George Thorogood – Move It On Over

I first heard of George Thorogood when I watched the movie Christine back in the 1980s and the song Bad to the Bone. This song is what a grimy bar (not a dance club) in the 1980s sounded like…trust me. I forgot to thank Matt, who posted this Hank Williams song yesterday.

In this song, George rewires an old Hank Williams song and gives it some kick.  It leaves plenty of space for Thorogood’s overdriven slide guitar to bark and growl. The Destroyers keep things locked in, drums steady, bass walking just enough to keep the floor moving. There’s nothing fancy here, and that’s the point. Thorogood has always understood that blues rock works best when it sounds like it could fall apart at any second but never quite does.

In 1978, they were still an underground band, a hard-working bar band with national hopes and a deep love for old blues and boogie records. The album was only their second album, but it’s the record where everything fell into place. It was recorded quickly and cheaply; the album captured the band in near-live form, loud amps, and minimal overdubs. Thorogood had said he wanted energy, and the sessions matched that request.

The song was written by Hank Williams. This song was his first big hit. The song was written by the man himself. He released this song in 1947. Two years later, he received his invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry. This song was the title track for the album, released in 1978. The album peaked at #33 on the Billboard Album Charts, #29 in Canada, and #10 in New Zealand.

Move It On Over

I come in last night about half past tenThat baby of mine wouldn’t let me inSo move it on over, rock it on overMove over little dog, a mean, old dog is movin’ in

She told me not to mess aroundBut I done let the deal go downMove it on over, rock it on overMove over nice dog, a big, fat dog is movin’ in

She changed the lock on my back doorNow my key won’t fit no moreMove it on over, rock it on overMove over nice dog, a mean, old dog is movin’ in

She threw me out just as pretty as she pleasedPretty soon I’ve been scratchin’ fleasMove it on over, slide it on overMove over nice dog, a mean, old dog is movin’ in

Yeah, listen to me dog before you start to whineThat side’s yours and this side’s mineSo move it on over, rock it on overMove over little dog, a big, old dog is movin’ in

Yeah, she changed the lock on my back doorNow my key won’t fit no moreMove it on over, rock it on overMove over little dog, a big, old dog is movin’ in

Move it on overMove it on overMove it on over, won’tcha rock it on over?Move over cool dog, a hot dog’s movin’ in

Unknown's avatar

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.

23 thoughts on “George Thorogood – Move It On Over”

  1. Pingback: George Thorogood – Move It On Over – MobsterTiger

  2. It took me a while to get into George Thorogood after he came on the scene, but I appreciate him because he always gives credit to his influences. Good sounds.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Thorogood is one of those that whenever I hear them now, I do that ‘I wander what happened to?’……Bad to the Bone, Move it on Over and One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer….and I know he’s still touring (think he has a show just announced here) he was at a time when guitars were king (which I know sounds stupid to say) but his hard driven blues was radio friendly…and appealed to us arm pumping in the air beer drinkers?….I’m digging through my vinyl to see if his was one of the ones I kept along with those Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, 38 Special and Outlaws albums….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I saw him not too long ago on Sammy Hagar’s YouTube show. He goes around interviewing different rock stars. He is a super cool guy and like you said…he is still out there touring along with the Destroyers. He did record a bar atmosphere on his records which I loved. I was playing them then and yes…he was right on it.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Like I said he was refreshing at the time. Most of the bands I like are bar bands. That’s where you learn your craft. I think when I first heard of him he still had the George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers tag.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. No surprises just wore raw. I don’t think he added the sax till later. George and your post on NMA yesterday are musical cousins but I think NMA branches out and is more diverse. They both work when I want a shot of this kind of music.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Love George as he knew how to fuse the guitar and sax together and make it rock. Move it On Over is a wicked track. Makes you want to crank it up every time you hear it. Still my fav album of his is Maverick. Lots of great George tracks out there at various points through his career.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment