Messin
Wells Lyrics


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What's this a-here goin all around town
The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Oh no
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid
You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid

You know the kid's no child and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to
I call it messin' with the kid

We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to




I call it messin' with the... yeah
One more now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wells's song Messin' With The Kid have a strong sense of defiance and pride. The song opens with the singer questioning what's going on all around town, and the people's intent to put the kid down. He goes on to state that the kid is no child, and that he says what he means and means what he says. The repetition of "Oh look at what you did" reinforces the idea that the singer is unimpressed with the people who are trying to take the kid down, and that their actions are not going to work.


The narration of the song is assertive and confident. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is not afraid to speak up and defend themselves or others. The line "We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town / Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down" shows that the singer is not afraid to take action to defend the kid against these people who are trying to put him down.


Overall, the song is about standing up against those who try to bring you down, and not letting others define who you are. The repetition of the chorus line "You can call it what you want to, I call it messin' with the kid" drives home this message of standing up against others' attempts to control you.


Line by Line Meaning

What's this a-here goin all around town
People are talking about something that is happening in town


The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Rumors are spreading that people want to harm or hurt someone, who the singer refers to as 'the kid'


Oh no
Indicates the singer's disappointment, worry or fear about what is happening to the kid


Oh look at what you did
The singer blames someone for causing the situation that is now affecting the kid


You can call it what you want to
The singer acknowledges that there could be different ways to name or describe the situation, but he has his own perspective on it


I call it messin' with the kid
The singer has his own way of naming the situation and he thinks it is unfair, unjust or wrong what's happening to 'the kid'


You know the kid's no child and I don't play
The singer emphasizes that 'the kid' is not actually a child, and he himself is serious about the situation


I says what I mean and I mean what I say
The singer is confident that his words convey his true thoughts and feelings about the situation and he doesn't beat around the bush


We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Someone or some people are making plans to do something that would humiliate or shame 'the kid'


Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Those who are planning to carry out something against 'the kid' will try to deny or justify their actions as harmless or benevolent


Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah
The singer repeats an enthusiastic interjection, reinforcing his feelings about what's happening to 'the kid'


Oh look at what you did
The singer blames someone for causing the situation that is now affecting the kid


You can call it what you want to
The singer acknowledges that there could be different ways to name or describe the situation, but he has his own perspective on it


I call it messin' with the kid
The singer has his own way of naming the situation and he thinks it is unfair, unjust or wrong what's happening to 'the kid'




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MEL LONDON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@teenaphelps2187

I grew up knowing Junior Wells, we lived in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the Southside of Chicago near Chess Records. 🎼🎵🎶🎤🎸🎷🎺🥁🎹🎻💃🕴️😊💞

@artplaut7208

YEAH TEENA

@edwinruhl6803

lucky you.

@davescupper5789

Odger yer did

@Im_using_your_moms_log_in

Not sure how to follow the emojis, but cheers!

@michaelheaton6901

You are blessed sir.

3 More Replies...

@bethmcavoy8062

What a treat to hear Junior Wells and Buddy Guy tearing it up!

@paulinemclellan2168

It sure is friend...it was soo good back then and just as good right now

@williammills3632

This is some of Buddys best guitar work ever. Junior and that band are tight and loose at the same time. Fantastic

@theherbpuffer

Buddy's my biggest inspiration as far as older blues players go, but I'm sorry Rory Gallaghers version is just something else

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