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.
Riot in Cell Block Number Nine
The Blues Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was doin' time for armed robbery
At four in the morning, I was sitting in my cell
I heard a whistle blow, and I heard somebody yell
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cell block number nine
Our warden said Come out with your hands up in the air
If you don't stop this riot you're all gonna get the chair
And Scarface Jones said It's too late to quit
Pass the dynamite, don't you give me any shit
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cell block number nine
On the 47th hour the nerve gas got our men
We're all back in our cells but every now and then
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cellblock number nine
Up in cellblock number nine
Up in cellblock number nine
The Blues Brothers's song "Riot in Cell Block Number Nine," is a song narrated from the perspective of a prisoner who is doing time for committing an armed robbery. The song takes place in December of 1983, at four o'clock in the morning when the prisoner hears a whistle blow and somebody yelling, "There's a riot going on up in cell block number nine." From this point, the song transitions into a series of events that entail a violent riot in the prison.
The warden comes in and commands the prisoners to come out with their hands up, suggesting that they'll receive the chair if they don't stop the riot. Scarface Jones, another prisoner, expresses to the warden that it's too late to quit, and orders the passing of dynamite. The song culminates with the prisoners being subjected to nerve gas while being locked up in their respective cells. The prisoners believe that the situation has calmed down; however, they live in fear because there is always the possibility that another riot could occur.
The song gives us a glimpse into a prison riot, with lyrics that emphasize chaos, violence, and the brutal nature of prisoners' interactions with one another. The Blues Brothers delivered this song with the raw energy and passion that allowed for an accurate understanding of the dark undertones that exist in prison culture.
Line by Line Meaning
It was December the sixth 1983
The song is narrated from the perspective of someone who was in prison on December 6th, 1983.
I was doin' time for armed robbery
The singer was in prison for committing an armed robbery.
At four in the morning, I was sitting in my cell
The singer tells us that it was 4 AM and he was in his cell.
I heard a whistle blow, and I heard somebody yell
The artist heard a whistle and someone yelling, indicating that something was happening outside of his cell.
There's a riot going on
The person yelling was informing the prisoners that a riot was taking place in the prison.
There's a riot going on
The repetition of the phrase reinforces the chaos and urgency of the situation.
There's a riot going on
The repeated phrase suggests that this is the main theme of the song.
Up in cell block number nine
The specific location of the riot is identified as being in cell block number nine.
Our warden said Come out with your hands up in the air
The warden demanded that the prisoners surrender by raising their hands.
If you don't stop this riot you're all gonna get the chair
The warden threatened to execute the prisoners by means of an electric chair if the riot was not stopped.
And Scarface Jones said It's too late to quit
Scarface Jones, a prisoner, said that it was too late to stop the riot.
Pass the dynamite, don't you give me any shit
Scarface Jones instructed someone to pass him dynamite, and warned them not to argue.
On the 47th hour the nerve gas got our men
After 47 hours of rioting, the prison staff used nerve gas to subdue the prisoners.
We're all back in our cells but every now and then
The prisoners were returned to their cells, but the threat of future riots remained.
Up in cellblock number nine
The song ends by reiterating that the riot took place in cell block number nine.
Up in cellblock number nine
This repetition reinforces the importance of the location and the severity of the riot.
Up in cellblock number nine
The final repetition acts as a refrain, and may be interpreted as a warning or a reminder.
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Forrest George
It was December the sixth 1983
I was doin' time for armed robbery
At four in the morning, I was sitting in my cell
I heard a whistle blow, and I heard somebody yell
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cell block number nine
Our warden said Come out with your hands up in the air
If you don't stop this riot you're all gonna get the chair
And Scarface Jones said It's too late to quit
Pass the dynamite, don't you give me any shit
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cell block number nine
On the 47th hour the nerve gas got our men
We're all back in our cells but every now and then
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
There's a riot going on
Up in cellblock number nine
Up in cellblock number nine
Up in cellblock number nine
Jaycee W.Rabbit
This song gives me the giggles! I love the Blues Brothers!!!ππ
Tim Maselli
I just love the Blues Brothers especially this song it's cool
Mike Palucci
Love this song!
THE CE
couldnt agree more!
Milt Marhoffer
Blues brothers music is great!!!!
Tim Maselli
The Blues Brothers are cool singers that was a time back in the day in the 80s yep yep
Mike Palucci
Still love this song!
Donna Stupka
Love all these guys!! πππ
Jj Legends
Always BLUES BROTHER!!!! πππππππππππππ
Val
elwood ' s voice aucgh it ' s so good ππ