About the Song
Ah, the crackling vinyl, the scent of dusty record sleeves, the warm glow of a tube light… memories come floodin’ back, don’t they, when you hear the first few bars of Elvis Presley’s “I Got Stung”. It was like a shot of pure rock and roll adrenaline, back in the days when bobby socks were high and sideburns were higher, and Elvis was the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Released in 1958, just before the King went off to serve his country, “I Got Stung” wasn’t your typical Elvis ballad. This was a bee-boppin’, foot-stompin’ good time, a two-minute burst of pure energy that could make even the stiffest knees twitch and the grayest hair curl. It wasn’t just the catchy tune, mind you, though that melody could burrow into your head and stay there for days. It was Elvis, the man himself, injectin’ every syllable with his trademark blend of swagger and charm.
He starts off with a playful drawl, “Holy smoke! A land sakes alive!”, his voice smooth as Tennessee honey, before launchin’ into a breathless tale of gettin’ stung by a sweet little honey bee. Now, it wasn’t just the sting that got to him, no sir. This bee, she done somethin’ to his whole system. It started in his eyes, crept up to his head, flew straight to his heart, and left him “stung dead”, he moans, his voice drippin’ with mock despair.
But don’t be fooled by the lyrics. “I Got Stung” wasn’t about some literal bee sting. It was a metaphor, a playful way of talkin’ about the heady, intoxicating feeling of love. That first spark, that rush of excitement, the way it makes you see the world through rose-colored glasses – Elvis captured it all in this little two-minute masterpiece.
And he wasn’t alone in this feelin’. “I Got Stung” was a smash hit, climbin’ the charts like a rocket and even reachin’ the top spot in the UK. It became a favorite at sock hops and juke joints, a song that could get even the most reluctant wallflower shakin’ their tail feathers.
So, next time you hear those opening bars, close your eyes and let yourself be transported back to a simpler time. Feel the buzz in the air, the energy of youth, the pure joy of rock and roll. And remember the King, the man who could turn a bee sting into a global phenomenon, the one and only Elvis Presley. Because even though he may be gone, the sting of “I Got Stung” still lingers, a sweet reminder of the magic he brought to the world.
Video
Lyrics
Holy smoke, land sakes alive
I never thought this could happen to me
Aha-ha, yeah
Aha-ha, yeah
I got stung by a sweet honey bee
Oh, what a feeling come over me
It started in my eyes, crept up to my head
Flew to my heart ’til I was stung dead
I’m done, uh-huh
I got stung
Aha-ha, yeah
Aha-ha, yeah
She had all that I wanted and more
And I’ve seen honey bees before
She started buzzin’ in my ear, buzzin’ in my brain
Got stung all over but I feel no pain
I’m done, uh-huh
I got stung
But I don’t think I’m complainin’
I’m mighty pleased we met
‘Cause you gimme just one little peck
On the back of my neck
And I break out in a cold, cold sweat
Well, if I live to 102
I won’t let nobody sting me but you
I’ll be buzzin’ ’round your hive every day at five
But I’m never gonna leave once I arrive
‘Cause I’m done, uh-huh
I got stung
Aha-ha, yeah
Aha-ha, yeah
And I don’t think I’m complainin’
I’m mighty pleased we met
‘Cause you gimme just one little peck
On the back of my neck
And I break out in a cold, cold sweat
But if I live to 102
I won’t let nobody sting me but you
I’ll be buzzin’ ’round your hive every day at five
But I’m never gonna leave once I arrive
‘Cause I’m done, uh-huh
I got stung
Aha-ha, yeah
Aha-ha, yeah
I got stung
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