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
Uranium Rock
The Cramps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Workin' as hard and not a-gettin' much pay
I got a big geiger counter, it's a pretty good rig
When the needle starts clickin' it's where I'm gonna dig
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
Well, I can see me now in my long Cadillac
Hinges in the middle, spare wheel on the back
Man, don't you know I'd be hard to stop
When I find that big uranium rock
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
Yes, that's me in my long Cadillac
Headin' down the road and I ain't comin' back
I ain't no red light gonna make me stop
When I find that big uranium rock
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
The Cramps's song Uranium Rock is a classic rock 'n' roll song that showcases the band's playful approach to music. The lyrics are focused on a protagonist who is tired of his job and is looking to strike it rich by finding a big uranium rock. He has a big geiger counter that he hopes will point him in the right direction. The song is about the pursuit of money and freedom, which are the core themes of classic rock 'n' roll.
The lyrics are filled with imagery of wealth and freedom. The singer dreams of driving a long Cadillac, a symbol of luxury and success, and not being held back by red lights. He wants to live life on his own terms and enjoy the spoils of his hard work. The lyrics also highlight the transience of pleasure and wealth, as the singer plans to throw it all away after having a rockin' good time.
Overall, Uranium Rock is a fun and lighthearted song that captures the spirit of rock 'n' roll. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the guitar and drum riffs are catchy and energetic.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I'm gettin' tired workin' as hard every day
I am exhausted from working tirelessly every day.
Workin' as hard and not a-gettin' much pay
Despite my hard work, I am not being compensated accordingly.
I got a big geiger counter, it's a pretty good rig
I have a valuable tool to help me identify uranium deposits.
When the needle starts clickin' it's where I'm gonna dig
I will only start digging when my geiger counter indicates the presence of uranium.
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
I am seeking wealth and success.
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
I am willing to take risks and enjoy life to the fullest.
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Once I strike it rich, I will accumulate and preserve my wealth.
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
I will indulge in all that life has to offer, regardless of the consequences.
Well, I can see me now in my long Cadillac
I envision myself riding in luxury and style.
Hinges in the middle, spare wheel on the back
My car is large and impressive, with unique features.
Man, don't you know I'd be hard to stop
I am determined and unstoppable in my pursuit of riches.
When I find that big uranium rock
I will not rest until I strike a significant deposit of uranium.
Yes, that's me in my long Cadillac
I am proud and confident in my success.
Headin' down the road and I ain't comin' back
I am moving forward in my pursuit of wealth and glory.
I ain't no red light gonna make me stop
I will not let anything stand in my way of achieving my goals.
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
I am still after wealth and success.
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
I am still willing to take risks and enjoy life to the fullest.
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
I will continue to accumulate and preserve my wealth.
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
I will continue to indulge in all that life has to offer, regardless of the consequences.
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Daniel Lopez
Lyrics
Well I'm gettin' tired workin' as hard every day
Workin' as hard and not a-gettin' much pay
I got a big geiger counter, it's a pretty good rig
When the needle starts clickin' it's where I'm gonna dig
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
Well, I can see me now in my long Cadillac
Hinges in the middle, spare wheel on the back
Man, don't you know I'd be hard to stop
When I find that big uranium rock
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
Yes, that's me in my long Cadillac
Headin' down the road and I ain't comin' back
I ain't no red light gonna make me stop
When I find that big uranium rock
Money-money honey, and the kind you fold
Money-money honey, rock 'n' roll
Rake it in, bale it up like hay
Have a rockin' good time and throw it all away
Steve Coronado
2020! Meeting lux and poison ivy at the blessing of the cars back in the 90's. I was star struck.
Turd Furgeson
@Pseudonayme 77 poison ivy is still alive, granted very old, but still alive
Pseudonayme 77
My two favourite dead people 😎👌
L. Salisbury
Playin' this gem back-to-back with the 1958 original from Warren Smith...
ebolalegion
Playing it raw like only an old punk band could. RIP Lux
ZeroFoxGiven
To everyone saying that the original is so much better: Notice how the album is titled "Bad music for bad people" .....your point was made before the album ever came out. The rest of us we agree, and we'll keep our bad music.
Frank.w. Buchanan
still play this with so much pleasure at aged 48 as i did aged 13 in scotland '83 Hail Hail
brad davidson
Och fuckin aye
Hormel Chili
any song thats gots chains whippin around is the most badassed shit
NebraskaGuy
Love this song. Guitar sounds like it has depth. That and the sound of the coins. Never get enough of this song.