Stray Cats is a rockabilly band which formed in 1979 in Massapequa, New Yor… Read Full Bio ↴Stray Cats is a rockabilly band which formed in 1979 in Massapequa, New York, United States. The band consists of Brian Setzer (vocals, guitar), Lee Rocker (bass) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums). The band released two successful albums in the United Kingdom in 1981 before releasing their American debut album "Built for Speed" the following year. The band's singles "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town" were successful in multiple countries.

The group, whose style was based upon the sounds of Sun Records artists and other artists from the 1950s, were heavily influenced by Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent and Bill Haley & His Comets. The Stray Cats quickly developed a large following in the New York music scene playing at CBGB and Max's Kansas City as well as venues on Long Island. When the Cats heard a rumor that there was a revival of the 1950s Teddy Boy youth subculture in England, the band moved to the UK. They then spearheaded the nascent rockabilly revival, by blending the 1950s Sun Studio sound with modern punk musical elements. In terms of visual style the Stray Cats also blended elements of 1950 rockabilly clothes such as wearing drape jackets, brothel creepers and western shirts with punk clothes such as tight black zipper trousers and modern versions of 1950s hair styles.

In the summer of 1980 the Cats found themselves being courted by the elite of the music world including Virgin Records, Stiff Records and Arista Records. Word quickly spread and soon members of The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were at their shows. After a gig in London, Stray Cats met producer Dave Edmunds, well known as a roots rock enthusiast for his work with Rockpile and as a solo artist. Edmunds offered to work with the group, and they entered the studio to record their self-titled debut album, Stray Cats, released in England in 1981 on Arista Records. They had three hits that year with "Runaway Boys", "Rock This Town", and "Stray Cat Strut". The UK follow-up to Stray Cats, Gonna Ball, was not as well-received, providing no hits. Yet the combined sales of their first two albums was enough to convince EMI America to compile the best tracks from the two UK albums and issue an album (Built for Speed) in the U.S. in 1982. The record went on to sell double platinum in the US and Canada and was the #2 record on the Billboard album charts for 26 weeks

Musical and personal conflicts began to emerge in the ways that the individual members handled their new-found success; Phantom married actress Britt Ekland, while Setzer made guest appearances with stars like Bob Dylan and Stevie Nicks and became the concert guitarist for Robert Plant's Honeydrippers side project. In late 1984, the band added former BMT's guitarist and Long Island native Tommy Byrnes on second guitar and harmony vocals, and after a European and US tour which ended at the New Orleans World's Fair, parted ways.

Rocker and Phantom formed a trio called Phantom Rocker & Slick (the "Slick" being former David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick) which contained the single "Men Without Shame", guest musicians on this record included both Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and Nicky Hopkins on the piano. Setzer went on to a solo career, retaining Byrnes and exchanging his rockabilly focus for a more wide-ranging roots rock/Americana sound on albums such as 1986's The Knife Feels Like Justice. In 1986, the Stray Cats reunited in Los Angeles, and recorded the covers-heavy Rock Therapy. In 1989, they reunited once again for the album Blast Off!, which was accompanied by a tour with US blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. No longer with EMI America, they entered the studio with Nile Rodgers for the record titled Let's Go Faster, issued by Liberation in 1990. After 1992's Dave Edmunds-produced Choo Choo Hot Fish, and after another covers album, 1993's Original Cool, the group called it quits again.

In 2004, the Stray Cats reunited for a month-long tour of Europe. A live album culled from those concerts, Rumble In Brixton, included one new studio track, "Mystery Train Kept A Rollin'." In 2007, they reunited once again for a successful and long awaited US tour with ZZ Top and The Pretenders. This was their first North American tour in over 15 years. In the 2000s, the band toured Europe as part of their Farewell Tour, although the band has performed concerts intermittently in the ensuing years.

In 2008, for the first time in 18 years, the Stray Cats visited Australia and New Zealand which included several consecutive sold out shows of their Farewell (Australia) Tour.

In April 2009 the band reunited for a single show to celebrate Brian’s 50th birthday at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis, MN.

Bring It Back Again
Stray Cats Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You wear that pretty dress we never could go wrong
We had no money but never seem to care
Our love took us everywhere

Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again

I cruise around in a rag top ride
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
But now I got no one by my side
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Though I never share my memories
No one by my side to comfort me
I need your little hand to hold in mine
Got to hold you all the time

Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again

Is it any wonder, why I love you so
Oh you were my first love
When your arms met mine

You just stole my heart for all time

Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again

I cruise around with the radio on
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Wide open highway with the sun going down
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Though I know I'm the only one to blame
I've had enough of this sorrow and pain
I know that deep down you still feel the same

Bring me your love back again
Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
Come on bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
Come on bring it back again
Bring it back again

Overall Meaning

In Stray Cats’ song Bring It Back Again, the singer reminisces about past memories with a loved one and longs to bring back the happiness they once shared. The chorus repeats the phrase “Bring it back again” as a plea to revive the old times. The verses describe the joy the singer used to feel while driving around with the radio on and their loved one by their side. The mention of a guitar and a “pretty dress” adds a nostalgic tone to the lyrics. The second verse reveals that the singer is alone now and feels the absence of their companion. The lyrics suggest that the relationship ended due to the singer’s fault, but they still believe that the love they shared is strong enough to bring them back together.

The song reflects on the universal theme of lost love and the longing to recover a relationship that once brought happiness. The simple, repetitive lyrics reinforce the singer’s feelings of nostalgia and desire to bring back the past. The use of the phrase “make me feel alright” throughout the song emphasizes the importance of the loved one’s presence in the singer’s life. The upbeat and catchy melody combined with the raw vocals and guitar riffs create a rockabilly sound that suits the retro vibe of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
The singer desires to bring back a previous moment of joy and love.

I cruise around with the radio on Make me feel alright Make me feel alright Wide open highway and the sun going down Make me feel alright Make me feel alright
The singer finds comfort and solace in driving with music, particularly when the sun is setting.

I grab my guitar and pick out a song You wear that pretty dress we never could go wrong We had no money but never seem to care Our love took us everywhere
The singer recalls a time when they had little but each other, relying on love to explore and enjoy life.

I cruise around in a rag top ride Make me feel alright Make me feel alright But now I got no one by my side Make me feel alright Make me feel alright
The artist used to cruise with someone they loved in a convertible, but now they do it alone and wish they had someone with them.

Though I never share my memories No one by my side to comfort me I need your little hand to hold in mine Got to hold you all the time
The artist wishes they could share their memories with someone they loved and longs for physical affection and touch.

Is it any wonder, why I love you so Oh you were my first love When your arms met mine You just stole my heart for all time
The singer reflects on their enduring love for their first love and how they fell in love at first touch.

Though I know I'm the only one to blame I've had enough of this sorrow and pain I know that deep down you still feel the same
The singer takes responsibility for the end of the relationship but believes that their former love still reciprocates their feelings.

Bring me your love back again Bring it back again Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again Bring it back again Come on bring it back again Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again Bring it back again
The artist pleads for their former love to return and rekindle their relationship.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@juanmanuelmercadobarragan3591

48w

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊🎉🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉🎉😊😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊🎉😊😊🎉😊😊😊😊😊😊🎉😊😂😂❤😂😂😂😂😂😂l🎉ml
...........🎉.🎉.........................
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🎉Oo?l😮😅🎉😅😮😅😮🎉..😅..m

M

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.
..
..mm
......

@anubisodair

40w↑10

Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
I cruise around with the radio on
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Wide open highway and the sun going down
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
I grab my guitar and pick out a song
You wear that pretty dress we never could go wrong
We had no money but never seem to care
Our love took us everywhere
Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
I cruise around in a rag top ride
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
But now I got no one by my side
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Though I never share my memories
No one by my side to comfort me
I need your little hand to hold in mine
Got to hold you all the time
Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
Is it any wonder, why I love you so
Oh you were my first love
When your arms met mine
You just stole my heart for all time
Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
I cruise around with the radio on
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Wide open highway with the sun going down
Make me feel alright
Make me feel alright
Though I know I'm the only one to blame
I've had enough of this sorrow and pain
I know that deep down you still feel the same
Bring me your love back again
Bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
Come on bring it back again
Bring it back. Bring it back. Bring it back again
Bring it back again
Come on bring it back again
Bring it back again

@MultiMark2

3y↑3

I grab my guitar and pick out a song
You wear that pretty dress we never could go wrong
We had no money but never seem to care
Our love took us everywhere...

Though I never share my memories
No one by my side to comfort me
I need your little hand to hold in mine
Got to hold you all the time...

Though I know I'm the only one to blame
I've had enough of this sorrow and pain
I know that deep down you still feel the same
Bring me your love back again...

All comments from YouTube:

@teddyboy10w

14y↑47

I still think this is one of the best the Cats ever done! Wish there where more bands around with the same energy! Love It !!!!!!!!!!!!

@juanmanuelmercadobarragan3591

48w

@ChedarWhizzie

21w↑2

@@GabrielLopez-l5lI’m sure he’ll see that now, 13 years later. Also how will that help?

@GabrielLopez-l5l

21w

@@ChedarWhizzie you➡️🤬🧹🙆⬅️me

@ChedarWhizzie

21w↑1

@@GabrielLopez-l5l I don’t speak emoji.

@FreshTillDeath56

4y↑15

Nothin like rockabilly, great weather, and the open highway. Still my favorite road-tune!

@petrikoskiniemi8245

6w↑1

Please, please, please....Bring it BACK again❤❤❤

@WillieStratton

17y↑3

dang, people should bring it back again, rockabilly is so cool, the clothes, the hair THE MUSIC

@melgrant7404

6y↑1

Will never die rockabilly 4 ever

@anubisodair

40w↑10

@davidnorth9390

12w↑1

Thank you for providing this

@spectrelfc1152

8y↑29

The Stray Cats are perfect. Their music is by far the best I've ever heard. I'll put them on whenever I'm taking my '68 Mustang downtown. They could be big again, if they were promoted correctly.

@IchbinSchalker

16y↑10

one of the best Stray Cats songs.

@wesleycook7687

1y↑4

One of the best bands of the 80s and the 90s. . And Brian even played Eddie Cochran in La Bamba. 😊😊😊

@tatianajones4550

4y↑8

This was the very first stray cats song I learned on guitar and it will always have a special place in my heart!

@AnitaVickers-ey2nw

2y↑2

Stray cats are the greatest rockabilly band around I will always be a number 1 fan of the great stray cats.

@stephenstone8817

6y↑6

There was such a buzz with myself and my rockabilly friends in 1989 cos Stray Cats were back with a vengeance. Great memories of this track I have the original album released at the time and the 12" single release of" I fought the law". Great tracks by a brilliant band.

@AnitaVickers-ey2nw

1y↑1

Just keep going back to this. love this song like all the legendary songs of the stray cats. Legends in their own rights. No competition. My number ones Brian Lee and Slim Jim. Love u forever stray cats my number one singers. ❤

@calvinmaynardtmt

11y↑49

I love Brian's voice here -- it's so deep and rich. He could easily have become a jazz crooner to match Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin if he had gone down that road.

@emperorwang0861

10y↑12

I was thinking the exact same thing before I read your comment. I love Setzer's voice, it's always great, but this is definitely an outstanding performance by him.

@MrTeza123

4y↑1

@@emperorwang0861 they did 40 brill just love the cats

@carlanogueira5748

1y↑4

Em 2023 ouvindo Stray Cats. Amo desde a minha adolescência!! ❤😻

@agustingarciafernandez1772

24w↑1

❤

@debsf57

11y↑12

Just love Brian and the boys, very under-rated!! And oh how they can play, no-one beats them live in concert!! You guys rock.

@BobbyMcFarrinMon

32w↑1

I ADORE this song

@BandaAtittude-gb8ex

42w↑2

I love Stray Cats!

@ATaleOfFiction

18y↑6

Man, this is a fantastic song.

@grimnavyseal

17y↑2

I love the leather jackets. rockabilly rules. if only we could have good music like this now.

@itgrrrlofsfbay

2y↑2

The stray cats is really Coool w/ their 1950s Style❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️😽💋❤️‍🔥

@gerinverno79

12y↑9

Brian Setzer lo tiene todo una gran voz, un super dios para la guitarra y un gran look! Stray Cats son la mejor banda!!!

@manuelortizrobles3944

4y↑4

Hermosa época de los Stray Cats !!, inolvidable tema, grandes recuerdos!!! Cómo pasan los años!!!.

@suimah541

5y↑1

One of my favorite video and song of all times! Luv Brian’s voice! Please bring back the clothes, hair, music!🤩

@stephenstone8817

6y↑6

Great memories of this song in 89 it felt like their comeback record after what seemed to be years since I heard anything from them. I remember the song being played om Miami Vice at the time and loved it. Its still great now

@thk5150

16y↑2

music is timeless...........doesnt matter how old you or the music is!

@fransedgren9966

12y↑2

One of the best voices I have ever enjoyed. And a great song.

@AnitaVickers-ey2nw

2y↑1

Stray cats the best nobody can compete with this great band

@StevenFordrockabillycat

10y↑73

Rockabilly is king.Stray cats prove this.

@ezerocket0381

4y↑4

That is true

@gavinthegreaser5226

3y↑1

Yes they do cat

@spacehitchhiker4264

8y↑14

one of my favorite stray cats songs

@Rockinroomsrob

3y↑1

Probably my favourite cats tune.

@jasonevans1532

43w↑2

Best band ever 😃 🎸

@stephenridall3075

3y↑2

When I would play this on road trips, for 3 minutes and 9 seconds, I would find myself driving much faster than I would under normal circumstances. 😉 Such a great song. 😎

@MultiMark2

3y↑3

@Paimon311

16y↑2

you just said it, a REAL rock and Roll hall of fame... Great song!

@soulman4692

1y↑1

Have heard it today on Rockabilly-Radio...!!!

@ladyabsentia

16y↑1

one of.. if not THE best cats video!

@KellySouzasz

8y↑12

Encontrei eles, encontreeeeei!
Que gosto de minha adolescência, de recordação, maravilhoso!

@ThePandu4454

6y↑1

Assistiu eles quando estiveram na Brasil?

@plurrjunkie

15y↑2

i grew up listening to the stray cats they are and forever will be my favorite band

@melgrant7404

6y↑2

Me tooxx

@Mmonk3y

16y↑9

:) im 16 here and been listening StrayCats for like 3years now =) theyr just so awesome !

@nicolleboden7902

4y↑6

Still listening at 27?

@Amine-rd7qi

3y↑2

And now?

@outside_mike

51w↑2

And now? C’mon, man!

@sven7023

Must be still listening

@fabfrith

18y↑2

The Stray Cats are the rockinest! Elvis, Buddy Holly, and The Stray Cats!

@mmckissack2379

8y↑10

best trio ever...best band.

@givaldofarias

16y↑2

Hy, i'm from Brazil and i know this band since 1985. The great band and the great song!!!!!!

@Olbermannfan05

16y↑4

Stray Cats are the best.

@Oceanborn1975

16y↑4

Thanx 4 posting!!! It reminds me of my own good ol´ times. The guys really kicked ass in rockabilly. Brian Setzer is still one of the greatest.

@miraclemike2

19y↑1

Real cool teddyboy rock n roll.

@safetymonkey42

15y↑3

what a badass band

@richardkubicek3848

3y↑2

Mr.Seltzer can play more notes than ants on a Tennessee ant hill. Sleepwalk.

@vintagefreak6726

9y↑61

Man, we need another rockabilly revival! Where's the second coming of the Stray Cats when you need them??? ;_;

@ecc84

9y↑1

that was the second coming of the Stray cats.

@vintagefreak6726

9y↑3

+ecc84 Well, I guess your technically right haha. But I pretty much meant a revival of rockabilly about the size the Stray Cats caused in today's world.

@ecc84

9y↑1

I agree :-)

@iansweet9465

6y↑2

they came back man!

@melgrant7404

5y↑2

@@iansweet9465 big time! 4oth anniversary tour and album❤❤❤

@olgica2003

16y

Meraviglioso sono 'Stray Cats' gli ho visto, anni fa.

@tucanoparkour

17y

Stray cats!!... rockabilly the true Rock...

@randhalljoss6762

8y↑7

we gonna rock this world ,rockabilly and dixie for ever

@xgirl2083

5y↑1

Stray cats is de beste

@meatbundle

16y↑5

I remember seeing this on Mtv when it was a new tune...makes me cry...just too good.

@markdooley8256

8y↑1

I used to love this song, thank you for youtube to remind us of great classic tracks.

@Sergej_Dudov

My lovely rockabilly band.

@REEDRICHARDS2

4y↑1

What a timeless SONG!!!

@olioli6883

6y↑1

Juste best trio...best band. !!!

@laurentbiauzon4360

6y↑1

VIVE LES STRAY Cats

@UFBVideos

17y

Stray Cats forever!

@olliegonna

5y↑1

rockabily needs to come back again bring it back yes yes yes

@meisonito

17y

yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

@meharidude

16y↑1

Me too, i had the tickets for their very first gig in Copenhagen, then they spilt like 2 weeks prior to the gig..arggh That was more than 25 years ago..Now i finally saw them, last year..wow

@PlaceboMode

15y

Brings back ... tons of memories!

@mickcatar

16y↑1

great music, great people, great atmosphere.

@cyberemily

15y↑1

rockabilly baby !

@mickcatar

16y↑1

just saw them live in melbourne other nite, these guys fuckin rock.

@LocoRico89

13y↑6

Traveling in the south to Memphis, TN, in a turquoise 50's Cadillac Cadillac Eldorado convertible with its top down and dashing down the highway with rockabilly playing full blast! -sigh- I wanna do that someday with this song

@davideo1954

Victor Smith also play 18 miles from Memphis when you're, well, you know

@seanmeisner3190

Victor Smith:
If you see a ducktailed fellow with a Gretsch guitar by the side of the road...please pick me up haha

@elgatucu6488

29w

Grandes recuerdos de adolescencia esperando este disco y este vídeo frente al televisor. Canción muy bonita, la mejor del álbum de largo.
Brings back nice teenage days memories, in front of TV waiting for this record and this video.
Certainly the best song on this album!

@Polycsis

15y↑1

stray cats are the best

@roquero03

17y↑6

my favorite stray cats song.. its so awesome, brings back good memories about that one lil girl in my life that i'll never forget

@ubiratanrolemberg5946

5y↑1

Good times

@Steam_City

8y↑37

Wish the Stray Cats would Bring it back again.

@nickhoek2879

6y↑2

And so they did 😜 saw them in amsterdam last monday they we're great

@dsharp7441

6y↑1

just saw them last night....

@savanaviolenta

5y↑1

They did it with their 40 album ;)

@macca11964

13y

my fave band allways loved them this tune is just amazing

@red152mm

Always loved this song!!...fast paced!...

@stevenjohnray

14y

This song is just class . What more can you want .

@sven7023

It wil always be amazing

@MrTeza123

4y↑1

I'm 57 loved the cats since i was 17

@rodrigoraulsuarez

10y↑6

Great song!

@JustaSideOrderOfLove

16y↑1

AMAZING STUFF! i just LOVE this song!

@rockenpete1

17y

ya great band

@TakisZed

17y

Stray cats really rocked back then, wish they still did :-/ Rockabilly Rulez!.. and this is the best sample of it. Great vocals, great music, great energy... miss those days badly! (at least some good punx are still around in our days)

@callmeclark9899

This is so good I can’t stop replaying it

@givaldofarias

16y↑5

Only one word for this video: AMAZING!!!!!!!!

@FATBAZ01

What is that beautiful geetar he.s playing... Lovely instrument...

@hi_immkaylee

This song is just so good
I can’t stop looping it

@bbb462cid

5y↑2

Criminally underrated band

@kat834

8y↑3

cool song..... gets you rocking!!

@Roniel81

15y↑3

Great stuff!! Long live rockabilly

@catherinedesantis8043

11y↑4

LOVE!!!

@FinkChrist

13y↑5

My God, that deep voice...

@masa5307

Quel groupe !!!! Génial

@isomohis

17y

love to hear this againnagain!! love live rockn roll

@YakYo

17y

greatest band ever.

@ubaqtpi

15y↑1

Love the talent

@melgrant7404

Not bad is he?!!!❤❤

@monkee426

15y↑5

i just love the CAT!

@CANALLAization

7y↑1

I love this song!

@munhoeo

18y

That's what i call Rock&Roll .... Viva the Cats

@bustarhymez85

17y

perfect

@punker182

15y↑1

Amazing ... Stray Cats ... Rockabilly rules ... yeah

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