more from
Bloodshot Records
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Wild! Wild! Wild!

by Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail Lewis

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $13 USD  or more

     

  • CD - Digipack
    Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Includes unlimited streaming of Wild! Wild! Wild! via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
I’m the sister of a hellraiser, the daughter of an old tomcat I was playin’ the piano in a honky-tonk before you bragged about that If it’s a song about hard hard livin’, it’s a song I’m livin’ in If a rough road goes there, you can bet I’ve been When the girls was playin’ at jumprope, I was playin’ the men for fools I was drownin’ in a sea of whiskey when they were dreamin’ ‘bout Liverpool Ever since I was a child I was fast and wild, I guess I’m a wild one still ‘Cause when you say ‘you can’t’ -- you know I will. I’m like a record that won’t wear out, I’m like a wheel that spins on You can’t hardly stop rolling, when you’ve been round too long. Down in Flagstaff, Arizona, there’s a tavern where I’m barred They say I caused a riot back in ’78 by rockin’ the joint too hard If you can’t take the beat, get out of my kitchen now There’s fire on my fingers, and fever on my brow. This ain’t an old-folks reunion, this ain’t a Johnny Cash song They can’t make you walk no line when you’ve been round too long. Won’t you put me in Kentucky when my time on earth has ceased ‘Cause out of all the men who hurt me, Jack Daniels hurt me least If I raised some Cain, lived a little insane, it never was a plan of mine Lord to be an angel ‘fore my time! All of you young people preachin’ ain’t had the chance to go wrong Well it’s too late to go straight when you been round too long. I’m like the Sun that keeps burnin’ -- I’m like a wheel that spins on You can’t hardly stop rolling, when you’ve been round too long.
2.
Swingin’ doors and whiskey river: the first words I learned to say Willie, Merle, and all those outlaws was all that Daddy’d ever play These beer joints where I’m workin’ I started workin’ at 16 And if I look a little ragged, must be those 30 years between. My first single hit the big time, for a while there I was hot I can’t recall the early ‘90s, and these last 10 I’d rather not There are mornings when I wonder what I can show for all my time But I sure can sing with feeling: “Whiskey river take my mind.” This honky-tonkin’ way of livin’ I’ve been livin’ way too long ‘Scuse me if I’m late for heaven -- I just lived a country song. Now in this Super 8 in Reno, a couple screamin’ through the wall I’m lyin’ in my jeans and dreamin’ ‘bout a girl in Omaha Well that’s been 20 years and counting, I can’t go back there anyhow I’ve hitched my wagon to a heartache, and Lord I’m sleepin’ with it now. This honky-tonkin’ way of livin’ will make the weak out of the strong Don’t tell your troubles to me, mister -- until you’ve lived a country song. When that lost highway finds you, those family ties won’t bind you No matter how your Mama may try Just follow Hank down that highway, till you feel it when you say “I’m so lonesome I could cry”... This honky-tonkin’ way of livin’ I’ve been livin’ way too long ‘Scuse me if I’m late for heaven -- I just lived a country song. And if I never get to heaven, it’s ‘cause I lived a country song.
3.
It wasn’t just the promise of a thrill Nor your tender touch alone that broke my will It was knowing where we were going, we’d never turn back ‘round And in one reckless night we’d be forever bound. That’s why they call it temptation There’s no power so strong For our hearts could see the right road Yet we ran to the wrong That’s why they call it temptation For long after it’s through I’m back home with her tonight (And I’m holding him tight) But still dreaming of you. I tried to keep my hands from where they longed to go And I did all I could to help you, short of saying no All of the past we burned to ashes with just one foolish kiss And all that followed was just too much to resist.
4.
Back when this land was a jungle That’s when it was my home I had a lion’s blood, all I wanted was To ravage and to roam. Once you crossed paths with this stray cat We was rippin’ it up in style We were fast and free, weren’t we Wild, wild, wild. Well the backwoods clung to our sneakers And our knees showed through our jeans Fast as our hearts beat, how come we weren’t Blown to smithereens? The upper crust all looked at us like the Devil’s own stepchild And they figured us well because truth to tell we was Wild, wild, wild. When I think of those stiff old-timers I’m happy their day is done Cause their clothes looked silly and their music stank And they never ‘lowed no fun. Goodbye to the bad old Dixie/Of the bigots and the monkey trial You wanna shake the tree, sometimes you got to be/Wild, wild, wild. Well the dirt still clings to our sneakers And we’re wearin’ them blue jeans too And there ain’t nobody to stop us now ‘Cause the animals are runnin’ the zoo Just look around at these crazy cats That the whole world once reviled Baby rock-and-roll’s done sprung the cage and it’s Wild, wild, wild. Yeah, back in the day, I’m proud to say, we was Wild...wild... wild.
5.
Who Cares 03:39
I walked down this ol' lonely street And no one seems to wanna speak Oh Who Cares, who cares for me? All the world seems cold The world seems grey Nothing seems the same since you went away Who cares, who cares for me Surely happiness can be found Surely there's someone for me Must I go through life with this hopeless love Why can't I be set free? All I want is you All I know is you But somehow our love just can't be Who cares, who cares for me
6.
Till Death 02:20
It was a picture-perfect marriage, yeah that’s what I believed Then you gave another woman something you swore you’d only give to me You’re a man that can’t keep a promise, and I’m a woman never breaks a vow We said “Till death do us part” -- and that’s now. ‘Cause I’m gonna kill you, and you know I’ve got the will to So you better hike up your pants, grab what you can and run You won’t look so strong and handsome with a bullet upside your brow We said “Till death do us part” -- and that’s now. You don’t know how you’ve made me suffer, but you’ll find out when you die I’m gonna use some real slow torture, gonna make you beg and cry And after fifteen years of marriage, well I reckon that I know how We said “Till death do us part” -- and that’s now. No more honky-tonk angels, only actual angels And a fiery pit for you to think about what you’ve done So quit hiding behind that curtain, come out and take your last bow We said “Till death do us part” -- and that’s now.
7.
Way down the road from Nashville on the Chickasaw Bluff Where the food is always fine and the weather ain’t rough It’s hard to tell the high and mighty from the rank and file And fashions alter often, but Memphis never falls from style. From the Ohio River to the Natchez Trace Some sleepy Southern towns are just a basket case Old Birmingham ain’t been worth a damn for a long, long while And the hipsters go for Austin, but Memphis never falls from style. Don’t shush when they shout, nor scold when they drink They got their own way of living, they don’t care what you think The local wisdom says the key to success Is working just a little and worrying less Thank you Memphis! For the great insight That music is a drag if it’s too fucking white It’s B.B. on the guitar, Booker T. and Big Star And Dewey on the radio dial The soulful groove’s what draws ‘em, so Memphis never falls from style. Go down to Graceland, pay respect to the King Or stretch out along the river, hear the boatmen sing You want danger? They got as much as New York Plus the blues and the bluffs and the barbecue pork Way down the road from Nashville where the Big Muddy flows Eddie Braddock’s from there -- what else you need to know?! In no other city will each passing pretty girl greet you with a hospitable ! smile Yeah it’s simply ‘cause it’s awesome that Memphis never falls from style.
8.
I like to do me a little rock, do me a little roll Country boogie woogie burning deep down in my soul That’s right, it got a hold on me I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Was born in Louisiana in the middle of a swamp Like a backwater bullfrog, ready to jump That’s right, it got a hold on me I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Well Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Danny and Red! Honey, I can take a bulldog, I can break his bones I can break him for you, shake him for you all night long That’s right, cause its got a hold on me I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Well Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Oh Tommy! Was born in Louisiana in the middle of a swamp Like a backwater bullfrog, ready to jump That’s right, it got a hold on me I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee Well Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie Lord, I like to boogie, I like to boogie woogie And I'm your boogie, woogie, boogie country gal from Tennessee
9.
Foolmaker 02:56
I felt the danger, when I first looked in your eyes I was young, headstrong, but not so worldly-wise Too immature to know just what you were You were a fool (fool) foolmaker. Your smooth line of talkin’ should’ve been a clue Moments of anger, when your real face showed through Young hearts were your raw parts, any trusting soul would do You were a fool (fool) foolmaker. Foolmaker! Makin’ your wicked plans Foolmaker! And I fell right into your hands You loved me and left me, that’s all that fools are for You made me, played me, but I won’t be fooled no more No I won’t be the same, since I played the game with a fool (fool) foolmaker.  Makin’ your wicked plans Foolmaker! And I fell right into your hands You loved me and left me, that’s all that fools are for You made me, played me, but I won’t be fooled no more No I won’t be the same, since I played the game with a fool (fool) foolmaker. 
10.
If you wanna go crazy and act like a clown Be the laughing stock all over town That's your red wagon, that's your red wagon So just keep dragging your red wagon along If you stick your nose some place it don't belong Don't you come to me if things go wrong That's your red wagon, that's your red wagon So just keep dragging your red wagon along When you're making your bed Remember you'll do the lying there When you buttered your bread Don't expect me to eat your share! If you're gonna play horses and blow your dough Don't you run to me if they don't show That's your red wagon, that's your red wagon So just keep dragging your red wagon along So the chick you left me for is tired of you Baby, why call me 'cause I'm tired too? That's your red wagon, that's your red wagon So just keep dragging your red wagon along Now you've finally learned That you get burned when you play with fire Don't come running to me You can't use me for your spare tire If you don't have love songs to fit my key Baby, don't sing your blues to me! That's your red wagon, that's your red wagon So just keep dragging your red wagon along
11.
As you travel along on the Jericho Road  Does the world seem all wrong and heavy your load  Just bring it to Christ your sins all confess  On the Jericho Road your heart He will bless  On the Jericho Road there's room for just two  No more and no less just Jesus and you  Each burden He'll bear each sorrow He'll share  There's never a care for Jesus is there.  On the Jericho Road blind Bartimaeus sat  His life was a void so empty and flat  But Jesus appeared, one word brought him sight  On the Jericho Road Christ banished his night.  On the Jericho Road there's room for just two  No more and no less just Jesus and you  Each burden He'll bear each sorrow He'll share  There's never a care for Jesus is there.  Oh, brother, to you this message I bring  Though hope may be gone, He'll cause you to sing  At Jesus' command sins shackles must fall  On the Jericho Road you will answer His call.  On the Jericho Road there's room for just two  No more and no less just Jesus and you  Each burden He'll bear each sorrow He'll share  There's never a care for Jesus is there.
12.
Black or white, blues or hillbilly It's got a rockin' rhythm knockin' me silly Every time I hear it, I'm as good as gone Up or down, fast or real slow That's all ya hear on my radio I never get tired I can listen to it all night long It scared a lot of people when it first hit town They didn't understand it, they were puttin' it down But it's lasted up until today and we're still rockin' around And when they look back tryin' to figure it out Where it came from, and what it's all about It didn't come from outer space, it came from the south It came from real hard work, sweat from the brow From poor people just pushin' a plow They made up a rhythm tryin' to pass the time It came from the truth, it came from the heart It came from an old flattop guitar On a Saturday night, underneath the 'ol moonshine It scared a lot of people when it first hit town They didn't understand it, they were puttin' it down But it's lasted up until today and we're still rockin' around And when they look back tryin' to figure it out Where it came from, and what it's all about It didn't come from outer space, it came from the south It scared a lot of people when it first hit town They didn't understand it, they were puttin' it down But it's lasted up until today and we're still rockin' around And when they look back tryin' to figure it out Where it came from, and what it's all about It didn't come from outer space, it came from the south
13.
Black snakes in the high grass, sweet peas on the vine A old grey shack for five souls to share Ain’t no rest for Mama, Daddy’s workin’ all the time But I’m too young to notice or to care Fearful hymns and hand-me downs, old folks talkin’ strange Stories you came late to, you can’t hardly change But if dreams don’t turn to silver nor teardrops to wine How did Hardluck Louisiana Turn to Heaven in my mind? I can hear a hound dog tell his troubles to the moon And a soft wind stirrin’ in the live oak trees That front porch piano was always out of tune But no angel band made a sweeter harmony When each day’s a miracle, how’s a child to know? Maybe I should quit believin’...it was all so long ago Life could be a miracle, how’s a child to know? Maybe I should quit believin’...it was all so long ago

about

Wild! Wild! Wild!, the new collaboration between Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks and rock-and-roll royalty Linda Gail Lewis, gleefully lives up to its title. It’s Americana music that’s as butt-shakin’ as Beale Street, deep-rooted as the Grand Ole Opry, and hip as a trip to The Strip. Subversive as it is reverential, the album jumps the genre tracks of nitty-gritty rock-and-roll, country-and-western, rockabilly, jump swing, and gospel, landing in a strange slice of spacetime—call it 1954—when all these were One (and Linda was 7).

Robbie Fulks, the record’s producer, is “one of the most observant and wry songwriters of the past two decades” (Rolling Stone). Ground-zero Louisiana-born rocker Linda Gail Lewis is the younger sister and frequent performing partner of Jerry Lee Lewis, whose piano innovations she carries forward. Her present-at-the-creation cred buoys the record while Robbie—who sings, plays, leads the band, writes most of the songs, and arranges the others—provides an anchoring sensibility, one that savors old sounds but sidesteps nostalgia. Their two talents have fashioned a record that’s urgent, honest, and fun. Remember fun?

“Round Too Long,” “Boogie-Woogie Country Girl,” and the title track all crackle with the unmistakable Lewis pumping piano; here is a fresh blast of the rowdy religious fire that devastated polite America 60 years ago, delivered with genetic precision and power. “It Came From the South”—co-written by NRBQ’s classic-era guitarist Al Anderson and played by its current one, Scott Ligon—recounts the origin story of rock-and-roll with pithy phrases and a neat beat. “Memphis Never Falls From Style” grooves with three of Chicago’s finest jazz elders, notably Eric Schneider, who cut his teeth in the road bands of Count Basie and Earl Hines, and whose sensational clarinet solo is one of the album’s highlights. “On The Jericho Road,” a gospel not-quite-standard that Linda and Jerry Lee sang together as children, is a Sunday song that skips along with Saturday-night joie de vivre. “Hardluck, Louisiana” recounts Linda’s childhood and is the most elegiac and reflectively intense performance—both vocal and piano—of her career.

Robbie sings lead on “Foolmaker,” which is saturated with Stax soul. It benefits mightily from two Chicago singers, Joan Collaso and Yvonne Gage, whom he learned of not through their decades of high-visibility work with people like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Madonna, but by sitting home idly watching Empire. Two more Robbie originals, “That’s Why They Call It Temptation” and “I Just Lived A Country Song,” are the kind of weapons-grade country now found only in the shadows of Music Row. The classic “Your Red Wagon” is presented as a B3-fueled dash through a Naugahyde supper club. “Who Cares,” the Don Gibson hit, poses the question, "What can’t the great Merle Haggard sideman and Telecaster master Redd Volkaert do on a 1959 Gibson L5?" The answer: Stop playing. (The fadeout was strictly necessary.)

The crisp, unmanipulated sound of Wild! Wild! Wild! owes a lot to Alex Hall, who engineered (for instance, setting up mics and moving baffles as the group worked through arrangement issues) as well as drummed (...then hitting “record,” running across two rooms, and counting off). Alex is known for his similarly sharpening influence on records by J.D. McPherson, The Flat Five, Pokey LaFarge, and The Cactus Blossoms.

Linda Gail Lewis’s recording career spans almost 50 years, loosely bookended by the present record and 1969’s Together, her duet album with Jerry Lee—with her acclaimed summit with Van Morrison, 2000’s You Win Again, in the middle. Robbie has made 13 solo records since 1996. His last one, 2016’s Upland Stories, demonstrated expanding ambitions and strengths, and was honored with two Grammy nominations, one for Folk Album and another for American Roots Song (“Alabama At Night”).

credits

released August 10, 2018

FROM ROBBIE:
What a delight and a privilege
it was working on this record.
So much of the best American
music – from jazz to Jesus, with
country and R&B and r ock-androll
somewhere between – is in
Linda’s genetic code. Her f ortissimos
are backed by honest feeling, her
simplicities are profound. And her sunny,
high-humored attitude toward life inspires
me as much as her musicality. Withoutwhoms:
Micke Finnell, Mark Roberts,
Bailey Dee, John Abbey, the late Mose
Allison, the even-later Jack Clement,
and the reliably punctual Donna Fulks.

FROM LINDA:
Thank you to my talented
friend Robbie, for the songs,
his performances, and for
producing this album. A special
dedication to Al Bell for his belief
in us. I’d lik e to thank my family
Eddie Braddock, Annie Marie
Lewis, Oliver Dolan, Danny B.
Harvey, Judith Coghlan Lewis,
Mark Potter, and My Brother
Jerry Lee Lewis who is
my inspiration. I’d like to
remember my Mother,
Father, and Sister who
always believed in me.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Robbie Fulks Chicago, Illinois

Robbie Fulks is a recording artist, instrumentalist, & songwriter living in Chicago. His most recent release, Upland Stories, earned wide-spread recognition & 2 Grammy® nominations. His early work helped define the 90s "alt-country" movement while his newer work extends that tradition with old-time rambles, reflections on love, & the troubles the people. ... more

shows

contact / help

Contact Robbie Fulks

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Wild! Wild! Wild!, you may also like: