Brian Setzer – (The Legend Of) Johnny Kool

If I was gonna get movin’, now was the timeSo I packed up my bags and my Gretsch ’59

When I heard the Stray Cats in the early eighties, I thought I had it on the wrong station. It didn’t exactly fit in with Sheena Easton, Andy Gibb, Barry Manilow, or Dan Fogelberg. What I heard sounded like it came out of 1956, and I loved it. The echo, upright bass, and big Gretsch guitar were there. A 1950s revival had happened in the 1970s, and it started in the 80s with the Stray Cats, but the other rockabilly bands would not reach such high chart positions as they did. 

After the Stray Cats brought rockabilly back to radio, Setzer took a wild detour into big-band swing with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, proving that big pompadours and horn sections could coexist. This song is from his 1996 album Guitar Slinger. The song is about a rocker greaser who could out-race, out-play, and out-cool anyone in town.

Setzer has always been a guitarist storyteller, and here he channels every Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and Link Wray riff he ever loved into one blast. The song kicks off with surfy reverb, blaring horns, and a beat that feels like a V8 engine coming to life (I just had to put a car reference there). Johnny Kool is the spirit of every hot-rod rebel who ever revved an engine down a road.

“The Legend Of Johnny Kool” might not have hit the charts, but it shows what makes Setzer special. He never plays rockabilly as a museum piece; he plays it like it’s still dangerous and fun…and it still is! 

(The Legend of) Johnny Kool

I had one cup of coffee and a cigaretteThen I rolled out of bed with my shirt soaking wetIf I was gonna get movin’, now was the timeSo I packed up my bags and my Gretsch ’59

It’s a hard life, loveBut when push comes to shoveIt’s the only life for Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolPlays his guitar and he sang like a foolDon’t let the big boys grind you down

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolHe was a rebel that broke all the rulesEveryone can’t stop talkin’ aboutThe legend of Johnny Kool

It was darker than black, not a star in the skySo I revved on the engine and let that Mercury flyWith the wind blowin’ by at a 105I was trying like hell just to keep it alive

It’s a hard life, loveBut when push comes to shoveIt’s the only life for Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolPlayed his guitar and he sang like a foolDon’t let the big boys grind you down

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolHe was a rebel that broke all the rulesEveryone can’t stop talkin’ aboutThe legend of Johnny Kool

Rumor had it now, this cat had it allHe was loud, he was wild, and he sure rocked the hallSome guy grabbed my arm and I jumped on the stageAnd I was rockin’ with a guy who was twice my age

It’s a tough life, loveBut when push comes to shoveIt’s the only life for Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolPlayed his guitar and he sang like a foolDon’t let the big boys grind you down

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolHe was a rebel that broke all the rulesEveryone can’t stop talkin’ aboutThe legend of Johnny Kool

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny KoolHe’s a rebel, Johnny KoolHe’s a legend, Johnny KoolEverybody can’t stop talkin’ aboutThe legend of Johnny Kool

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

46 thoughts on “Brian Setzer – (The Legend Of) Johnny Kool”

  1. Pingback: Brian Setzer – (The Legend Of) Johnny Kool – MobsterTiger

  2. Seeing The Stray Cats live was like going back in time. I think this change in direction for Setzer was a shock for many fans who were surprised when they broke up in the first place. Me I loved this and while I haven’t bought everything he released, followed him pretty closely.

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  3. When the orchestra comes in it sounds like the song belongs on a 50s film soundtrack…maybe a detective movie. Overall, it’s about as close to perfect as you can get. Either he was born too late because he belongs in the 50s, or he was born at the perfect time to bring that music to another generation without sounding like a student or a parody.

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  6. Not bad! There was sort of a feeling of authenticity around him I didn’t always feel from some of the ’80s retro acts. Unfortunately he just had to cancel his whole tour because he still is suffering from an autoimmune disease and can’t move his hands well enough to play guitar.

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  7. He is on my list of favorite guitarists, for sure. I love both the Stray Cats and his work with the orchestra. It just sounds so right. Didn’t know about his health problems. Hope he can play again. Great post today.

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  10. Suitable for a hopped up film noir Tarantino style flick? Love that verse about the Mercury and 105- it’s get straight to the point no extra frills- shorthand songwriting of the first order IMO.

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      1. I can honestly say i dont know a note from those folks unless I heard it by accident.
        You’re article was very good. I hear s much in that song. His playing is dynamite and his notd to the past without making it “a museum piece” makes the music sound fresh. Good on him to keep following his creative impulses. Great album by the way.

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      2. I liked basically all of the songs off of this album…but this one is so damn cool CB…I had to use it. He had me on that surfy opening riff…I loved that. I would have never thought the two styles would fit…but they did.

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  13. He’s in a class by himself as far as I’m concerned. When I hear this I think his music would make a wonderful soundtrack to a cool cartoon for adults. I looked at his website and love his album covers. Like stepping into another era.

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