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
sinners
The Cramps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna go down there, down there
Yeah, you better be right
Sinner, you better be right
If you ain't right, you're goin' down there
You'll end up in the devil's pot of fire
Yeah, you'll end up in the devil's pot of fire
You'll see the devil, he'll be laughin'
You'll see sinners, they'll be cryin'
Yeah, you better be right
Sinner, you better be right, you better be right
If you ain't right, you're goin' down there
You'll end up in the devil's pot of fire
Yeah, you'll end up in the devil's pot of fire
Yeah, you better be right
You'll see the devil, he'll be laughin'
He'll see sinners, there'll be cryin'
Yeah, you better be right
Sinner, you better be right, you better be right
The lyrics to "Sinners" by The Cramps are a warning to those who have sinned or who may be tempted to do so. The song's message is clear: if you are not right with God, you will end up in hell. The song uses religious imagery from the Bible, specifically the idea of the devil and the concept of sinners being punished for their transgressions. The lyrics tell sinners that they will go down to hell if they do not repent and turn their lives around. The repetition of the phrase "you better be right" emphasizes the urgency of the message and the consequences of not heeding the warning.
The song also makes use of musical techniques to reinforce its message. The music is heavy and pounding, with a driving beat that suggests the urgency and intensity of the lyrics. The vocals are sometimes shouted and sometimes sung, but always deliver the message forcefully. The combination of the music and the lyrics creates a powerful and memorable experience for the listener.
Overall, "Sinners" is a warning to those who have sinned or who may be tempted to do so. It tells them that there is a heavy price to pay for their actions and that they need to repent and turn their lives around before it is too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I tell you sinners, sinners
Listen up, all you sinners
You're gonna go down there, down there
You're headed straight for hell
Yeah, you better be right
Better get yourself right with the Lord
Sinner, you better be right
You, sinner, need to be sure you've been saved
If you ain't right, you're goin' down there
If you're not saved, you're going to hell
You'll end up in the devil's pot of fire
Hell is a place of eternal torment
You'll see the devil, he'll be laughin'
The devil will be pleased to see sinners suffer
You'll see sinners, they'll be cryin'
Those in hell will be in agony and despair
Sinner, you better be right, you better be right
It is crucial for your soul's salvation to make sure you are right with God
Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.