Jack The Ripper
The Fuzztones Lyrics


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Jack the Ripper
[Spoken] ...and now some tragic local news. We have a report of another murder tonight. A young girl has been found dead in Hyde Park. The body was badly mutilated. Because of these murders, police request that all women stay inside their homes after dark this evening. If you must go out, please have someone accompany you. Keep your doors locked. We'll repeat that. Police request that all women stay inside their homes.

{wicked laugh}

(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Well, there's a man walks the streets of London late at night
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
He's got-a long black hair and his pants are tight
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Well, he really cuts it up when lights go down
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
'Cause that the time he like to shop around
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Well, he walks down the street
Every girl he meets
"Is your name Mary Kelly?"

(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)

Well, there's a man walks the streets of London late at night
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
He's got-a long black cloak and a one-track mind
(Ripper, Jack the Rippper)
Well, now, you pretty little chicks take my advice
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Don't walk the streets of Hollywood tonight
(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Because he walks down the street
Every girl he meets
"Is your name Mary Kelly?"
{scream}

(Jack the Ripper)
And if they do
They'll catch
The Ripper
{scream}

Guitar solo

When Jack the Ripper shows his face.
Yeah, you pretty little chicks take my advice
And don't walk the streets of Hollywood tonight.
Well, he walks down the street
Every girl he meets
"Is your name Mary Kelly?"

(Ripper, Jack the Ripper) Repeat 8x in back ground
Mary, Mary, where ya going to?
And then along comes Mary
Mary, Mary, quite contrary
How does your garden grow?





{scream}

Overall Meaning

The Fuzztones's song "Jack the Ripper" is a thrilling rock and roll tribute to the infamous unidentified serial killer who terrorized London in the late 1800s. The song begins with a warning to the women of London to stay inside at night due to another murder in Hyde Park, and then the lyrics introduce the character of Jack the Ripper, who is described as a man with long black hair, tight pants, and a one-track mind. The song suggests that Jack the Ripper hunts his victims late at night and prefers women named Mary Kelly. The chorus repeats the phrase "Ripper, Jack the Ripper" ominously.
The song's second verse again introduces Jack the Ripper as a man with a long black cloak, and then advises women to stay off the streets of Hollywood (presumably the location has changed from London to Hollywood in the song's narrative). A guitar solo follows, and then the chorus repeats, with an additional verse about Mary, Mary, and her growing garden. The song concludes with a blood-curdling scream.


The lyrics of "Jack the Ripper" create a vivid picture of a sinister and terrifying figure who preys on women in the darkness of the night. The repeated question about Mary Kelly makes the listener feel as though he or she is being personally hunted by the Ripper. The song's inclusion of specific details about the Ripper's appearance and habits, as well as the reference to the murders in Hyde Park, lends the song an eerie air of historical accuracy. The song's driving beat and ominous minor key chords further reinforce the sense of dread and danger that the lyrics evoke.


Line by Line Meaning

Jack the Ripper
Introduction to the theme of the song


{wicked laugh}
Expresses a sense of evil and foreboding


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Well, there's a man walks the streets of London late at night
Describing the Ripper as a menacing presence


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


He's got-a long black hair and his pants are tight
Physical description of the Ripper


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Well, he really cuts it up when lights go down
Indicates that the Ripper is an active killer


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


'Cause that the time he like to shop around
Suggests that the Ripper is hunting for victims


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Well, he walks down the street
Continuing the description of the Ripper's actions


Every girl he meets
Indicates that women are at risk


"Is your name Mary Kelly?"
Quoting the Ripper's infamous question to his victims


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


He's got-a long black cloak and a one-track mind
Further physical description of the Ripper


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Well, now, you pretty little chicks take my advice
Warning women of the danger posed by the Ripper


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Don't walk the streets of Hollywood tonight
Advising women to stay indoors to avoid becoming victims


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


Because he walks down the street
Continuing to describe the Ripper's actions


Every girl he meets
Reiterating the danger posed to women


"Is your name Mary Kelly?"
Repeating the Ripper's infamous question to his victims


{scream}
Expressing a sense of horror or terror


(Jack the Ripper)
Repetition of the song's title as a sinister motif


And if they do
Indicates that women who venture out are taking a risk


They'll catch
Suggests that the police will eventually apprehend the Ripper


The Ripper
Refers to the killer, reinforcing his menacing aura


{scream}
Expressing a sense of horror or terror


Guitar solo
Instrumental break in the song


When Jack the Ripper shows his face.
Anticipating the Ripper's next move


Yeah, you pretty little chicks take my advice
Reiterating the warning to women


And don't walk the streets of Hollywood tonight.
Repeating the advice to women to stay indoors


Well, he walks down the street
Continuing to describe the Ripper's actions


Every girl he meets
Reiterating the danger posed to women


"Is your name Mary Kelly?"
Repeating the Ripper's infamous question to his victims


(Ripper, Jack the Ripper) Repeat 8x in back ground
Repeating the song's sinister motif in the background


Mary, Mary, where ya going to?
Referencing the nursery rhyme 'Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary'


And then along comes Mary
Further reference to the nursery rhyme


Mary, Mary, quite contrary
Continuing the reference to the nursery rhyme


How does your garden grow?
Concluding the reference to the nursery rhyme


{scream}
Expressing a sense of horror or terror




Contributed by Alexis S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

supermotard1745

I love fuzz guitar. 🎸

Gina Karuna

wooow yeah !😎

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