Jerry Lee Lewis

Released: May 23, 1995

Songwriter: Dave Lazar Fred Hellerman Larry Ehrlich Lee Hays Paul Clayton Pete Seeger Ronnie Gilbert

Producer: Andy Paley

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
Johnny can't come home no Johnny can't come home
Papa writes to Johnny but Johnny can't come home
'Cause he's been on this chain gang too long

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

High sheriff and police ridin' after me
Ridin' after me yes they're comin' after me
High sheriff and police ridin' after me
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Want to see my honey want to see her bad
Want to see her bad oh want to see her bad
Want to see my honey want to see her bad
She's the best gal this poor boy ever had

I've laid around and played around this old town too long
Summer's almost gone yes winter's comin' on
I've laid around and played around this old town too long
And I feel like I've gotta travel on
And I feel like I've gotta travel on

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

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