Rock and Roll Ruby
Warren Smith Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I took my Ruby jukin' on the out-skirts of town
She took her high heels off and rolled her stockings down
She put a quarter in the jukebox to get a little beat
Everybody started watchin', all the rhythm in her feet

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

Now, Ruby started rockin' 'bout one o'clock
And when she started rockin'
She just couldn't stop, she rocked on the tables
And rolled on the floor, and everybody yelled
"Ruby, rock some more"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

It was 'round about four, I thought she would stop
She looked at me and then she looked at the clock
She said, "Wait a minute, Daddy
Now don't get sour, all I want to do
Is rock a little bit more"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

One night, my Ruby left me all alone
I tried to contact her on the telephone
I finally found her about twelve o'clock
She said, "Leave me alone, Daddy
'Cause your Ruby wants to rock"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll




When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Rock and Roll Ruby introduces the main subject of the song, Ruby. The singer and Ruby are on the outskirts of town, and Ruby takes off her high heels and rolls down her stockings, indicating her intention to let loose and have a good time. She drops a quarter in the jukebox and begins dancing, quickly drawing attention to herself with her rhythmic moves. The song's chorus emphasizes the singer's admiration for Ruby's rock and roll skills.


The second verse further depicts Ruby's energetic and infectious dancing. She begins around one o'clock and can't stop moving, even jumping on tables and rolling on the floor. While some bystanders may have been initial skeptics, Ruby's enthusiasm quickly wins over the crowd. The third verse highlights Ruby's passion for rock and roll, even at the expense of sleeping or spending time with the singer. She tells him to leave her alone because all she wants to do is continue dancing.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I took my Ruby jukin' on the out-skirts of town
I brought Ruby to dance on the outskirts of town


She took her high heels off and rolled her stockings down
She removed her high heels and rolled down her stockings


She put a quarter in the jukebox to get a little beat
She put a quarter in the jukebox to listen to the music


Everybody started watchin', all the rhythm in her feet
Everyone stared at her because of her dancing skills


She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Ruby is a great dancer and loves to dance to rock and roll music


Now, Ruby started rockin' 'bout one o'clock
Ruby started dancing around 1 o'clock


And when she started rockin', she just couldn't stop
She continued dancing without stopping


She rocked on the tables and rolled on the floor
She danced on tables and the floor


And everybody yelled 'Ruby, rock some more'
Everyone encouraged her to dance even more


It was 'round about four, I thought she would stop
Around 4 o'clock, I thought she would stop dancing


She said, 'Wait a minute, Daddy; now don't get sour'
She asked me to be patient and not get angry


All I want to do is rock a little bit more'
She just wanted to keep dancing a little longer


One night, my Ruby left me all alone
One night, Ruby abandoned me


I tried to contact her on the telephone
I tried to call her


She said, 'Leave me alone, Daddy; 'cause your Ruby wants to rock'
She told me to leave her alone so she could dance


Rock, rock, rock and roll
This is a song about rock and roll music and dancing


When Ruby starts a-rockin', boy, it satisfies my soul
When Ruby dances to the rock and roll music, it brings me joy




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY CASH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@koichiharuta5807

Well, I took my Ruby jukin' on the out-skirts of town
She took her high heels off and rolled her stockings down
She put a quarter in the jukebox to get a little beat
Everybody started watchin', all the rhythm in her feet

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

Now, Ruby started rockin' 'bout one o'clock
And when she started rockin'
She just couldn't stop, she rocked on the tables
And rolled on the floor, and everybody yelled
"Ruby, rock some more"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

It was 'round about four, I thought she would stop
She looked at me and then she looked at the clock
She said, "Wait a minute, Daddy
Now don't get sour, all I want to do
Is rock a little bit more"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

One night, my Ruby left me all alone
I tried to contact her on the telephone
I finally found her about twelve o'clock
She said, "Leave me alone, Daddy
'Cause your Ruby wants to rock"

She's my rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
Rock and roll Ruby, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul

Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll
Rock, rock, rock and roll
When Ruby starts a-rockin'
Boy, it satisfies my soul



All comments from YouTube:

@johnrichard6639

79 hears old still rocking BEST MUSIC EVER WRITTEN!
LONG LIVE THE OL'DAYS & THE OLDIES! ROCK ON!!

@josephsardena3525

This should have been a massive hit back in the 50's !

@davedvorak8728

I cant believe Elvis didn't sing this song!

@jackalister1662

@Dave Dvorak Johnny Cash did a version. It was really good. It’s on the movie with Reese Witherspoon and ,oh hell , the actor that played Johnny Cash, Jouquin Phoenix. Sorry,spelling ain’t right on the name so winging it , hoping spellcheck catches it. NOT!!!

@koko-pu5vn

I agree it's a great track but it's a little too raw and (proto) "punk" to sell as "pop." There track is on fire though, I'll give you that. And we're lucky to have it.

@webbtrekker534

I remember this from the 1950's being played on the radio. I guess I was about 11 years old. Released in 1956 it reached the #1 Pop chart slot in Memphis, how well around the country I couldn't tell you. Things didn't work then like it does now.

@MichaelSmith-jw8qw

incredible song--could still be played today

@martiallambert7382

why not,

@nicocacci4070

Warren is one of my heroes.

@davemorgan4143

One of the best songs that came out of Sun records.

More Comments

More Versions