Barbara Keith began her career at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village, following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby and many others who got their start in that hallowed dive. She was soon recording for MGM/Verve, A&M, and Warner Brothers. Her songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Tanya Tucker, Barbra Streisand, The Dillards, Melanie, Hank Snow, Lowell George and others. “The Bramble and the Rose” has become a folk standard – often receiving the ultimate compliment of being mistaken for a traditional song.
Her husband Doug Tibbles had a whole other life before drumming – A native of Los Angeles, he was a TV writer for such shows as “The Munsters”, “Bewitched”, “Andy Griffith”, “My Three Sons”, “Family Affair”, and many more.
Unhappy with show business in general, Barbara gave back her major label advance, Doug quit his one-day-old job as story editor for “Happy Days”, and they went underground. Doug took up drums and son John took up bass at age eleven. Reclusive by choice, the band moved from L.A. to Western Massachusetts to write and woodshed. They began playing the occasional show while recording in their cellar.
When best selling author Elmore Leonard (“Get Shorty”, “Jackie Brown”, “Out of Sight”) walked in the Troubadour in L.A. one night looking for inspiration for his sequel to “Get Shorty”, he discovered The Stone Coyotes.
They became the model for Chili Palmer’s next adventure, “Be Cool”. Leonard said, “ It was music I could understand…straight ahead rock and roll with a twang. And there are good stories going on in the songs.” He included their lyrics in the book and dedicated it to them. He and the band made a string of appearances together around the country with a Words and Music Tour – from New York’s Mercury Lounge to L.A.’s Viper Room.
More recently with five songs on "Dog the Bounty Hunter", they gained national attention, but it is the grass roots, word-of-mouth response to their music that continues their momentum.
“The Stone Coyotes are a rare wild beast in a domesticated music industry.”
- Rolling Stone Online
“The Stone Coyotes’ hefty sound melds AC/DC’s charging power chords with a country troubadour’s literate observations.”
- New York Magazine
“The Stone Coyotes crank out unpretentious rock that has grime on its fingers and transcendence in its heart.”
- The Nashville Scene
“Poised to be the coolest husband-wife-and-son rock and roll trio ever…Those wary of a hype short on substance should rest assured – this family has the chops to back it up.”
- The L. A. Weekly
“Powerful and gritty, with just a hint of sweetness and sorrow.”
- Real Detroit Weekly
“Likely one of the festival’s best discoveries… The Stone Coyotes rocked and shocked the Horseshoe audience Saturday night with their AC/DC meets Patsy Cline sound.”
- Toronto Now
I Want To Rock
The Stone Coyotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Is the lady of the house at home?
We've got an offer you can't resist"
I said, "Oh yeah? Well, just watch this"
I'm slippin' out the back door
I don't have time to talk
(Can't take the ticking of the clock)
"What do you want to do?"
I want to rock
"What have you been doing all of these years?"
We've been cryin' Ninety-six Tears
Look out now - we're a triple threat
A little bit crazy, not dead yet
You want to know how to fire your guns?
Go ask Malcolm and Angus Young
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley where you been?
Down the road and back again
The Stone Coyotes's song "I Want to Rock" is an upbeat and lively track that follows the singer's decision to prioritize his love for rock music above everything else. The song starts with the ring of a telephone, which interrupts the singer's thoughts, and a voice on the other end offers him something irresistible. But he brushes it off and decides to slip out the backdoor instead, putting on his dancing shoes and looking for a place to rock. The lyrics suggest that the singer is no longer interested in mundane activities such as answering the phone, and instead, he has a strong desire to rock out.
The second verse of the song suggests that rock music has been an essential part of the singer's life. The Stone Coyotes reference the '60s garage rock hit "96 Tears" before stating that they are a "triple threat," inferring that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of rock music. The lyrics then mention a few iconic guitarists, Malcolm, and Angus Young of AC/DC, and Bo Diddley, as they look for inspiration to fire their guns and rock harder. The song concludes with a line from Bo Diddley's song "Bo Diddley," letting us know that the singer is ready to continue his rock journey and is down for anything that comes his way.
Line by Line Meaning
Ring ringin' of the telephone
The phone is ringing and someone is trying to contact me.
"Is the lady of the house at home? We've got an offer you can't resist"
The person calling is trying to sell me something and is asking for the lady of the house to speak to.
I said, "Oh yeah? Well, just watch this"
I am confident and ready to reject the offer proposed by the person calling.
I'm slippin' out the back door; I don't have time to talk (Can't take the ticking of the clock)
I'm in a hurry and cannot be bothered to waste my time talking. The ticking of the clock creates added pressure.
I'm puttin' on my dancing shoes; "What do you want to do?" I want to rock
I am getting ready to do something that I really love, which is to rock and play music.
"What have you been doing all of these years?" We've been cryin' Ninety-six Tears
Someone has asked what we've been up to, and we respond with the fact that we have been feeling sad and crying.
Look out now - we're a triple threat
We are good at three different things and are ready to show off our talents.
A little bit crazy, not dead yet
We may be a little unconventional or wild, but we are still alive and kicking.
You want to know how to fire your guns? Go ask Malcolm and Angus Young
If you want to learn how to play guitar like a rockstar or become a pro, seek advice from Malcolm and Angus Young.
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley where you been? Down the road and back again
Asking where Bo Diddley has been and implying that he's been playing rock music and touring.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KEITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind