The Cramps

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New Kind of Kick album cover

New Kind of Kick

The Cramps

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Life is short
Filled with stuff
Don't know what for
I ain't had enough

[Verse 2]
I've learned all I know
By the age of nine
But I could better myself
If I could only find

[Chorus 1]
Some new kind of kick
Something I ain't had
Some new kind of buzz
I wanna go hog mad

[Bridge]
I'm lookin' and lookin' and lookin' for
Something I ain't had before
I'm lookin' and lookin' and lookin' and lookin' to find

[Chorus 2]
Some new kind of kick
Some new kind of kick
Gimme a kick
I want a kick
[Verse 3]
Like baby needs mom
Like Susie needs dick
This baby need
Some new kind of kick

[Chorus 3]
I want some new kind of kick
I want some new kind of kick
I want some new kind of kick
I want some new kind of kick

[Bridge]
I'm lookin' and lookin' and lookin' for
Something I ain't had before
I'm lookin' and lookin' and lookin' and lookin' to find

[Verse 1]
Life is short
Filled with stuff
Don't know what for
I ain't had enough

[Chorus 4]
I want some new kind of kick
I want some new kind of kick
I want some new kind of kick
I wa-wa-wa-want
[Outro]
Energy
Bar code
Drano hotshot
Wack attack
Helium
Nitrous oxide
Formaldehyde
Some new kind of kick

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If you're a fan of the punk and garage rock scene, you've most likely heard of The Cramps- the band that pioneered the "psychobilly" sound, a music genre fusing punk and rockabilly. One of the standout tracks from their second studio album "Off The Bone" is "New Kind of Kick."

About New Kind of Kick

The song tells the story of a seasoned drug addict who realizes towards the end of his life that he never really explored the world of drugs as much as he wished. The lyrics convey his mid-life crisis and regrets, stating that there is a "new kind of kick" out there that he never got to experience. The way lead vocalist Lux Interior delivers the lyrics adds to the listener's feeling of unease and discomfort.

It's important to note that while the song addresses drug addiction, it neither glorifies nor condemns it. Instead, it presents the perspective of an addict nearing the end of their life and contemplating their choices.

Musically, "New Kind of Kick" is a prime example of The Cramps' signature rockabilly-punk sound. The song features heavily distorted guitar riffs, thumping bass lines, and pounding drums that create a high-energy, frenzied atmosphere. The use of echo and reverb on Lux Interior's vocals adds to the eerie feel of the song.

The song was written by lead vocalist Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy, and was released in 1980 as part of their album "Off The Bone." While it didn't achieve mainstream success, it has become a cult favorite among punk and garage rock fans.

The song has been featured in various soundtracks and has been covered by other bands. The punk band Dead Kennedys covered the song for their album "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" in 1987, while the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain covered it for the soundtrack of the 1996 film "The Craft."

In addition to the song's musical and lyrical content, "New Kind of Kick" is also notable for its impact on the punk and garage rock scene. It is considered to be one of the definitive songs of the "psychobilly" genre, inspiring countless other bands to experiment with the fusion of punk and rockabilly. The Cramps are credited with paving the way for other groundbreaking bands such as The Misfits, The Gun Club, and The Meteors.

In short, "New Kind of Kick" is a standout track from The Cramps' "Off The Bone" album, exploring the mid-life crisis of a seasoned drug addict who realizes that he never fully explored the world of drugs as much as he wished. The song's mix of punk and rockabilly creates an energetic and frenzied atmosphere, while its impact on the punk and garage rock scene cannot be understated.