Jailhouse Rock
The Blues Blothers Lyrics
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Prisonband was there and they began to wail
The joint was jumping and the place began to swing
You should have heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
They was dancing 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
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
Well, number 47 said to number 3
You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure'll 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
They were dancing to the jailhouse rock
Let's rock
Sad Sack 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
Can't find a partner, use a wooden chair"
Let's rock, everybody let's rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
They were dancing to the jailhouse rock
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
They was dancing to, dancing to, dancing to, dancing to
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Oh, they was dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
Jailhouse rock, they was dancin' to the jailhouse rock
They was dancin' to the jailhouse rock
They was dancin' to the jailhouse rock
Everybody on the whole cell block
They was dancing to the jailhouse rock
The Blues Brothers’ song “Jailhouse Rock” was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and was originally made famous by Elvis Presley in the movie of the same name. The song starts with the introduction of a party thrown by the warden in the county jail where the prison band was present and started to play music. The prisoners begin to dance and jump around to the music which is described by the singer as the “jailhouse rock”. The song has a fast tempo and is full of excitement and energy as the prisoners let loose and enjoy themselves.
The lyrics make use of several interesting characters such as Spider Murphy, Little Joe, and the drummer boy from Illinois who make up the rhythm section of the band. The prisoners, known as jailbirds, are portrayed as lively and vibrant, with one prisoner expressing his interest in another by saying “You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see”. The song also takes a humorous turn when the warden offers a wooden chair to a prisoner who can't find a partner to dance with.
The lyrics in the song “Jailhouse Rock” express the theme of joyfulness and a sense of freedom despite being in jail. The prisoners find a way to escape their mundane routine and find happiness through dancing, socializing, and generally having a good time. The song, therefore, stands as an anthem for people who have been locked up and are yearning for some form of emotional release.
Line by Line Meaning
Warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison warden organized a celebration in the prison facility
Prisonband was there and they began to wail
A musical band consisting of prison inmates was present and started to play passionately
The joint was jumping and the place began to swing
The party was lively and filled with energy, creating an upbeat atmosphere
You should have heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
The listeners would have been impressed by the beautiful singing of the incarcerated individuals
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Encouragement to dance to the fast-paced music
Everybody on the whole cell block
All inmates present in the facility
They were dancing to the jailhouse rock
The prisoners were swaying to the tune of the upbeat music
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
An individual named Spider Murphy played a saxophone with a tone range between a baritone and an alto saxophone
Little Joe was blowin' on the slide trombone
A musician named Little Joe was playing the trombone using a sliding action to switch between notes
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash boom bang
The drummer from Illinois played his drum kit vigorously and loudly, resulting in a lot of noise
The whole rhythm section was the purple gang
All musicians present formed the rhythm section and belonged to a group called the Purple Gang
Well, number 47 said to number 3
An individual labeled as number 47 spoke to another inmate identified as number 3
You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see
Number 47 complimented number 3 by saying he was the most adorable prisoner they had ever seen
I sure'll be delighted with your company
Number 47 expressed his desire to spend time with number 3
Come on and do the jailhouse rock with me
Number 47 invited number 3 to dance to the upbeat music with him
Sad Sack sittin' on a block of stone
A gloomy-looking individual sat on a rock-like structure
Way over in the corner weepin' all alone
Sad Sack was crying alone in a distant corner
The warden said, "Hey buddy, don't you be no square
The prison warden attempted to boost Sad Sack's mood by telling him not to be sad and depressed
Can't find a partner, use a wooden chair"
If Sad Sack couldn't find anyone to dance with, he could use a chair as a partner
Contributed by Scarlett P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lucas Martínez Parra
The warden threw a party in the county jail.
The prison band was there and they began to wail.
The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing.
You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing.
Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in the whole cell block
was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock.
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock
James L. Anderson
🥁🎸🎹🎺🎷(Blue Harmonica)
James L. Anderson: 🎤🎵The warden threw a party in the county jail🎵
Kirsty Cotton: 🎤🎵The prison band was there and they began to wail🎵
Teenage Andy Barclay: 🎤🎵The band was jumping and the joint began to swing🎵
Tiffany: 🎤🎵You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing🎵
Nancy Thompson Kristen Parker & The Other Dream Warriors: 🎶Let's rock, everybody, let's rock Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock🎵
Younger Andy Barclay: 🎤🎸🎵Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone🎵
Kyle Simpson: 🎤🎸🎵Little Joe was blowing on the slide trombone🎵
Jenny Summers: 🎹🎵The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang🎵
Scooby-Doo: 🎵The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang🎵
Nancy Thompson Kristen Parker & The Other Dream Warriors: 🎶Let's rock, everybody, let's rock Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock🎶
Christina R. Tina McGee: 🎤🎵Number forty-seven said to number three🎵
Mike Norris: 🥁🎵"You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see🎵
Karen Barclay: 🎤🎸🎵I sure would be delighted with your company🎵
Kristen De Silva: 🎤🎸🎵Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me"🎵
Nancy Thompson Kristen Parker & The Other Dream Warriors: 🎶Let's rock, everybody, let's rock Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock🎶
Reverend Cleophus James: 🎵The sad sack was a sitting on a block of stone Way over in the corner weeping all alone🎵
Max Daniels: 🎵The warden said, "Hey, buddy, don't you be no square If you can't find a partner use a wooden 🪑"🎵
Dodger: 🎵Let's rock, everybody, let's rock (Howls)🎵
Mrs. Murphy: 🎵Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock🎵
Nancy Thompson: 🎤🎵Shifty Henry said to Bugs, "For Heaven's sake🎵
Kristen Parker: 🎤🎸🎵No one's looking, now's our chance to make a break"🎵
Joey Crusel: 🎺🎵Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, "Nix nix🎵
Ronald Kincaid: 🥁🎵I want to stick around a while and get my kicks."🎵
Will Stanton: 🎹
Taryn White: 🎸
Doc: 🎺
Alice Johnson: 🎸
Maggie Burroughs: 🎷
The Heroes Squad & Neil Gordon Nancy Thompson Kristen Parker & The Other Dream Warriors: 🎶Let's rock, everybody, let's rock Everybody in the whole cell block Was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock Dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock🎶
L J
It's taken me ages to find the version where it was just them, not the whole set singing. FINALLY! YAAAS!
Dom the Bomb
Someone should cut together a version with the guest performers, but without the crew.
Abnaki Maanlicht
I know...
Hehe believe me the half of us did!
Raban BF
best musical EVER!
mickeydougal
You know, I never actually thought of Blues Brothers as a "musical," but you are absolutely right! It is!
Rick
“Your god damn right.”
Lula Bennett
I totally agree!
Petra Sunda
This is so perfect💅
Extreme Wreck 2000
This is what happens when people decide to turn something short into a really incredible action movie with one of the most jamming soundtracks ever!
Valerio Galli
LET’S ROCK!! This musical is the base of most of my childhood memories.