Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”

“Warden Threw A Party In The County Jail…”

Elvis Presley came bursting onto the music scene in 1954 and by the release of ‘Jailhouse Rock’ in 1957, he was already the biggest star on the planet!

‘Jailhouse Rock’ was the anthem for a generation of youths wanting to rebel against their parents in the name of cutting loose and being young.

It’s impossible to even consider discussing classic rock without mentioning the massive impact made by Elvis. To this day, rock musicians cite him as a major influence and inspiration.

With two guitar chords mixed with snare drum hits, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ has one of the most memorable intros in rock history. The intro lasts just six seconds, but the pattern repeats throughout the verses, establishing a firm musical hook that songwriters still envy.

This hip shaking boy from Tupelo is highly regarded as the best to ever entertain – and we agree! Elvis commanded a stage like no one before him and no one since, and watching him do it is still magic decades later!

+ Jailhouse Rock lyrics +

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 them knocked-out jailbirds sing

Let’s rock; everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

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

Let’s rock; everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

Number forty-seven said to number three
“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”

Let’s rock; everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

Sad sack was 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”

Let’s rock; everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

Shifty Henry said to Bugs, “For Heaven’s sake
No one’s lookin’; now’s our chance to make a break”
Bugsy turned to Shifty and he said, “Nix, nix
I want to stick around a while and get my kicks”

Let’s rock; everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock

Dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
Dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock