent to keep his shadow from his door, implying that he wants to be left alone.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of defiance against authority and a desire for personal freedom. The singer refuses to be tethered by the watchful eye of his girlfriend's secret agent and asserts his independence.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby's got a secret agent
My significant other has hired a spy to watch over me
To watch me like a hawk
To monitor and observe my actions vigilantly
He know each time I leave my house
The secret agent is aware of every instance that I step out of my home
He know each time I move around
The spy has information about all of the places I visit
Secret agent, won't you please take my advice?
I would like to advise the spy, please listen to me
You crossed me ounce, don't cross me twice
You've upset me once, don't make the same mistake again
I'm going to cut you down to size
I will teach you a lesson and put you in your place
I'll make that man turn in his badge in the mornin'
I will cause the spy to lose his job and badge tomorrow
I slip around but I'm to quick to catch in the morning
Although I am able to sneak around undetected, the spy will not be able to catch me in the morning
No jealous woman is gonna keep tabs on me
I will not allow a woman consumed by jealousy to keep tabs on me
And he's breathing down my spine
The spy is constantly monitoring my every move and is always nearby
He must like working overtime
The spy seems to enjoy putting in extra hours to watch me more meticulously
I think I'm always hard to find
I believe that I am elusive and difficult to locate
Gonna have a show down before long
There will be a confrontation between the spy and me soon
I know you pack a forty-four
I am aware that the spy is armed with a .44 caliber gun
I hope you know just what it's for
I hope that the spy understands the danger of using the gun inappropriately
Just keep my shadow from my door
Just make sure that you do not cross my path or come near my home
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind