Brian Setzer (born April 10, 1959 in New York) is an American guitarist, si… Read Full Bio ↴Brian Setzer (born April 10, 1959 in New York) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter whose popular big band orchestra is most appreciated commercially for their swinging take on Christmas holiday classics.

Early in his career Setzer was a member of the NYC band Bloodless Pharaohs, and later fronted the popular rockabilly revival band, Stray Cats. The Stray Cats particularly caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, "Rock This Town" (#9) and "Stray Cat Strut" (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant 'N Rave, which included the two successful singles "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5), and "I Won't Stand In Your Way" (#35).

In the mid 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released at least 5 albums to date and one live DVD. This group had one hit, "Jump, Jive, and Wail" around the same time swing revival acts like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot" had been received favorably in mainstream America.

Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A new solo album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Setzer

Hey
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Written by b. setzer

Hey, louis prima
We gotta get the hell outta town
'cause I've been datin' a chick with some swively hips
And her boyfriend don't want me around

And wouldn't it be kinda funny

If we got outta town with all the money
Hey, louis prima
You sure know how to lay it on down

We were doin' all-nighters
Cruisin' to a gig in vegas
Don't know what was goin' on
But it surely did become contagious!

When we pulled up to the show
Ten thousand people or more all yelled out
'man your band is truly outrageous!'

Hey, louis prima
Man, you make 'em jump and shout
I got a five-dollar bet on a two-dollar bill
You're gonna show 'em what it's all about
And wouldn't it be kinda funny
If we got outta town with all the money
Hey, louis prima
You sure know how to lay it on down

Hey, louis prima
There's something that I just gotta know
Have you still got that old black magic
Or are you just a gigolo?

All we need is some sam butera
Then we can say 'buona sera'

Hey, louis prima
You sure know how to lay it on down

Overall Meaning

The Brian Setzer Orchestra's song "Hey Louis Prima" is a tribute to the iconic swing/jazz musician Louis Prima. The song tells the story of Setzer and Prima cruising to a gig in Vegas when they suddenly come into trouble with a jealous boyfriend of a girl Setzer is dating. Setzer suggests that they leave town with all the money, and the song paints Prima as a masterful musician who can make the audience jump and shout with his music.

The lyrics of the song are playful and energetic, capturing the spirit of the swing era. The use of slang and humorous lines such as "I got a five-dollar bet on a two-dollar bill" add to the overall fun atmosphere of the song. The reference to black magic and gigolo also ties in with Prima's popular songs such as "Just a Gigolo" and "I Wanna Be Like You" from the Jungle Book.

Overall, "Hey Louis Prima" is a fitting tribute to one of the most influential musicians of the swing era, and Setzer's admiration for Prima is evident in the song's catchy melody and upbeat lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, louis prima
Addressing Louis Prima, the singer expresses the need to leave town and seeks help from Louis.

We gotta get the hell outta town
The singer needs to leave town as he is in trouble with his girlfriend's boyfriend.

'cause I've been datin' a chick with some swively hips And her boyfriend don't want me around
The singer is in a relationship with a girl whose boyfriend is not happy with them hanging out.

And wouldn't it be kinda funny If we got outta town with all the money
The artist suggests they should take all the money and leave town to add humor to their situation.

Hey, louis prima You sure know how to lay it on down
The artist compliments Louis Prima for his musical abilities.

We were doin' all-nighters Cruisin' to a gig in vegas Don't know what was goin' on But it surely did become contagious!
The singer and Louis Prima were going to perform in Vegas, and they had a great time while they were there.

When we pulled up to the show Ten thousand people or more all yelled out 'man your band is truly outrageous!'
Upon reaching their show, the audience praised their band to be outstanding with over ten thousand people attending.

Man, you make 'em jump and shout I got a five-dollar bet on a two-dollar bill You're gonna show 'em what it's all about
The artist compliments Louis Prima's performance and has a bet placed that he will amaze the audience.

There's something that I just gotta know Have you still got that old black magic Or are you just a gigolo?
The artist inquires if Louis Prima has kept his old charms or became just a gigolo.

All we need is some sam butera Then we can say 'buona sera' Hey, louis prima You sure know how to lay it on down
The artist suggests that they need Sam Butera to perform, and then they can say 'buona sera' to say goodnight, complimenting Louis Prima again for his skills.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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