1) A rock-band from 60's.… Read Full Bio ↴There are two performers called "Shanana":
1) A rock-band from 60's. Although the correct stage name is Sha Na Na or Sha-Na-Na.
2) An eurodance singer from early 90's. The act was produced by Klaus Munzert.
Shanana recorded the single "Wigwam".
Jailhouse Rock
ShaNaNa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The joint was jumpin' and the band began to swing
You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
[Chorus]
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
[Chorus]
Number forty-seven said to number three
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
[Chorus]
The sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
[Chorus]
Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
No one's lookin', now's our chance to make a break"
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks"
[Chorus]
The song "Jailhouse Rock" by ShaNaNa is an upbeat and energetic tune about a party that takes place in the county jail. The warden throws a bash for the inmates, and the prison band begins to play. The inmates all start dancing and singing to the lively music. The lyrics are full of slang and references that give them a sense of time and place - it's easy to imagine the scene of the party with its swinging band, colorful characters, and jitterbugging inmates.
The verse mentions several members of the band, including Spider Murphy on the tenor saxophone, Little Joe on the slide trombone, and the drummer boy from Illinois. The rhythm section is identified as the Purple Gang, perhaps a reference to the notorious Detroit gangsters of the 1920s. The chorus invites everyone to rock out to the Jailhouse Rock, which is all the rage on the whole cell block.
The song has a playful tone that captures the rebellious spirit of rock and roll in the 1950s. The lyrics suggest a world of free-spirited fun and dancing, even in the confines of a prison. At one point, an inmate asks another to dance with him, saying "You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see." It's all in good fun, of course, but it's clear that the music provides a moment of escape for the inmates, even if it's just for a little while.
Line by Line Meaning
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden organized a party within the county jail
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band of prisoners was present and began to play music
The joint was jumpin' and the band began to swing
The atmosphere was electric and the band continued to play great music
You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
Those imprisoned sang so well that you would have been amazed
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Let's all dance to the music
Everybody on the whole cell block
Everyone present in the cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Was dancing to the music played by the prisoners' band
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone well
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Little Joe ably played the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The Illinois drummer played rhythmic music
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
All the musicians were a part of the Purple Gang
Number forty-seven said to number three
Prisoner 47 said to prisoner 3
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
"You're the most attractive prisoner I've ever seen
I sure would be delighted with your company
I would be pleased to spend some time with you
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Let's dance to the music together
The sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
The unhappy person sat on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
The person was crying discreetly in the corner
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden told the prisoner not to be boring
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
You can dance with a wooden chair if you can't find a partner
Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
Shifty Henry exclaimed to Bugs
No one's lookin', now's our chance to make a break"
No one is paying attention, and we have a chance to escape
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix
Bugsy replied to Shifty, 'No, forget it'
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks"
I want to stay a little longer and have some fun
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Let's dance to the music
Everybody on the whole cell block
Everyone in the entire cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Was dancing to the music played by the prisoners' band
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJAMIN WEISMAN, FRED WISE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind