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


Lyrics submitted by amit

Jailhouse Rock Lyrics as written by Mike Stoller Jerry Leiber

Lyrics © BUDDE MUSIC FRANCE, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Jailhouse Rock song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    Hmm, I think there is more sinister stuff under the surface of this song and lots of double entendres. Elvis certainly did not write it, and most probably had no idea about any of the meaning's. Obviously there's the "Number forty-seven said to number three" verse, but isn't the title a euphemism for shagging. Also, "The Purple Gang" were sex cases either, rapists, peadohiles or homosexuals (1950’s, hey) but someone state side can confirm or shoot this down. Aynone know what "The sad sack" is?
    KellKellon July 25, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    A sad sack is somebody who's not into it.
    recalcitranton January 25, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    "Little Joe was blowin on the slide trombone"...I bet he was Funny how old people are always talking about how disgusting today's lyrics are - yet they get up and dance and sing along to this very disturbing Homosexual Prison Gang Bang song....cracks me up! I bet the "purple" gang had a blast!...LOL
    sevennotrumpxxon March 13, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I definatly see this as a big double entendre, I'm especially surprised no ones mentioned "If you can't find a partner use a wooden chair yet", haha.
    Red_Left_Handon August 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    "Bird" Is an old slang for "girl" or like "young girl" so obviously "jailbird" is a girl in jail. Elvis was not gay or bi or anything weird like that. He had a wife and he sang a lot of love songs about girls.
    TheMagicKingdom02on October 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    hi! soO personally, i think that despite all the lyric decoding, this song is purely....about dancing and having a good time!! If you look at the music video, elvis just wants to show off his cool dance moves and sing + dance with the rest of the guys. I'm pretttyy sure that "Purple Gang" refers to a crime gang, so I would interpret this as being the sort of people who are in the prison and need to just get up and dance....even if it's with a wooden chair! thanks ;>>
    eyoyobroon September 19, 2022   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Hey this is a really cool song what d'ja say han???
    amiton February 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I am sorry guys the other Jailhouse Rock is incorrect this is the right one
    amiton February 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    Great movie and great song
    stringofpearlson February 17, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    This song is about rapists, drug addicts, and convicted terrorists all getting together to play music, and escape from a heavily guarded jail. lol. Ok, So I dont know what its about.
    Fufuon May 04, 2002   Link

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