Messin' With the Kid
The Blues Brothers Lyrics
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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
The Blues Brothers' song "Messin' With the Kid" is a classic blues track that laments the attempts of others to sabotage the success of an up-and-coming artist. The lyrics vividly describe the situation in which the kid - a talented musician - is facing criticism and rumors that he is quitting, while his rivals try to bring him down. The lyrics are a message to those who are trying to hamper the success of the kid, and the song is a warning that their efforts will be in vain since the kid will continue to play.
The first verse of the song talks about the rumors of the kid quitting and the attempts to stop him from succeeding. The chorus then follows, where the songwriter speaks about how he feels about the situation - that others may call it whatever they want, but to him, it's simply "messin' with the kid." The second verse then delves into the kid's talent, and how his opponents' attempts to bring him down by saying that "hot don't pay" will be futile - the kid will continue to play because that's what he loves to do. The final verse is a plea to the lover of the artist, where the songwriter is saying that, although the lover may lie and say that they don't love him anymore, the songwriter still loves them - in fact, he will love them until the day he dies.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this I hear
I have heard something and I am curious about it.
There's a whole lotta talk
I have heard a lot of rumors and gossip going around.
The people say you try to quit the kid
According to rumors, you are trying to end your association with the kid.
Hey yeah
An exclamation expressing eagerness or excitement.
Tell me what you did
Tell me what actions you have taken that have led to this situation.
You can call it what you want
You may give any name or justification to your actions.
But I call it messin' with the kid
I perceive your actions as a betrayal or harming the kid in some way.
Now the kid plays hot
The kid is behaving recklessly or dangerously.
And hot don't pay
Such behavior will lead to negative consequences.
I say what I mean, I mean what I say
I am straightforward and honest in my communication and actions.
Yeah, yeah
An exclamation expressing agreement or approval.
Well tell me you love me
Express your affection for me verbally.
You tell me a lie
You are not being honest with me.
But I know I love ya baby, 'til the day I die
Despite knowing that you are not truthful, I still have strong feelings for you.
Elwood, Elwood!
A call to get someone's attention.
-Yeah?
A response to acknowledge the call.
You want to mess with the kid?
Do you want to harm or betray the kid?
-Nah Jake, I don't want to mess with the kid...
I do not want to harm or betray the kid.
Yeah I know, I know that.
I am aware of your intentions.
How about you guys back here? You want to mess with the kid? Any of you guys?
Are any of you considering harming or betraying the kid?
How about you people out there you want to mess with the kid?
Are any of the audience members considering harming or betraying the kid?
Gonna take the kid's car
Taking the kid's car without their permission.
Drive around town
Driving the car around the city.
Tell everybody trying to put him down
Spread the word that the kid is being unfairly criticized or attacked.
You can call it what you want
You may give any name or justification to your actions.
I call it messin' with the kid
I perceive your actions as a betrayal or harming the kid in some way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MEL LONDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jobabs
That backing band is tight! Incredible groove they’re laying down.
@ricklochead1032
I saw them at one of their last concerts in LA
@TruckingToPlease
Research Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn.
@baklei7100
ce son est vraiment bon ! Merci aux Blues Brothers !
@arnovriends5873
101% straight up blues to the max and beyond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@arnovriends5873
Totally love this song.😍🥰😘❤Slava Ukraini!!!!💙💛
@cherianjoseph7698
Best backing band for any blues outfits
@arnovriends5873
This song is simply the best, THE BEST!!!!!
@travissiemer776
The one the only!!!
@j.trauth9824
Yeah, yeah!