Introduction
“Jailhouse Rock” is a song by Elvis Presley that was released in 1957 as a part of the soundtrack for the movie under the same title. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and it became one of the most famous songs in Presley’s career. The song has a catchy melody and upbeat rhythm which makes it a popular hit amongst fans of rock and roll music.
Verse 1
The first verse of the song goes like this:
The warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison band was there and they began to wail
The band was jumpin’ and the joint began to swing
You should’ve heard those knocked out jailbirds sing
The lyrics talk about a party that was thrown in a county jail where the prison band was playing music and the whole place was swinging.
Chorus
The chorus of the song goes like this:
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
The chorus encourages everyone to rock and dance to the Jailhouse Rock.
Verse 2
The second verse of the song goes like this:
Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Little Joe was blowin’ on the slide trombone
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang
The whole rhythm section was the Purple Gang
The lyrics talk about the different instruments being played and the rhythm section of the band being referred to as the Purple Gang.
Chorus
Repeat chorus
Verse 3
The third verse of the song goes like this:
No. 47 said to No. 3:
“You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see
I sure would be delighted with your company
Come on and do the Jailhouse Rock with me”
The lyrics talk about No. 47 complimenting No. 3 and asking her to dance with him.
Chorus
Repeat chorus
Verse 4
The fourth verse of the song goes like this:
The sad sack was a sittin’ on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin’ all alone
The warden said, “Hey, buddy, don’t you be no square
If you can’t find a partner use a wooden chair”
The lyrics talk about a sad sack who is sitting alone and the warden encouraging him to dance with a wooden chair if he can’t find a partner.
Chorus
Repeat chorus
Conclusion
“Jailhouse Rock” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. Its catchy melody and upbeat rhythm make it a popular hit even today. The lyrics tell the story of a party in a county jail where the whole place is rocking and everyone is dancing to the Jailhouse Rock.
