Jailhouse Rock
Sha Na Na Lyrics
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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
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
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
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
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"
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
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"
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
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"
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
The Sha Na Na's song Jailhouse Rock is based on the story of a dance party that took place in a county jail. The lyrics are full of imagery, describing the scene in detail. The warden throws a party and the prison band starts playing, causing the joint to start jumping. The description of the music starting and the prisoners beginning to dance gives the impression of a wild party taking place in an unexpected place. The prisoners are referred to as "jailbirds" and the rhythm section of the band is called the Purple Gang. The song is not so much about the lyrics themselves, but the energy and joy of dancing and having a good time.
The second verse of the song introduces several more characters, including Spider Murphy, Little Joe, and the drummer boy from Illinois. They each have their moment to shine as they play their instrument and add to the exciting rhythm of the music. Number forty-seven is entranced by number three, and urges them to dance together to the Jailhouse Rock. The scene then shifts to a sad sack crying in the corner. The warden urges him to participate in the party and dance with a wooden chair if he can't find a partner.
There is a sense of camaraderie among the prisoners, as demonstrated when Shifty and Bugs plan to make a break for it. However, Bugsy decides to stick around and enjoy the music, echoing the sentiment of the chorus, "Let's rock, everybody, let's rock." This song embodies the idea that music has the power to bring people together, even in the most unexpected places.
Line by Line Meaning
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden of the county jail organized a party inside the premises
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band of inmates who play musical instruments was present and started playing loudly
The joint was jumpin' and the band began to swing
The atmosphere of the party was lively, and the band started playing with rhythm and enthusiasm
You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
The inmates who were drunk or high sang with great passion and energy
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
The singer is calling everyone to start dancing and enjoying the music
Everybody on the whole cell block
Everyone who was in jail at the time
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Were dancing to the music that was being played
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Spider Murphy was playing the tenor saxophone, a wind instrument
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Little Joe was playing the slide trombone, another wind instrument
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The drummer boy from Illinois was playing energetically with loud beats
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
The group of musicians who were playing instruments together and coordinating their sound was called the Purple Gang
Number forty-seven said to number three
Inmate number forty-seven addressed inmate number three
"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Inmate number forty-seven compliments inmate number three on their appearance
I sure would be delighted with your company
Inmate number forty-seven expresses their desire to spend time with inmate number three
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Inmate number forty-seven invites inmate number three to dance to the Jailhouse Rock together
The sad sack was a sittin' on a block of stone
There was an unhappy and lonely inmate sitting on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
The inmate was crying alone in a corner
The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden addressed the lonely inmate and encouraged them to join in the fun
If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair"
The warden suggested that the lonely inmate dance with a wooden chair if they couldn't find a partner
Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
Inmate Shifty Henry spoke to Inmate Bugs
No one's lookin', now's our chance to make a break"
Shifty Henry suggested that they could escape while nobody was watching
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix
Bugsy declined Shifty's suggestion
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks"
Bugsy wanted to stay and have some fun before thinking about escaping
Everybody on the whole cell block
Everyone who was in jail at the time
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Were dancing to the music that was being played
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind