Jailhouse Rock
Stoller Lyrics

The warden threw a party in the county jail
The warden hosted a celebration within the jail's confines.

The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band reserved for in-house performances was present and started playing enthusiastically.

The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing
The band performance was lively, and the facility began to come alive.

You should've heard them knocked-out jailbirds sing
The other prisoners who were no longer conscious due to the mood of the music were singing in a trance-like state.

Let's rock; everybody, let's rock
The song includes an invitation to dance to the beat.

Everybody in the whole cell block
All the in-mates of the cell block including guards and other personnel were partaking in the celebration.

Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Everyone was joining in the scruffy yet entertaining dance moves to the song.

Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Spider Murphy was playing the tenor saxophone with skill.

Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
Little Joe was blowing into the slide trombone with precision.

The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The drummer from Illinois played loud crashing beats.

The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
The band's rhythm section was called the Purple Gang.

Number forty-seven said to number three
Prisoner forty-seven was talking to prisoner number three.

"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Prisoner forty-seven was admiring prisoner number three.

I sure would be delighted with your company
Prisoner forty-seven proposed a friendly company with prisoner number three.

Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"
Prisoner forty-seven invited prisoner number three to dance with him.

Sad sack was sittin' on a block of stone
A melancholic inmate was sitting on a stone block.

Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
He was crying by himself in the isolated corner of the cell.

The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square
The warden advised the distressed inmate not to be dispirited.

If you can't find a partner, use a wooden chair"
The warden suggested that the inmate could use a wooden chair as a dance partner.

Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake
Shifty Henry spoke to Bugs and paid a profound respect to heaven.

No one's lookin'; now's our chance to make a break"
Since nobody was watching, Shifty Henry suggested that it was a good time to make an escape from prison.

Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix, nix
Bugsy interjected and rejected the idea of escaping.

I want to stick around a while and get my kicks"
Bugsy wanted to stay and have some fun.

Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Repetition of the refrain with a slight variation of spelling.