About the song
Few songs in rock and roll history have the same raw energy and lasting impact as **Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock**. Released in 1957, this song wasn’t just another hit—it was a cultural milestone that helped define the rebellious spirit of rock music. From its infectious rhythm to Elvis’s electrifying vocal delivery, **Jailhouse Rock** captured the excitement of a new musical era and cemented Presley’s status as the King of Rock and Roll.
Written by the legendary songwriting duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, **Jailhouse Rock** was originally recorded for the movie of the same name, in which Elvis himself starred. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a lively prison dance, where inmates are swinging to the music and having a grand time behind bars. It might sound like an unusual setting for a rock anthem, but that’s part of the song’s charm—it takes a playful, almost cinematic approach to storytelling, making it stand out from other rock hits of the time.
Musically, the song is driven by a powerful, blues-influenced guitar riff that instantly grabs the listener’s attention. The pounding drums and walking bassline add to the song’s irresistible groove, while Elvis delivers a vocal performance that is both confident and full of swagger. His signature growls and energetic phrasing give the song an edge that few other artists of the era could match.
Perhaps one of the most memorable aspects of **Jailhouse Rock** is its influence on both music and pop culture. The song’s release coincided with a shift in the entertainment industry, where rock and roll was starting to dominate the mainstream. The dance sequence in the film—featuring Elvis’s now-iconic hip-shaking moves—became one of the most famous moments in musical cinema. Even decades later, those moves and the song itself continue to inspire musicians, dancers, and filmmakers alike.
More than just a hit single, **Jailhouse Rock** represents the spirit of 1950s rock and roll: bold, energetic, and undeniably fun. It’s a song that still gets people moving, proving that great music never goes out of style.
Video
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 those 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 a purple gang
Let’s rock
Everybody, let’s rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the Jailhouse Rock
Number 47 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, Rock, 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 the 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 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-
