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Elvis Presley — Jailhouse Rock
Album: #1 Hits
Avg rating:
7.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 954









Released: 1959
Length: 2:21
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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

Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock

Spider Murphy played the tenor saxophone
Ebenezer is blowing on the slide whistle
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 dancing 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 dancing to the jailhouse rock
Rock, rock, r...

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"''

Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock

Shifty Henry said to Bugs, ''"For heaven's sake
No one's looking, now's our chance to make a break"''
Bugsy turned to shifty and he said, ''"Nix nix
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks"''

Let's rock, everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancing to the jailhouse rock

Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Dancing to the jailhouse rock
Comments (158)add comment
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
While this track has some historic connotations, for me, it has never done anything other than to make me cringe. 

Heard in isolation and ignoring it was a 'breakthrough' track in its day, I'd bet it would be rated very, very low. . . in fact I gave it a big fat one for just that reason. 
 
Same with Menge... 🤓
While this track has some historic connotations, for me, it has never done anything other than to make me cringe. 

Heard in isolation and ignoring it was a 'breakthrough' track in its day, I'd bet it would be rated very, very low. . . in fact I gave it a big fat one for just that reason. 
From Elvis to Axl Rose, waaay back in those "innocent" 50's who'da ever thunk that this would be the progression of Rock and Roll, eh?  And this leaves aside all the ups and downs in between. 

Highlow
American Net'Zen
At some time in the late 1950s, my uncle in Iowa sent me an Allied Radio Space Spanner short wave radio kit - vacuum tubes in those days. I was too young to skillfully handle a soldering iron or even to follow the instructions, so dad and I built the kit on the workbench in our north Jersey cellar. After a couple evenings of mostly dad's work it was completed and when we turned it on, the first sound that came out of the thing was Elvis singing Jailhouse Rock. Dad didn't approve of Elvis' hips moving in that famous way he did, but we were both excited that it was actually working.  And then it quit. Turns out one of the vacuum tubes also didn't like Elvis, or so it seemed. So it was off to the local drug store where they had a vacuum tube tester and a supply of RCA vacuum tubes in the cabinet underneath. That worked, and I used that radio for many years before being set aside and eventually lost when my parents retired to northern NH, and that's where I am now happily retired.
Pilippino rock
I heard that Bill and Rebecca finally have given in to the constant requests to play this from John Lennon and David Bowie.
Good song but over played.  I listen to RP for is difference  next time play "little sister"  by Elvis  it rocks and doesn't get played much.

And please never play free bird or stairway to heaven

I was still in school (in the UK) and one of my class had a record store owning uncle who allowed him to pick out a 45 per week as his birthday/Christmas presents.
This was amazing  to us as we strove to learn every word, phrase, pronunciation, just so we could carelessly mime it at the next Youth Club Night, and be the presumed envy of all of our friends.
Ahh, the innocence of youth. 
at the time it's what sold..
 Poacher wrote:

Me too. Cringeworthy.

 
Liked the music but not the singer...there was better talent in that era
Very good singer, pretty good dancer and a great entertainer.  His music? meh  Has a few good songs. Never understood all the fuss, I put him in the same category as Michael Jackson except Jackson was a much better dancer.  meh to it all.   This is a good song, I give it a 7.
 bb_matt wrote:
never loved elvis.
 
Me too. Cringeworthy.
37 years ago today he gyrated off to R&R heaven.
never loved elvis.
the only great tune he ever did, roy is king.....{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajam}this band however COOKS..{#Dance}

Still miss you so much, dad...  always wonderful to hear you sing this song...  e
verybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...


Chuck Berry is still better.
{#Beat} SHUT UP ALREADY.
 Sasha2001 wrote:

The question I have is, should other posters selectively self-censor their remarks based on the possibility that someone will misunderstand or misinterpret? This is the internet after all, where else can someone go to express the musings of their conscious and subconscious mind without fear of serious reprisal? (anonymously, of course) 

RT has always insisted that his claims are true when confronted by doubters - and why shouldn't he? One of the more interesting aspects of the internet is the almost Don Draper like ability of posters to invent or reinvent themselves. Their success or failure in this endeavor is really a matter of judgement by other anonymous posters and on that score, RT's mythology only continues to grow. 

 

When I wrote that comment, I was actually being sincere.  I don't know anymore....RT 2.0 is someone who is quickly wearing out his welcome here....  

One thing I have learned about this comment board is this.  I could write 10,000 times on 10,000 songs that I love tomatoes.  Then I'll write something slightly negative about tomatoes.  Then, I'll be accused of being a tomato hater.  Everyone here sees me, and you, how they want to see them.  For me this is one great big wonderful learning experience about myself and human beings in general.  I'll repeat: there are no rules (except hogging the board to suppress others' freedom of expression).  You will never meet a person more committed to free speech and Internet freedom than me.


My point was that if RT was truly the offspring of a performer like EP, then the decent thing to do would be to recuse himself from the board, for obvious reasons.  We post critical remarks here.  This would dampen the criticism.  I truly think EP was awful.  If I owned a radio station there is no chance in hell that EP would ever be played on it.  

miss you so much to this day, Dad... to this minute... love this song...

the day you left us was August 16, 1977...  I will be dreaming of you every day in August, my father...



Miss you so much, Dad...  so nice to hear you sing this wonderful song...

Shaken Couple Sue 'Prostitute-Friendly' Hotel

Hookers beat up a guest at a "prostitute-friendly" South Beach hotel because they thought she was competition, the married woman says in a lawsuit against Starwood Hotels...




 


 rdo wrote:

I have no doubt about what you say RT.  EP belongs to all his fans though, not just his offspring, as far as this comment board goes.   It's really not appropriate for you to bring this up here, and it means we are going to see a lot of misunderstanding, confusion, and doubt surrounding it, with ugly commentary.  You should probably recuse yourself from EP songs in the future, or just not mention it.  {#Wave}

 
The question I have is, should other posters selectively self-censor their remarks based on the possibility that someone will misunderstand or misinterpret? This is the internet after all, where else can someone go to express the musings of their conscious and subconscious mind without fear of serious reprisal? (anonymously, of course) 

RT has always insisted that his claims are true when confronted by doubters - and why shouldn't he? One of the more interesting aspects of the internet is the almost Don Draper like ability of posters to invent or reinvent themselves. Their success or failure in this endeavor is really a matter of judgement by other anonymous posters and on that score, RT's mythology only continues to grow. 

It is always so sweet to hear my father sing this song...
 
feets tappin {#Bananapiano}
EMIL PRESSLUFT!
 romeotuma wrote:

I always have a visceral sensation when I hear my dad sing...  love this song soooo much...  miss you, dad...



 
I have no doubt about what you say RT.  EP belongs to all his fans though, not just his offspring, as far as this comment board goes.   It's really not appropriate for you to bring this up here, and it means we are going to see a lot of misunderstanding, confusion, and doubt surrounding it, with ugly commentary.  You should probably recuse yourself from EP songs in the future, or just not mention it.  {#Wave}
{#Drummer}
tiring....i think i could be happy if I never heard this song again.
 romeotuma wrote:

A "poacher" is by definition "one who hunts or fishes illegally on the property of another"... and that is not some derogatory name someone else calls you— that is your name for yourself... you call yourself a thief...

these song forums are for song comments, and I am an honest commentator...you, Poacher, are a common troll...  if you have no respect for yourself, by calling yourself a common thief, how can we expect you to have respect for good people who make comments about songs?

I always love to hear my father sing this song...  thank you, Radio Paradise...

 
 
you have some sort of proof of this? If true by all means advertise it as you have  ( I guess I'd brag about it as well)..if not......

 romeotuma wrote:

A "poacher" is by definition "one who hunts or fishes illegally on the property of another"... and that is not some derogatory name someone else calls you— that is your name for yourself... you call yourself a thief...

these song forums are for song comments, and I am an honest commentator...you, Poacher, are a common troll...  if you have no respect for yourself, by calling yourself a common thief, how can we expect you to have respect for good people who make comments about songs?

I always love to hear my father sing this song...  thank you, Radio Paradise...

 
 
{#Clap}
I'm down with Elvis..... But this song reminds me of the end of the movie The Blues Brothers......
 romeotuma wrote:

I always have a visceral sensation when I hear my dad sing...  love this song soooo much...  miss you, dad...

 
You know what? I think everyone has got the joke now. Now son, please fuck off.
Timeless!
In reference to the Purple Gang ... My grandmother used to tell stories about her encounters with the Purple Gang in Depression Era Detroit. Despite their reputation as extortionists and bootleggers, she said they were always very polite to her. 
His performance of this is still dynamite and resonates with raw sexuality.  Imagine how shocking it was back in the day.
 apd wrote:

Hey, I found your Dad! He's working down the chip shop that Kirtsie McColl goes to.
 

THAT IS A SICK COMMENT apd if you have any feeling in you I ask you to withdraw it, I was truley shocked to read it and God knows what romeotuma must think, I just hope that person hasn't seen/read it.
 romeotuma wrote:


This is one of your fantastic songs, dad...  I love you and I miss you so much...

 
 
Hey, I found your Dad! He's working down the chip shop that Kirtsie McColl goes to.
I dislike any musician with the name "Elvis."
The idiocracy moves into full gear.........

Dear Mr. President.

First, I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and have great respect for your office. I talked to Vice President Agnew in Palm Springs three weeks ago and expressed my concern for our country. The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc. do NOT consider me as their enemy or as they call it The Establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help The Country out. I have no concern or Motives other than helping the country out.

Elvis Presley Meets President Richard Nixon
Elvis Presley and President Nixon at the White House - December 21, 1970

So I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials. I am on this plane with Senator George Murphy and we have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with.

Sir, I am staying at the Washington Hotel, Room 505-506-507. I have two men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows.

I will be here for as long as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent. I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good. I am Glad to help just so long as it is kept very Private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today, tonight, or tomorrow. I was nominated this coming year one of America's Ten Most Outstanding Young Men. That will be in January 18 in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee. I am sending you the short autobiography about myself so you can better

Respectfully,

Elvis Presley Signature

 


Perfect. Elvis dropped from the top 100 baby names today for the first time in decades.
 chadlymn wrote:


yeah..just a couple!!!!  
 

That is right, a couple, just a couple. Couldn't hold Chuck Berry's guitar strap.{#No}
Glad to see Elvis on the playlist.  Would like to see more, some real old material (the stuff he stole from the old blues legends), instead of the #1 hits. 
 
Some guitar playing !!!
 sirdroseph wrote:
This is a pretty good song, I have always liked it. Elvis was a pretty good singer and entertainer and did a couple of good songs. That is really all I have to say about him.

 

yeah..just a couple!!!!  
This is a pretty good song, I have always liked it. Elvis was a pretty good singer and entertainer and did a couple of good songs. That is really all I have to say about him.

This explains the previous song
romeotuma wrote:


Dad, it is always good to hear you... I miss you...

This warmed my heart! I can relate in a big way.... Great tune!

 tapatia1072 wrote:
As a rule I don't like Elvis, particularly because of his criticism of The Beatles, but I do have to admit I like this song. Guess I'll have to give it a 7.
 
I don't recall reading about Elvis criticizing The Beatles very much - certainly not as much as Sinatra did.  Great song anyhow.


awwwww, yeah!
 big_gare wrote:
Why was Elvis in prison in this movie?

Give up?

Impersonating an actor.  LOL

:-) 
   Knocking down a smart-ass !{#Yes}



Elvis Presley by ~XandervanDuijvenbode
Alexander van Duijvenbode   ©2010 ~XandervanDuijvenbode

Elvis Presley Portrait



No, sorry, there's classic and there's hackneyed, and this has received so much play over the decades that it deffo falls into the latter category, for me at least. Never mind King Elvis, more like 'king Elvis {#Frown}
 h8rhater wrote:

And you're a douche-bag.

 
Try to comment on the music, honey.

This song aint no good! BLAM!
 unclehud wrote:

"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."

Don't think he'd sing that lyric these days.  How — or why — did we get so judgemental?  Who cares if he's homo?


 

Maybe 47 was female prison guard?
 unclehud wrote:

"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."

Don't think he'd sing that lyric these days.  How — or why — did we get so judgemental?  Who cares if he's homo?


 
Lieber and Stoller wrote it. They put a LOT of sexual innuendo and ambiguity into their songs. See the original lyrics to 'Hound Dog' for another example.

Elvis just sang it like they wrote it. Unlike 'Hound Dog', which got butchered.

Not many folks know the 'Purple Gang' was a Jewish organized-crime outfit. Seriously. Why they ended up playing rhythm, I don't know...
As a rule I don't like Elvis, particularly because of his criticism of The Beatles, but I do have to admit I like this song. Guess I'll have to give it a 7.
please no
 
 parrothead wrote:
I have never heard this song before !  Well not really, I just had to say that. I went on the Graceland tour years ago. I had a canceled flight in Memphis and Graceland is right down the road from the airport so I went for it. As I got on the bus across the street from the house trying to figure out how to work the head phone set I started to look around, I was surrounded by 75+ AARP gang and I thought what the hell have I got my self into. Not that I have anything against senior citizens, I'm a product of the 70's & 80's. As the tour went on all I was thinking, I want to go upstairs, but that's off limits. Overall it is not that big of a house. Almost every album he released went gold. The gold record collection was amazing. The neigborhood has gone down hill since the day Elvis left the building. You could drive right past the place and not see it due the fast food restaurant signs.  {#Smile}
 

There's an understatement. It's my old neighborhood and I wouldn't go there now without a flac-jacket.
Why was Elvis in prison in this movie?

Give up?

Impersonating an actor.  LOL

:-) 
I have never heard this song before !  Well not really, I just had to say that. I went on the Graceland tour years ago. I had a canceled flight in Memphis and Graceland is right down the road from the airport so I went for it. As I got on the bus across the street from the house trying to figure out how to work the head phone set I started to look around, I was surrounded by 75+ AARP gang and I thought what the hell have I got my self into. Not that I have anything against senior citizens, I'm a product of the 70's & 80's. As the tour went on all I was thinking, I want to go upstairs, but that's off limits. Overall it is not that big of a house. Almost every album he released went gold. The gold record collection was amazing. The neigborhood has gone down hill since the day Elvis left the building. You could drive right past the place and not see it due the fast food restaurant signs.  {#Smile}
 romeotuma wrote:


It is always so nice to hear my dad sing...
 
Yep we know. . . you already said earlier on. {#Beat}
 keller1 wrote:


Aw, come on ... it's just a friggin pop song.

On the "homo" thing: Deliverance was over thirty years ago.  Let it go, already,
 

Yeah, you're right, sorry.
 splooge wrote:
Wow, this shit sucks. Please don't play it again. If you like Elvis, and your a guy, you're a homo.
 

Aw, come on ... it's just a friggin pop song.

On the "homo" thing: Deliverance was over thirty years ago.  Let it go, already,
 fingerpin wrote:
This is a line form Mojo Nixon's song - Elvis Is Everywhere{#Devil_pimp}

 
"Elvis needs boats. Elvis needs boats."

 splooge wrote:
Wow, this shit sucks. Please don't play it again. If you like Elvis, and your a guy, you're a homo.
 
And you're a douche-bag.

 

dewhead wrote:

Elvis is Everywhere! Elvis is in everyone! Except for Micheal J. Fox. Micheal J. Fox is the anti-Elvis.

 

apd wrote:


well, that's a little harsh. Michaels a good guy. And I thought Pat Boone was the anti-Elvis. (Anyway, think about Back to the Future - wouldn't Micheal be the anti-Chuck Berry?)
 

This is a line form Mojo Nixon's song - Elvis Is Everywhere{#Devil_pimp}


I have always thought that Chuck Berry is the real King of Rock & Roll.

"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."

Don't think he'd sing that lyric these days.  How — or why — did we get so judgemental?  Who cares if he's homo?


Wow, this shit sucks. Please don't play it again. If you like Elvis, and your a guy, you're a homo.
Yes, move your ass! In CA its to early for this,or maybe not!

Annnnnnd it's a JAIL BLOCK. Two more to go.
 dewhead wrote:
Elvis is Everywhere! Elvis is in everyone! Except for Micheal J. Fox. Micheal J. Fox is the anti-Elvis.
 
well, that's a little harsh. Michaels a good guy. And I thought Pat Boone was the anti-Elvis. (Anyway, think about Back to the Future - wouldn't Micheal be the anti-Chuck Berry?)


 Sloggydog wrote:
OK some of the music sounds good but the guy is just a thief in my eyes and his idolisation is an insult to classic black musicians of his age.
 

Maybe, but without Elvis, and later on The Beatles and Zeppelin, a lot of those classic black musicians would still be languishing in obscurity.  A lot of them have said as much.

Sad but true.

To the comments on _the King_ being a thief... You say he stole the songs. I say he just touched them with his godly highness royal soul (weeee haaa!) to make them the stuff of legends, world reknown and celebrated. Would you call a "divine" actor performing the s**t out of your script making your movie world famous a thief?

What the king gave us, we still celebrate and enjoy! Bless the musicians that wrote allt the stuff aswell. 

 HazzeSwede wrote:
  I'm a big fan of your Dad also known as The {#Crown}  ,,,,
  
    Jailhouse Rock, sure rocks and so does your song ratings,
        romeotuma ! {#Lol}
 
Hey the 'tuna lives and works in Vegas, where he spends his nights imitating his Dad, days he sits on RP and gives everyone his iconic rating, using only binary code. Plus his comments are "sooooooo good for the ears" LOL


 Sloggydog wrote:
OK some of the music sounds good but the guy is just a thief in my eyes and his idolisation is an insult to classic black musicians of his age.
 
He certainly stood on the shoulders of some very underappreciated giants.
 FrankMc wrote:
I really like John Mellencamp's homoerotic rendition of this on the Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack. Outrageous. "Let's rock."
I can't imagine anything out homo-ing the original film version!!! Totally subversive and delicious!
OK some of the music sounds good but the guy is just a thief in my eyes and his idolisation is an insult to classic black musicians of his age.
I really like John Mellencamp's homoerotic rendition of this on the Honeymoon in Vegas soundtrack. Outrageous. "Let's rock."
{#Dance}
Elvis is Everywhere! Elvis is in everyone! Except for Micheal J. Fox. Micheal J. Fox is the anti-Elvis.
priceless
well, DUH!

10, of course!
 . . . this tune will ALWAYS withstand the test of time - Love the Fred Flintstone on the Piano bits . . . EPIC
Face it ... he has left the building so stop nagging the world with a dead king!
 romeotuma wrote:


It is always great to hear one of my dad's songs...
   I'm a big fan of your Dad also known as The {#Crown}  ,,,,
  
    Jailhouse Rock, sure rocks and so does your song ratings,
        romeotuma ! {#Lol}
 venus_df wrote:
too bad about the rhinestones and fried boloney sandwiches, though.
 
He also insisted that his eggs be fried in two sticks of butter.  When his doctor told him to change his diet, Elvis reprimanded his chef when she tried to follow the doctor's advice by switching to just one stick.


 venus_df wrote:
it's hard for youngsters like me to keep in perspective how much this guy changed the world.  too bad about the rhinestones and fried boloney sandwiches, though.
 

No no, that's fried peanut butter and bananna sandwiches.
venus_df wrote:
it's hard for youngsters like me to keep in perspective how much this guy changed the world. too bad about the rhinestones and fried boloney sandwiches, though.

Clearly you've never had a fried baloney sandwich! {#Wink}
Best movie dance-number ever - made me a fan for life!
I'm NOT a fan of elvis...that said this is a very good/very fun song.....just giving the devil his due {#Devil_pimp}
Thank ya, thank ya very much!
The King.....
did he really die sitting on the crapper?
I used to hate Elvis in general (his early stuff has grown on me a bit now), but for some reason I've always loved this song.
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.

teehee
10!
The only #1 Billboard hit single ever written about prison sex. Gotta love it.
Definitely NOT something that should be shown below the waist on the Steve Allen or Ed Sullivan shoes!    {#Lol}

("Let's spend some TIME together..., now I need you more than ever...)

(Ed to the Doors: "You'll never play my show again." The Doors: That's OK—we just played your show!)

I see a theme here...
 MtnGoat wrote:
Hey!
Just stop that business over there...that stuff with the hips. Just stop that now! Kids!
 
{#Lol}  I'm definitely not a fan of o'le Elvis but tribute must be given to him for his earlier work.

One for our Gov, Blogo

If I could give this a negative score, I would.  I love music.  Despise Elvis.  Despise "Rock 'n Roll."

 
jtdaley wrote:
how could anyone rate this a 1 or 2?
does that person/people even like music?
 


Perfect.
Too bad perfection didn't last long.
it's hard for youngsters like me to keep in perspective how much this guy changed the world.  too bad about the rhinestones and fried boloney sandwiches, though.
Whoa! I heard Elvis on RP? Bout time!
Ray Charles ... Ray
Elvis is needed. :) 81 songs in my mp3 player.

Good Mr. Dj! :)
Check out the choreography in the film version - amazing and provocative....

 
sans wrote:

never noticed the homsexual overtones before. Nice Elvis!

 


Lonestar wrote:
Thief.
Great movie. James Caan, Tuesday Weld, etc. Don't know what it's got to do with this song, though.
birdland wrote:
Dink.
Denial.
gopre wrote:
If *this* isn't a 10, then what is? The blues had a baby and they called it rock and roll.
that's why Muddy and JLH are off the charts
KEEP IT GOING, BILL
Lonestar wrote:
Thief.
Dink.
The King. Nuf ced.
GOTTA LOVE IT! Jukebox Jiving!
Elvis never did it for me, although I don't mind listening to him. There were much better artists doing the same thing, from the same general era. But I do like this one. It probably is my favorite of his.