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.
Lucky Charm
Stray Cats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
Ooowee Suzy, your're my lucky charm
Together we'll go walkin' arm in arm
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
Ooowee Suzy, baby you've got beautiful legs
Ooowee Suzy, baby you've got beautiful legs
You've got beautiful legs and a lovely shape
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
I feel lucky
Yeah if you want to you can think about it, sleep on it, damn it all tomorrow
Yeah if you want to you can think about it, sleep on it, damn it all tomorrow
Tell your mother and your father that you won't be home tonight
We can meet up in the woods underneath the pale moon light
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
Ooowee Baby you're my lucky charm
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
The Stray Cats' "Lucky Charm" is a love song that focuses on the singer's infatuation with a woman named Suzy. He expresses her importance in his life and refers to her as his good luck charm. The chorus repeats this sentiment several times, emphasizing her significance. The singer also comments on Suzy's physical appearance, specifically her legs and shape, which he finds attractive. The verses mention their future plans to walk arm in arm and to meet up in the woods under the pale moonlight, insinuating a romantic and adventurous relationship.
The song seems to be a celebration of newfound love and the idea that finding someone special can bring luck and positive experiences into one's life. The chorus's repetition of "lucky charm" reinforces this idea and adds a catchy, upbeat energy to the song. The verses' playful nature adds to the overall sense of fun and enjoyment that comes with being in love.
Overall, "Lucky Charm" is a sweet ode to a new romantic connection and the positive impact it can have on one's life. The playful lyrics and upbeat melody make for an enjoyable listen, and the message of finding happiness and luck through love is both nostalgic and universal.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooowee Suzy, baby you're my lucky charm
The singer considers Suzy to be a positive influence on his life and believes that his relationship with her brings him good fortune.
Together we'll go walkin' arm in arm
The singer and Suzy plan to spend time together and are comfortable showing affection by walking closely with linked arms.
Ooowee Suzy, baby you've got beautiful legs
The singer admires Suzy's physical appearance, specifically complimenting her attractive legs and shape.
I've got my eyes on you baby and you can't escape
The artist is attracted to Suzy and is intent on pursuing her romantically.
I feel lucky
The artist is confident that being with Suzy will bring him good luck or positive outcomes.
Yeah if you want to you can think about it, sleep on it, damn it all tomorrow
The singer is urging Suzy to make an impulsive decision and spend the night with him without worrying about the consequences of her actions.
Tell your mother and your father that you won't be home tonight
The singer is encouraging Suzy to break free from societal expectations and spend the night with him instead of returning home.
We can meet up in the woods underneath the pale moon light
The artist suggests a romantic, secluded place for him and Suzy to spend the night together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind