Almost all the best blues are initially simple and unsophisticated, which does not prevent them from being insanely popular. Moreover, in most cases, cover versions of these compositions, performed by virtuoso musicians, lose to the original.
In confirmation, we can cite the song Boom Boom by the unique John Lee Hooker. It was covered dozens of times, and some bands did it more than well, like The Animals or The Yardbirds, but they failed to surpass the author.
History and meaning of the song Boom Boom
Boom Boom was released as a single in 1961. The history of the creation of the song is interesting. By that time, John had been playing Apex Bar in Detroit for quite some time and was consistently late for work. When he showed up, Willa the bartender would say, “Boom boom, you’re late again.” And so every evening.
One day, Hooker thought that this “boom-boom” could make a good song. And so it happened.
In 1962, Boom Boom became a hit in the US and appeared on the top charts. But it won the British public only thirty years later, in 1992, when it appeared in an advertisement for Lee jeans.
Boom Boom turned out to be Hooker’s most famous composition, his calling card. It is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of “The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll”.
Now let’s listen to Boom Boom performed by The Animals.
Interesting Facts
- John Lee Hooker played Boom Boom in The Blues Brothers (1980), but the song was not included on the official soundtrack.
- For a long time, Hooker did not perform Boom Boom live.
- In 2002, the song was featured in a commercial for The Gap.
- The song can also be heard on the soundtrack to the second part of the computer game Mafia.
Boom Boom Lyrics John Lee Hooker
Boom boom boom boom
I’m gonna shoot you right down
right of your feet
Take you home with me
put you in my house
Boom boom boom boom
I love to see you strut,
Up and down the floor
When you talk to me
That baby talk
I like it like that
When she walks that walk
and talk that talk,
And whispers in my ear
Tell me that you love me
I love that talk
When she talks like that
She knocks me out
Right of my feet
Boom Boom lyrics by John Lee Hooker
Boom-boom-boom-boom
I will blow you away
You won’t stand on your feet
I’ll take you with me
And you will live in my house
Boom-boom-boom-boom
I love to watch you strut about importantly
Back and forth across the floor
When you talk to me
so childish
I love it
When she walks like this
And so he says
And whispers in my ear:
“Say me that you Love Me”
I like this kind of conversation
When she says it
She blows my mind
I can’t resist
