Messin' With the Kid
Rory Gallagher Lyrics
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The people are sayin' you gonna put the kid down
Lordy, what your doing?
You call it what you want,
I call it messin' with the kid.
You told me you loved me
You told me a lie,
Lordy, what you doin
You can call it what you want
I call it messin' with the kid
You took the kids' car and drove all around town
Tellin' everybody you're gonna put me down,
Lordy, what you doing
Call it what you want
I call it meson' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Lordy what you doing
You call it what you want,
I call it messin' with the kid
You told me you love me
You told me a lie
I love you woman till the day I die
Took my car and drove all around town,
Tellin' everybody you gonna put me down
Lordy what you doing,
I call it messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
The song "Messin' with the Kid" by Rory Gallagher is a blues rock classic that portrays a distraught man confronting his lover about her mistakes. The song begins with the singer hearing rumors about his lover wanting to put the kid down, which means to break up with him. The singer questions her actions and calls it "messin' with the kid," indicating the emotional harm she's causing. He accuses her of lying when she told him she loved him, and he proclaims his love for her until the day he dies. He also expresses anger at her for taking his car and driving around town telling everyone about their relationship problems.
The song's lyrics are straightforward, with the repetition of "messin' with the kid" emphasizing the gravity of the situation. It is clear that the singer is fed up with his lover's behavior, and he is not afraid to call her out on it. The song's catchy melody and bluesy guitar riffs make it a classic rock and roll hit.
Interestingly, Gallagher was not the first to perform this song. It was originally written and performed by a Chicago blues artist named Junior Wells in the 1950s. However, Gallagher's cover of the song is more popular and has become a classic rock anthem.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this I hear going all around town?
I've been hearing rumors from various sources in town about something unacceptable.
The people are sayin' you gonna put the kid down
Rumors are that you're planning to harm me in some way.
Lordy, what your doing?
Expressing shock and confusion over your actions.
You call it what you want,
I call it messin' with the kid.
Regardless of how you may justify it, I consider your actions harmful and manipulative.
You told me you loved me
You told me a lie,
I love you woman till the day I die
You lied to me about loving me, but I'm still devoted to you.
You took the kids' car and drove all around town
Tellin' everybody you're gonna put me down,
You took my car and drove around town, telling others that you plan to harm me.
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Messin' with the kid
Lordy what you doing
You call it what you want,
I call it messin' with the kid
Repeating the title phrase to emphasize that your actions are indeed harmful and manipulative.
Took my car and drove all around town,
Tellin' everybody you gonna put me down
Lordy what you doing,
I call it messin' with the kid
Repeating the previous description of your harmful actions.
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brett Garsed
I don't need to tell anyone how much I love Rory's guitar playing man, what a fucking singer!! Not enough people talk about his amazing voice.
Pink Moon
It never grows old ,Rorys guitar playing still sends a shiver through me
Johan Staelens
Rory, best interaction between artist and audience ever been in Rock history !!!
Steve Watkins
The first time I saw him he was opening for Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac in Long Beach, CA and I had never heard of him. He came out on stage and opened with Messin' with kid and WOW!!!!!I couldnt believe it. I went to 5 more Rory concerts and have everyone of his cd's. one of the best ever.
WELLBRAN
When musicians could actually play live...and play better than in the studio....now there's a thing
Alistair Dimmick
Also when guitarists had 0 pedals (or close to) and simply rolled the volume knob for solos
Adrian Salgado
@Alistair Dimmick just a treble booster for the most part i think
Yeehee
@Alistair Dimmick this was after Hendrix lol
Sam Thunders
Dam straight walk up plug in and play ..
God bless Rory
Seventysounds
My first Rory album, purchased shortly after its release. Messin with the kid was the best class I ever had, a young aspiring guitarist might have. I have the vinyl to this day in perfect condition, even though it was one of the most heard albums in my life.