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 © O/B/O DistroKid, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Jailhouse Rock song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

25 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +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

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.