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
Sittin' On It
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop acting like a baby child
Old maid, old maid
Stop acting like a baby child
You waited 'til you got 63
Before you started runnin' wild
Oh, I'm looking for a gal
I'm looking for a gal
She's got me be young and neat
What good is a stove
If it don't give out no heat
Well, you had your chance
For love and romance
But you let it pass you by
'Cause when you were 10
You used to run from men
Kept on sittin' on it all the time
When you was 16 you was a natural queen
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
When you were 22, you didn't know what to do
When you was 25, you thought about that jive
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
When you was 31, you was hot as the sun
But you kept on sittin' on it all the time
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
When you were 52, you still knew what to do
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
When you were 55, you was glad to be alive
When you were 58, it still wasn't too late
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
Now you're 63, you're too old for me
So keep on sittin' on it all the time
The Brian Setzer Orchestra's song Sittin' On It is a song that tells the story of an old maid who let love pass her by because she was too scared to take a chance. The first verse of the song talks to this old maid, telling her to stop acting like a baby child and start taking risks. The second verse talks about the singer, who is looking for a girl who is young and neat. He sings that there is no use in having a stove if it doesn't give out any heat, which is a metaphor for not settling for something that isn't satisfying.
The rest of the song talks about how the old maid let love pass her by at different stages of her life. When she was 16, she was a natural queen, but she let love pass her by as she kept sitting on it, meaning she didn't take any action or seize the opportunities that were presented to her. As the years went by, she continued to let love pass her by, even though she still had the chance. The song ends with the singer telling the old maid that she's now too old for him, so she should keep on sitting on it.
Overall, the song tells a cautionary tale about the importance of taking chances in life, especially in matters of the heart. It encourages the listener not to let opportunities pass them by.
Line by Line Meaning
Old maid, old maid
Addressing someone who missed opportunities for love
Stop acting like a baby child
Stop whining and complaining
You waited 'til you got 63
Didn't pursue love or romance until later in life
Before you started runnin' wild
Started looking for romantic relationships late in life
Oh, I'm looking for a gal
Expressing a desire to find a young and attractive woman
She's got me be young and neat
Looking for someone who is youthful and attractive
What good is a stove
What is the point of something that does not work as intended
If it don't give out no heat
If it's not physically or emotionally satisfying
Well, you had your chance
Acknowledging missed opportunities for love
For love and romance
Referring to pursuing romantic relationships
But you let it pass you by
Don't complain about missed opportunities when you didn't take action
'Cause when you were 10
Imagining missed opportunities for love at a young age
You used to run from men
Feeling shy or intimidated by boys/men
Kept on sittin' on it all the time
Not taking action or pursuing romantic relationships
When you was 16 you was a natural queen
Imagining attractiveness and confidence at a young age
When you were 22, you didn't know what to do
Feeling inexperienced and unsure when it comes to love and relationships
When you was 25, you thought about that jive
Thinking about romance and love at a young age
She kept on sittin' on it all the time
Continuing to miss opportunities for romance and love
When you was 31, you was hot as the sun
Feeling confident and attractive at a slightly older age
But you kept on sittin' on it all the time
Not taking action or pursuing romantic relationships
When you were 52, you still knew what to do
Having experience with love and relationships
When you were 55, you was glad to be alive
Being grateful for life and time left to enjoy romantic encounters
When you were 58, it still wasn't too late
Feeling like there is still time to pursue love and romance
Now you're 63, you're too old for me
Acknowledging that the person is not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship because of their age
So keep on sittin' on it all the time
Implying that the person will continue to miss opportunities for love
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: HENRY GLOVER, LOIS MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
oftenlucid
This might just be me reading into things, but it's genius that he dropped in a short sample of "Take the A Train" in here (1:32) . . . double entendre?
I love his orchestration! He is always on my rotating play list. . .
layde1
Any Wynonie Harris song he covers is good because they are all such quality. I wish he would do Lovin' Machine but it might just be a little bit too rude. Still, this is saucy enough.
layde1
Just realised that Brian's recording of Straight Up is Wynonie Harris' risqué Loving Machine but with totally different words. The music is so great though, such a good choice, Brian.
Chip Gulbro
Good but too slick compared to original Still liked it though
Christopher Ray
Anyone who wonders what this song is about...needs to grow up!
Thomas Haney
The. "Damn" s#!+!...