Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
The Gangster Is Back
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I done traded in my old horse for a brand new Cadillac
I'm gonna play some blues
Cause I know you like that
Gonna get real loose
And do the jumpback jack
When I walk into a bar
Say I'm the gangster
Listen while a play for you
A crazy little thing called guitar blue
Red, black, yellow, or white
It don't matter mamas
You're all outta sight
Don't get too heavy
Now don't get uptight
Cause the gangster's here to turn on your light
You're my horse and you never win a race
And I dig you mama and your real crazy legs
When I walk into a bar
Girls from near and far
Say I'm the gangster
Do do do do do do
Do do do do do do
Do do do do do do
Do do do do do do
Go gangster (do do do do do)
Go gangster (do do do do)
Go gangster (do do do do do)
Go gangster (do do do do)
I'm a gangster
Started long time ago
Down in Texas where the guitars grow
Folks down there got all shook up
When I cut myself loose and did my stuff
Now it's ready, set
Ready, set go
Time for the gangster to start the show
Well, I'm lookin' for women
I'm on the road again
You know the gangster don't lose
He always win
When I walk into a bar
Girls from near and far
Say I'm the gangster
You better look out the gangster's back
The song "The Gangster Is Back" by the Steve Miller Band is all about the return of the gangster. In the song, the gangster describes how he has traded in his old horse for a new Cadillac, and how he's ready to play some blues music for his audience. The gangster then promises to get loose and do the jumpback jack, showing off his cool and confident attitude. He also talks about his love for women, as he's always on the lookout for new ones while on the road.
The gangster in this song seems to be a man who is confident and unapologetic about his lifestyle. He's proud of being a gangster, and he enjoys showing off his skills and talents to anyone who will listen. The song also has a very catchy tune that is easy to sing along with.
Overall, "The Gangster Is Back" is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the carefree and rebellious spirit of the gangster.
Line by Line Meaning
Look out, the gangster's back
I'm back and better than ever; be wary of me
I done traded in my old horse for a brand new Cadillac
I upgraded my transportation, showing off my wealth and status
I'm gonna play some blues
I plan on playing some soulful, emotional music
Cause I know you like that
I know my fans enjoy hearing these types of songs
Gonna get real loose
I'm letting myself go and having fun
And do the jumpback jack
I'm going to dance wildly and have a good time
When I walk into a bar
Wherever I go, people recognize and admire me
Girls from near and far
Women from all over come to see me perform
Say I'm the gangster
They call me by my nickname, recognizing my power and influence
Listen while a play for you
Pay attention while I showcase my talent
A crazy little thing called guitar blue
I'm about to play a unique and exciting song on my guitar
Red, black, yellow, or white
It doesn't matter what skin color or ethnicity, I appreciate and attract them all
It don't matter mamas
I call out affectionately to the women watching me perform
You're all outta sight
You're all amazing and incredible to me
Don't get too heavy
Don't take life too seriously or get too dramatic
Now don't get uptight
Relax and enjoy yourself
Cause the gangster's here to turn on your light
I'm here to bring joy and happiness to your life
You're my horse and you never win a race
You might not be successful in other areas of life, but you're attractive to me
And I dig you mama and your real crazy legs
I find you attractive and love the way you move
Go gangster (do do do do do)
I'm hyping myself up and asserting my dominance
I'm a gangster
I'm in charge and powerful
Started long time ago
My career began a while ago
Down in Texas where the guitars grow
I started playing music in Texas, a place known for guitar music
Folks down there got all shook up
My unique style of music caused excitement and buzz
When I cut myself loose and did my stuff
When I started playing music my own way and showing off my skills
Now it's ready, set
I'm prepared and focused
Ready, set go
I'm about to start performing
Time for the gangster to start the show
I'm ready to showcase my musical talent
Well, I'm lookin' for women
I'm on the hunt for female attention and connection
I'm on the road again
I'm traveling around, performing and living my life
You know the gangster don't lose
I'm confident and know I'll always come out on top
He always win
I'm always the victor and dominant force
You better look out the gangster's back
I'm back and ready to take on the world; you better watch out for me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVE MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind