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Jailhouse Rock

Elvis Presley Lyrics Words & Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Elvis Presley 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 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.

The 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 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 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.

Recorded: 1957/04/30, first released on single

Elvis Presleys Movies From the movie Jailhouse Rock

Articles about Elvis Presley Elvis Presley, Leiber & Stoller and Jailhouse Rock
Elvis Presley Photos Jailhouse Rock recording sessions

April 30, 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California

Jailhouse Rock H2WB 6779-06
Jailhouse Rock (Movie Version) H2WB 6780-SP
Treat Me Nice (First Movie Version) HRA1 8681-19
Young And Beautiful H2WB 6777-22

May 3, 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California

Treat Me Nice (Second Movie Version) H2WB 6778-SP
I Want To Be Free (Composite Record Version) H2WB 6781-SP
Baby I Don't Care (First Vocal Overdub) HRA1 8683-01
Don't Leave Me Now (Elvis' Piano Version) WPA5 2600-02
Don't Leave Me Now (Hit Record Version) HRA1 8684-21

May 8, 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California

Baby I Don't Care (Second Vocal Overdub) H2WB 6782-06

May 9, 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California

Don't Leave Me Now H2WB 6783-12

Mid-August 1957 : Elvis traded his three-wheel custom-built Messerschmitt Elvis Presley Photos for a two-and-a-half hour shopping spree at Lansky Brothers' clothing store on Beale Street in Memphis.

Elvis arrived at the station with his parents, Anita, and his male friends, George Klein, Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike
Elvis arrived at the station with his parents, Anita, and his friends, George Klein, Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike
 
Making no secret of their affection for each other, Elvis and Anita Wood look into each others eyes like any other lovers bidding farewell
Making no secret of their affection for each other, Elvis and Anita Wood look into each others eyes like any other lovers bidding farewell
 
'Ooooh', murmured the 25 or so teenagers standing by when their idol, Elvis, kissed his 'number one' girl, Anita Wood, before boarding the train.

August 27, Before boarding an 11 o'clock train at Central Station, Elvis Presley told a small crowd gathered to see him off 'Anita is number one with me – strictly tops,' Elvis beamed, meaning the pert and pretty blond Anita Wood standing beside him. Anita, a WHBQ-TV star, was one of two winners of the Mid-South Star Hunt last Thursday. Elvis and three traveling companions left for the Pacific northwest for personal appearance tour.

About 25 young fans were on hand for his unannounced departure at 11 p.m. As the train lurched forward and Elvis waved, three small girls who had pushed to the front of the crowd began crying. 'I'll Just Die!' One squealed: 'three whole weeks – I can't stand it – I'll just die!' (Elvis will be back in three weeks before going to Tupelo, Miss. for a benefit show).

Elvis arrived at the station with his parents, Anita, and his male friends, George Klein, Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike, in the Presleys' black Cadillac. 'Uncle' and Mrs. Travis Smith followed in their car.

Elvis strode into the station with Anita on one arm. When the waiting fans spotted them, Central Station's marble halls echoed with screams and shrieks.

Elvis wore a light blue sport coat and navy blue slacks.

Anita looked chic in a black dress with white lace collar.

Elvis embraced his mother several times and she reminded him to 'Be good, son' as he boarded the train. 'Take care of yourself, boy', said Mr. Presley. Mrs. Presley said she 'worries about Elvis' when he goes on trips.

Elvis kissed Anita twice for photographers (and about five times for himself) before hopping aboard. As the train moved away, Anita burst into tears and Mrs. Presley put her arm around her. The Presley's and Anita walked arm in arm out of the station to the Cadillac again, with Uncle Travis following.

West Coast Tour. Aug. 29 - Sept. 2

30 August. Spokane, WA. Memorial Stadium
31 August. Vancouver, Canada. Empire Stadium Elvis Presley Photos

1 September. Tacoma, WA. Lincoln Bowl (mat) Elvis Presley Photos
1 September. Seattle, WA. Sick's Stadium (eve) Elvis Presley Photos
2 September. Portland, OR. Multnomah Stadium

September 5, 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California

Treat Me Nice H2PB 5523-15
Blue Christmas H2PB 5525-03

September 6, 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California

My Wish Came True H2PB 5524-28
White Christmas H2PB 5526-09
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) H2PB 5527-02
Silent Night H2PB 5528-09
Don't H2PB 5529-07

September 7, 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California

O Little Town Of Bethlehem H2PB 5530-04
Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) H2PB 5531-09
Santa Claus Is Back In Town H2PB 5532-07
I'll Be Home For Christmas H2PB 5533-15

CD. Elvis' Golden Records CD

CD. Elvis Complete '68 Comeback Special Deluxe 4 CD Box Set

CD. All Shook Up FTD CD - 1969 Live concert, includes the laughing version of 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'.

CD. Elvis In Person 2 CD FTD Special Edition

CD. Elvis : Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis - CD FTD Special Edition

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Elvis Presley Video Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.

This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.

The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.