The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is an American garage rock band, which was … Read Full Bio ↴The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is an American garage rock band, which was formed in New York in 1990. Singer Jon Spencer was previously the leader of the noise punk band Pussy Galore before hooking up with Judah Bauer (guitar) and Russell Simins (drums) to form the Blues Explosion, a band that was part of the 1990s alternative rock boom. This bass-less combo had their breakthrough in 1993 with the album "Extra Width" on Crypt Records. In 1994 "Orange", a more accessible album followed along with a growing base of fans.

1996 they released an album which is regarded as their masterpiece, "Now I Got Worry". An unwieldy mess of an album, Now I Got Worry, starts with a series of piercing screams and never stops confounding until the end. Featuring the legendary Rufus Thomas howling and barking on Chicken Dog, and The Dub Narcotic Sound System on Fuck Shit Up, Now I Got Worry was a glorious celebration of what an open mind(s) could do with white trash rock and roll.

Touring endlessly, JSBX gained a small but enthusiastic global audience. Subsequent albums were "Acme" (1998), "Xtra Acme USA" (1999), "Plastic Fang" (2002), "Damage" (2004) and the earlier "Crypt Style" (1992) and "Jon Spencer Blues Explosion" (1992).

Jon Spencer as well as the other members of the band had several side-projects. They recorded an album together with The Dub Narcotic Sound System. Jon Spencer played together with R.L. Burnside ("A Ass Pocket Of Whiskey"), David Holmes ("Bow Down to the Exit Sign"), The Honeymoon Killers ("Hung Far Low") and other artists. He is also a member of Boss Hog, along with his wife Cristina Martinez. Together with Matt Verta-Ray of Speedball Baby Spencer formed a rockabilly revival band called Heavy Trash which has released three albums. The band has also been associated in various ways with The Beastie Boys, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others.

On the Blues Explosion's album "Damage" (2004) they left out the "Jon Spencer" prefix of the band's name to show that they are a genuine band.

Sticky
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Honey
Baby
Lover
I been thinkin' 'bout you
I can't forget that

(ad lib)

All ady I don't care what they say
I don't care what they say
I don't care what they say

It's early in the mornin'
In the midnight hour in Atlanta
How can I love you?
I love you
I love you
I love you
I got to

I love you
I got to all night

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's song "Sticky" are open to interpretation, but there are some clear themes that can be discerned. The singer seems to be a person who is deeply infatuated with someone and cannot get them out of their mind. The repeated use of terms of endearment like "Honey," "Baby," and "Lover" suggests that the singer is in a romantic relationship with the object of their affection.

The line "I don't care what they say" could be interpreted as defiance in the face of naysayers who don't approve of the relationship, or it could simply be meant to emphasize how little the singer cares about anything outside of their own feelings for their loved one. The repetition of the phrase "I love you" drives home the intensity of the singer's passion, and the use of the line "How can I love you?" could suggest that the singer is feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of their own emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

Honey
Term of endearment directed towards someone the singer cares about deeply

Baby
Another term of endearment, expressing affection towards their partner

Lover
A third term of endearment depicting a romantic, intimate relationship between the singer and their lover

I been thinkin' 'bout you
The artist has been preoccupied with thoughts of their lover, showing their desire and longing for them

I can't forget that
The memory of the lover still lingers, suggesting that there was a powerful experience between the two

(ad lib)
The singer repeats the phrase, emphasizing their strong feelings for their lover

All ady I don't care what they say
Despite what other people may say or think, the singer's feelings for their lover are unwavering and strong

It's early in the mornin'
The artist is awake and thinking about their lover even at an early time of day, showing the intensity of their thoughts

In the midnight hour in Atlanta
The artist is thinking about their lover even late at night, further emphasizing their preoccupation with their partner

How can I love you?
The artist expresses their amazement and awe at their own strong feelings for their partner

I love you
The singer directly expresses their love for their partner

(repeated multiple times)
The artist repeats their declaration of love, showing the depth and passion of their feelings

I got to
The singer expresses their compulsion to continue loving their partner, despite any obstacles that may arise

all night
The singer emphasizes that their love and passion for their partner will last all throughout the night, underscoring the intensity and extent of their feelings

Contributed by Isabelle V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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