He was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Harris traveled as a singer and dancer with the Lucky Millinder Big Band in his youth. His first big solo hit was in 1944 with his record "Who Threw The Whiskey in the Well". He was a dynamic live performer who brought a lot of attention to the emerging styles of rhythm and blues.
Harris made a major contribution to the birth of rock and roll when he covered "Good Rocking Tonight", written and originally recorded by Roy Brown. Brown's version was a jump blues with a jazz rhythm section. Harris's cover version was much more frantic and played with a much stronger back beat. In effect, Harris, a black artist, had done what many white artists were to do later. He had turned blues into rock and roll and made one of the first rock and roll records. The song was later covered by Elvis Presley.
Harris recorded for many labels and in 1947, had a hit on Aladdin Records with "Wynonie's Blues", featuring Illinois Jacquet on tenor sax. His greatest success came at King Records where he was the leading male solo artist. "All She Wants to Do is Rock" went to Number One on the R&B charts. Many of his songs were novelty numbers, like "(Don't Roll Those) Bloodshot Eyes (at Me)", "Good Morning, Judge", and "I Love my Baby's Pudding", and his last hit, "Loving Machine".
Harris' severe alcoholism resulted in his career going into a tailspin in the mid-1950s. While other blues shouters of his generation such as Big Joe Turner were able to maintain their popularity despite changing styles, and Presley's cover versions brought his songs to a whole new audience, Harris fell into obscurity. He recorded little after 1956 and nothing after 1960. Harris' last public appearance was as a guest performer at a Motortown Revue concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California in 1966, which was universally considered to be a disaster (according to author Nick Tosches' article on Harris in Creem magazine, collected in Tosches' Unsung Heroes of Rock and Roll). Harris died of throat cancer on June 14, 1969.
All She Wants to Do Is Rock
Wynonie Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop all the clocks
I just got the news that my baby wants to rock
All she wants to do is rock (rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
Rock n' roll all night long
High-class denim and picture shows
All she wants to do is stay at home
And hoggle-buck(?) with daddy all night long
All she wants to do is rock (rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
Rock n' roll all night long
She doesn't like ride on airplane
Never had a trip on a street night train
When it comes to loving she knows what it's all about
And the way she hoggle-bucks(?) knocks me out
All she wants to do is rock (rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
Rock n' roll all night long
(all she wants to do is rock)
Rock by my(?) baby
(all she wants to do is rock)
Rock my baby
(all she wants to do is rock)
She wants to rock with the clock
but she don't know when to stop
She gets her kicks everyday
Yes rocking her fine ?? subway
She rocks in the basement
She rocks upstairs
I can't take in nomore
I'm gonna buy a rocking chair
All she wants to do is rock
All she wants to do is rock
All she wants to do is rock
rock 'n roll all night long
In the song “All She Wants to Do is Rock,” Wynonie Harris sings about a woman who loves to rock and roll all night. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer has just received some exciting news, and that news is that his baby loves to rock. He describes how even the simplest things bring joy to this woman, and that all she wants to do is dance the night away with him.
The lyrics go on to suggest that this woman is not a fan of fancy things or expensive outings; she is content staying at home and dancing with her lover all night long. When it comes to love and dancing, the woman knows what she wants and how to get it. She is not interested in traveling or going on fancy trips -- she just wants to rock out.
Overall, the song presents a picture of a carefree woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to go after it. Despite any obstacles that may come her way, she is determined to dance and have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold back the dawn
Stop the sun from rising, because I just received news that my baby wants to rock
Stop all the clocks
The world needs to stop in its tracks, because my baby wants to rock
I just got the news that my baby wants to rock
I received exciting news that my baby has a strong desire to rock and roll
All she wants to do is rock (rock)
My baby's sole focus is on rocking out to music
All she wants to do is rock (rock rock)
My baby's passion for rock and roll runs deep
Rock n' roll all night long
My baby wants to indulge in rock and roll music all through the night
My baby don't go for fancy clothes
My baby isn't interested in expensive or stylish clothing
High-class denim and picture shows
My baby isn't impressed by high-end denim clothing or going to the movies
All she wants to do is stay at home
All my baby wants is to remain at home and enjoy rocking out with daddy
And hoggle-buck(?) with daddy all night long
Her and I will hoggle-buck (not clearly defined, but likely to dance wildly) together all night long
She doesn't like ride on airplane
My baby isn't interested in flying or travelling by plane
Never had a trip on a street night train
My baby has never taken a ride on a night train
When it comes to loving she knows what it's all about
When it comes to expressing love, my baby understands what it means
And the way she hoggle-bucks(?) knocks me out
The dancing and wild behavior my baby exhibits is impressive and awe-inspiring
(all she wants to do is rock) Rock by my(?) baby
My baby continually expresses her passion for rock and roll music
(all she wants to do is rock) Rock my baby
I'll provide for her desire to rock and roll music
(all she wants to do is rock) She wants to rock with the clock but she don't know when to stop
She'll rock out to music all night, without ever getting tired
She gets her kicks everyday
My baby finds joy and pleasure in rock and roll music every day
Yes rocking her fine ?? subway
Even on the subway with poor sound quality, my baby finds a way to enjoy rock and roll music
She rocks in the basement
My baby enjoys rocking out in the basement of our home
She rocks upstairs
My baby enjoys rocking out on the upper levels of our home
I can't take in nomore
I can't handle any more of my baby's intense passion for rock and roll music
I'm gonna buy a rocking chair
I'll need a rocking chair to keep up with my baby's unrelenting energy and passion for rock and roll music
All she wants to do is rock
My baby's love of rock and roll music is all-consuming
rock 'n roll all night long
My baby and I will indulge in rock and roll music throughout the entire night
Contributed by Matthew E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Curtis J
This guy was incredible. Yet he gets no mention when people talk about the history and orgins of Rock N Roll...race music and R & B.
Zickcermacity
This is some DANGEROUS shit! I discovered Wynonie in an episode of Cold Case, and wondered why have I never heard a this guy! Purest rock n blues I’ve heard in decades!
Dave Hunter
He was a big influence on Elvis, especially the way he moved on stage. He was an incredible talent and influence. It's time he got his just due.
The Brazilian Atlantis
+Dave Hunter "Rock and roll was around a long time before me, it was really rhythm and blues. I just got on the bandwagon with it." -- Elvis Presley, 9/2/57 press conference. "[Rock and roll] existed long before I did. It was called rhythm and blues." -- Elvis Presley, 11/10/57 press conference.
Sonny Burnett
Someone in Hollywood should make a biopic of Wynonie !!!
Nuri Majeed
Yes! I like my baby "puddin"
Old School Blues Guitar
I'm a guitar player. I filled-in last summer with a group that played a Wynonie Harris song - "Daddy Wants To Rock". Has anyone heard of this song? It was very similar to this one here! Great stuff!!!!!
Stompin Stan
Legend, the guy needs more credit!!!
Dan Jacobs
For real for real as they say today The most underrated musical artist ever! Yeah he was dirty but we all dirty lol
Jacqueline Mitchell
The beat is slammin'.