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.
Wail
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got the key to my mind
I'm doin' crazy things
Every year it's been mine to win
Got to blast, quiver
Gonna bust a gut
Try to put it right there and get up
Sexy, funky
Get down
Got to get all the way
You got to help me
Wail, wail, wail
I wish I was funky alright
Fank in the back of it
Tried to get a kiss
Tried to get to hug you
You got to hug, kiss, hug
Baby, got the bug
I'm always a few minutes wrong
You got to put me right there
And knock it down
Come on, lover
I got to go all the way up town
Check it out
Rock me
I'm alone
You got to help me
Wail, wail, wail
Funky time
I'm doin' the monkey now
I'm always a few minutes wrong
You got to put me right there
Come on, baby
Sock it to me
You got to get it
Wail, wail baby, wail I'm always a few minutes wrong (4 times)
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's song Wail is a classic example of the band's ability to create a high-energy rock and roll jam that is both funky and soulful. The lyrics are full of sexual innuendo and suggest a playful, carefree attitude towards life. The repetition of "do it again" and "wail, wail, wail" throughout the song only adds to the feeling of excitement and abandon.
The first few lines of the song suggest that the singer is willing to go to extreme lengths to experience the rush of adrenaline that comes with living life to the fullest. They claim to have "the key to [their] mind" and to be "doin' crazy things" all the time. This all builds up to the moment when the singer declares "gonna bust a gut," signaling their intention to go all out and leave it all on the table.
The song's chorus, which repeats the word "wail" several times, is open to interpretation. It could be read as an exclamation of joy and excitement, or it could be interpreted as a cry of anguish or frustration. Either way, it's clear that the song is meant to be a cathartic release of pent-up energy and emotion.
Overall, Wail is a fun and playful song that captures the spirit of rock and roll. It's a perfect example of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's ability to create music that is simultaneously raw and polished.
Line by Line Meaning
Do it again!
The singer is urging someone to repeat what has been done before.
I got the key to my mind
The singer has control over their thoughts and actions.
I'm doin' crazy things
The singer is engaging in wild and unpredictable behavior.
Every year it's been mine to win
The artist has had success consistently over time.
Got to blast, quiver
The artist needs to express themselves with energy and excitement.
Gonna bust a gut
The singer will work extremely hard and put forth great effort.
I'm always ready
The singer is constantly prepared for anything that comes their way.
Try to put it right there and get up
The artist seeks to hit the mark and rise to a higher level of achievement.
Sexy, funky
The artist is feeling attractive and groovy.
Get down
The artist wants to dance or get into a groove.
Got to get all the way
The singer cannot settle for halfway, they must go all the way.
You got to help me
The artist needs assistance from someone else.
Wail, wail, wail
The singer is calling for a passionate expression of emotion through music or speech.
I wish I was funky alright
The singer desires to have more swagger and groove.
Fank in the back of it
The singer wants to feel the rhythm and beat in their body.
Tried to get a kiss
The artist attempted to show affection.
Tried to get to hug you
The artist attempted to show warmth and affection.
You got to hug, kiss, hug
The singer is requesting multiple expressions of affection.
Baby, got the bug
The singer has a desire or strong interest in something.
I'm always a few minutes wrong
The artist is frequently off target or wrong in some way.
You got to put me right there
The artist needs someone else to guide or direct them to the correct path or decision.
And knock it down
The artist must overcome a challenge or obstacle.
Come on, lover
The singer is addressing a romantic partner.
I got to go all the way up town
The artist needs to travel a long distance or go to great lengths for something.
Check it out
The singer wants someone to look or listen closely to something.
Rock me
The singer wants someone to move them or their emotions in some way.
I'm alone
The singer is by themselves or feels isolated from others.
You got to help me
The artist needs someone else to provide assistance or support.
Wail, wail, wail
The artist is calling for a passionate expression of emotion through music or speech.
Funky time
The singer is feeling the groove or rhythm of the music.
I'm doin' the monkey now
The singer is dancing a particular style of dance.
Sock it to me
The artist wants to be impressed or amazed by someone or something.
You got to get it
The artist needs someone else to obtain or accomplish something.
Wail, wail baby, wail
The artist is calling for a passionate expression of emotion through music or speech.
I'm always a few minutes wrong (4 times)
The singer repeats that they are frequently off target or wrong in some way.
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@krystiangorski6201
First concert I ever went to. My older brother and his buddy took me on a school night. Was like 13yrs old. The Roxy in NYC. They were freaking great live. Remember this song in particular. Thank you bro for introducing me to so much amazing music and art. I miss you terribly..hope to see you on the other side...
@kimmolaine8069
What a nice and rare first live experience!
@TheAnalPunisher
Best freak rock ever!!!
@SpotlessLeopard
I wish I was fucking alright.
One of the most perfect lines ever delivered.
Avoid being alright.
Long time memories hearing this.
@kimmolaine8069
Anyone else love Jon's pseudo-Elvis? :)
@aodhablackheart
RVD! RVD!
@l.wadereimer615
I wish I was fuckin all right. Dope
@lawrencewilson8947
I got the key to my mind
I'm doin' crazy things
Every year it's been mine to win
Got to blast, quiver
Gonna bust a gut
I'm always ready
Try to put it right there and get up
Sexy, funky
Get down
Got to get all the way
You got to help me
Wail
Wail
Wail
I wish I was funky alright
Fank in the back of it
Tried to get a kiss
Tried to get to hug you
You got to hug, kiss, hug
Baby, got the bug
I'm always a few minutes wrong
You got to put me right there
And knock it down
Come on, lover
I got to go all the way up town
Check it out
Rock me
I'm alone
You, you, you got to help me
Wail
Wail
Wail
Funky time
I'm doin' the monkey now
I'm always a few minutes wrong
You got to put me right there
Come on, baby
Sock it to me
Oh, yeah
You got to get it
Wail
Wail baby
Wail
I'm always a few minutes wrong I'm always a few minutes wrong
I'm always a few minutes wrong
I'm always a few minutes wrong