Their line-up has rotated much over the past couple of decades, with husband and wife Lux Interior and Poison Ivy--the lead singer and lead guitarist, respectively--as the only permanent members.
Lux picked up Ivy when he was driving on the highway. Ivy had raised her hand for an auto stop, Lux stopped his car and ...fate brought them together.
They were part of the early CBGB's punk rock movement that had emerged in New York, although they had formed several years earlier in California. The band is credited as a prominent factor in terms of influence on the gothabilly genre.
Their sound was heavily influenced by early rockabilly and proto-rock'n'roll like Link Wray and Hasil Adkins, 1960s surf music acts such as The Ventures, The Surfaris and Dick Dale, 1960s garage rock artists like The Standells, The Gants, The Trashmen, The Green Fuz and The Sonics, as well as the post-glam/early punk scene from which they emerged. They also were influenced to a degree by The Ramones as well as Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who is often credited for having pioneered their style of theatrical horror-blues.
On February 4, 2009, Lux Interior died of a pre-existing heart condition at the age of 62.
Discography:
Albums & EPs:
Gravest Hits
Songs The Lord Taught Us
Psychedelic Jungle
A Date with Elvis
Stay Sick!
Look Mom No Head!
Blues Fix
Flamejob
Big Beat from Badsville
Fiends of Dope Island
Live albums:
Smell of Female
Rockin n Reelin in Auckland New Zealand
Singles:
"Surfin' Bird" / "The Way I Walk" "Human Fly" / "Domino" "Fever" / "Garbageman" "Garbageman" / "TV Set" "Garbageman" / "Drug Train" "Drug Train" "Goo Goo Muck" "The Crusher" "Faster Pussycat" "I Ain't Nuthin' But a Gorehound" "Can Your Pussy Do the Dog?" "What's Inside a Girl?" "Kizmiaz" "Get Off the Road" "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns" "All Women Are Bad" "Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon" "Eyeball in My Martini" "Let's Get Fucked Up" / "How Come You Do Me?" "Ultra Twist!" "Naked Girl Falling Down the Stairs" "Like a Bad Girl Should" "Big Black Witchcraft Rock"
Compilations
...Off the Bone Bad Music for Bad People How to Make a Monster The Secret Life of the Cramps
The Way I Walk
The Cramps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way I talk is just the way i talk
The way I smile is just the way I smile
Touch me baby and I'll go hog wild!
The way I love is just the way I love
Come on and be the one I'm thinking of
Touch me baby, it feels so good
The way I walk is just the way I walk
The way I talk is just the way i talk
The way I smile is just the way I smile
Touch me baby and I'll go hog wild!
The way I love is just the way I love
Come on and be the one I'm thinking of
Touch me baby, ooh, it feels so good
Sometimes I think I wanna but I don't know if I should
The way you love me's got to cramp my style
Oh, little baby, I would say bye-bye
Love me, baby, love me right
Love me morning, noon and night
The Cramps’s song, The Way I Walk, is an upbeat and catchy tune about self-expression and the pleasure of feeling good. The opening lines state, “The way I walk is just the way I walk, the way I talk is just the way I talk,” suggesting that the singer is not trying to be anyone other than themselves. The following lyrics, “the way I smile is just the way I smile, touch me baby and I'll go hog wild,” reinforce the idea that the singer enjoys life freely and is not afraid to express themselves physically.
As the song continues, the lyrics suggest that the singer is interested in finding someone who can match their energy and passion. “The way I love is just the way I love, come on and be the one I'm thinking of, touch me baby, it feels so good,” implies that the singer is looking for a partner who can keep up with their enthusiasm. However, the line, “sometimes I think I wanna but I don't know if I should,” suggests there may be some hesitation on the singer's part.
The chorus repeats the opening lines, which further reinforces the main theme of the song. The final verses suggest that the singer has found someone they are interested in, but they are concerned that this person may cramp their style. “The way you love me's got to cramp my style, oh little baby, I would say bye-bye,” implies that the singer wants to maintain their freedom and personality, which may be compromised by a relationship. Nonetheless, the singer is willing to give it a chance, as they sing, “love me baby, love me right, love me morning, noon, and night.”
Line by Line Meaning
The way I walk is just the way I walk
I am unique and comfortable in my own skin. My identity is not determined by societal norms or expectations.
The way I talk is just the way I talk
I speak in my own authentic voice, without trying to conform to others’ expectations.
The way I smile is just the way I smile
I express my happiness and pleasure in my own individual style, without trying to fit into some prescribed definition of beauty or sociability.
Touch me baby and I'll go hog wild!
I love physical touch and it has a powerful effect on me.
The way I love is just the way I love
I love in my own way, without trying to conform to others’ expectations or ideas of what love is.
Come on and be the one I'm thinking of
I am open to love and seeking a particular kind of connection with someone.
Touch me baby, it feels so good
Physical touch is an important part of expressing love and affection to me.
Sometimes I think I wanna but I don't know if I should
I have moments of hesitation and doubt when it comes to romance, but I am still open to the idea of love.
The way you love me's got to cramp my style
Your love is interfering with my individuality and sense of freedom.
Oh, little baby, I would say bye-bye
If your love is not fitting into my life as I want it to, I may need to end the relationship.
Love me, baby, love me right
I am seeking a specific kind of love from you, one that fits with my own individuality and values.
Love me morning, noon and night
I want love that is constant and pervasive in my life. I desire it at all times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JACK SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind