The Blues Brothers are an American blues band founded in 1978 by comedians … Read Full Bio ↴The Blues Brothers are an American blues band founded in 1978 by comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as part of a musical sketch on Saturday Night Live. Belushi and Aykroyd, respectively in character as lead vocalist "Joliet" Jake Blues and harpist/vocalist Elwood Blues, fronted the band, which was composed of well-known and respected musicians. The band made its debut as the musical guest on the April 22, 1978, episode of Saturday Night Live.

The band then began to take on a life beyond the confines of the television screen, releasing an album, Briefcase Full of Blues, in 1978, and then having a Hollywood film, The Blues Brothers, created around its characters in 1980.

After the death of Belushi in 1982, the Blues Brothers have continued to perform with a rotation of guest singers and other band members. Aykroyd reunited the original band in 1988 for a world tour and again in 1998 for a sequel to the film, Blues Brothers 2000. Aykroyd and the band, occasionally joined by Belushi's brother Jim, make regular appearances at musical festivals worldwide.

Messin’ With The Kid
The Blues Brothers Lyrics

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What's this I hear
There's a whole lotta talk
The people say you try to quit the kid

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messin' with the kid

Now the kid plays hot
And hot don't pay
I say what I mean, I mean what I say

Yeah, yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messin' with the kid

Well tell me you love me
You tell me a lie
But I know I love ya baby, 'til the day I die

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But I call it messing with the kid

Elwood, Elwood!
-Yeah?
You want to mess with the kid?
-Nah Jake, I don't want to mess with the kid...
Yeah I know, I know that. How about you guys back here? You want to mess with the kid? Any of you guys? How about you people out there you want to mess with the kid?

Gonna take the kid's car
Drive around town
Tell everybody trying to put him down

Hey yeah
Tell me what you did

You can call it what you want
I call it messin' with the kid

Overall Meaning

The Blues Brothers' song "Messin’ With The Kid" has a playful and confrontational tone that is typical of blues music, with the central message being that no one should mess with the kid. The first few lines set the scene with the kid being talked about by people who are trying to quit or stop him from doing something. However, the lyrics reveal the singer's loyalty to the kid, who plays "hot" and "hot don't pay," meaning that being good at something isn't always enough to succeed. The singer asserts that they "say what I mean, I mean what I say," asserting their commitment to the kid and their stance on the situation.

As the song progresses, the singer becomes more confrontational, challenging anyone who wants to mess with the kid. They also express their love for someone who may be telling them lies, but whom they love nonetheless. The song's final verse speaks to the loyalty and camaraderie of the situation, with the singer's friends and the audience all joining in to support the kid and drive around town to tell everyone that the kid can't be stopped.

Overall, the song is a classic example of the blues genre's focus on emotion, loyalty, and defiance. Through the playful lyrics, the singer asserts their commitment to the kid, their authenticity, and their willingness to take on anyone who challenges them.

Line by Line Meaning

What's this I hear
I have heard rumors and gossip about your actions

There's a whole lotta talk
There is a significant amount of discussion and speculation going on

The people say you try to quit the kid
Many individuals are claiming that you are trying to leave or abandon the kid

Hey yeah
An interjection of affirmation, agreement or enthusiasm

Tell me what you did
Please explain your actions and behavior

You can call it what you want
You may try to label or justify your actions differently

But I call it messin' with the kid
From my perspective, you are intentionally and harmfully interfering with the kid

Now the kid plays hot
The kid performs with a passionate intensity

And hot don't pay
Despite the kid's talent and effort, it does not always result in success or reward

I say what I mean, I mean what I say
I am straightforward and honest in my communication

Yeah, yeah
An interjection of affirmation, agreement or enthusiasm

Tell me what you did
Please explain your actions and behavior

You can call it what you want
You may try to label or justify your actions differently

But I call it messin' with the kid
From my perspective, you are intentionally and harmfully interfering with the kid

Well tell me you love me
Please express your affection for me

You tell me a lie
However, you are dishonest and insincere in your declarations

But I know I love ya baby, 'til the day I die
Regardless, I am committed and devoted to you for my entire life

Hey yeah
An interjection of affirmation, agreement or enthusiasm

Tell me what you did
Please explain your actions and behavior

You can call it what you want
You may try to label or justify your actions differently

But I call it messing with the kid
From my perspective, you are intentionally and harmfully interfering with the kid

Elwood, Elwood!
A call to the character Elwood to get his attention

-Yeah?
Elwood responds

You want to mess with the kid?
Asking Elwood if he wants to interfere with the kid

-Nah Jake, I don't want to mess with the kid...
Elwood declines the offer to interfere with the kid

Yeah I know, I know that. How about you guys back here? You want to mess with the kid? Any of you guys? How about you people out there you want to mess with the kid?
Jake asks a group of people (presumably the band and/or audience) if they want to interfere with the kid as well

Gonna take the kid's car
The plan is to take the kid's automobile

Drive around town
To cruise or tour through the streets

Tell everybody trying to put him down
Spread the word to everyone who is criticizing or belittling the kid

Hey yeah
An interjection of affirmation, agreement or enthusiasm

Tell me what you did
Please explain your actions and behavior

You can call it what you want
You may try to label or justify your actions differently

I call it messin' with the kid
From my perspective, you are intentionally and harmfully interfering with the kid

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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