The Meaning Behind The Song: Rumble by Link Wray & His Ray Men
Rumble by Link Wray & His Ray Men is a classic rock instrumental song that has been used in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. Its driving rhythm and distorted guitar sound make it one of the most recognizable songs in rock history. But what is the meaning behind this iconic song?
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Link Wray & His Ray Men
Link Wray was an American guitarist, songwriter, and rock and roll pioneer who was born in North Carolina in 1929. He and his brothers, Vernon and Doug, formed a band called The Wray Brothers when they were teenagers. In 1953, Link was injured during a stint in the Korean War and was medically discharged. He returned to the US and began playing guitar with his brothers.
In 1958, Link recorded a song called Rumble with his band, The Ray Men. Rumble was a groundbreaking instrumental that featured Link’s distorted guitar sound and a driving rhythm. It was released as a single and became a hit, reaching number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Meaning Behind Rumble
Rumble was not just a successful instrumental, it also had social and cultural significance. At the time of its release, rock and roll was viewed as a rebellious and dangerous form of music. Some people even feared that it would corrupt young people and lead to delinquency.
Rumble was seen as a particularly dangerous song because it did not have any lyrics. It was purely instrumental and had an aggressive sound. Some people even claimed that it sounded like a street fight.
The title of the song, Rumble, is slang for a street fight or gang fight. The song itself was inspired by the gang violence that was prevalent in the US in the 1950s. Link Wray was from a rural area and had never witnessed this kind of violence before. He was shocked by what he saw when he moved to Washington, DC. He wanted to capture the chaos and aggression of these fights in his music.
The Legacy of Rumble
Rumble has had a lasting impact on rock and roll music. It was one of the first songs to use distortion as a deliberate effect. Link Wray achieved the distorted sound by poking holes in the speakers of his amplifier with a pencil. This created a fuzzy, raw sound that had never been heard before.
The song has also been used in countless films, TV shows, and commercials. It has been featured in movies like Pulp Fiction and Kingpin, and TV shows like The Sopranos and The Wire. It has been used in commercials for brands like Levi’s and Volkswagen.
But perhaps the biggest legacy of Rumble is its influence on other musicians. Many guitarists have cited Link Wray as an inspiration, including Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, and Neil Young. The distorted guitar sound that Link Wray pioneered continues to be a staple of rock and roll to this day.
FAQs
1. What was the significance of Rumble in the 1950s?
Rumble was seen as a dangerous song because it did not have any lyrics. It was purely instrumental and had an aggressive sound. Some people even claimed that it sounded like a street fight. At the time, rock and roll was viewed as a rebellious and dangerous form of music, and some feared that it would corrupt young people and lead to delinquency.
2. What inspired Link Wray to write Rumble?
Link Wray was inspired to write Rumble by the gang violence that was prevalent in the US in the 1950s. He was from a rural area and had never witnessed this kind of violence before. He was shocked by what he saw when he moved to Washington, DC. He wanted to capture the chaos and aggression of these fights in his music.
3. How did Link Wray achieve the distorted guitar sound in Rumble?
Link Wray achieved the distorted guitar sound in Rumble by poking holes in the speakers of his amplifier with a pencil. This created a fuzzy, raw sound that had never been heard before.
4. Who has cited Link Wray as an inspiration?
Many guitarists have cited Link Wray as an inspiration, including Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, and Neil Young.
5. What impact did Rumble have on rock and roll music?
Rumble had a lasting impact on rock and roll music. It was one of the first songs to use distortion as a deliberate effect. The distorted guitar sound that Link Wray pioneered continues to be a staple of rock and roll to this day.
6. What films and TV shows has Rumble been featured in?
Rumble has been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including Pulp Fiction, Kingpin, The Sopranos, and The Wire.
7. What brands have used Rumble in their commercials?
Brands like Levi’s and Volkswagen have used Rumble in their commercials.
8. Was Rumble ever banned from radio play?
Yes, Rumble was banned from radio play in some US cities because it was seen as too dangerous.
9. What award did Link Wray receive in 2018?
Link Wray was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
10. How did Link Wray influence punk rock?
Link Wray’s aggressive, rebellious sound was embraced by the punk rock movement in the 1970s. He is often cited as an influence by punk rock bands.
11. Did Link Wray ever release other songs besides Rumble?
Yes, Link Wray released numerous other songs throughout his career. Some of his other hits include Ace of Spades and Jack the Ripper.
12. Did Link Wray ever perform live?
Yes, Link Wray performed live throughout his career. He toured extensively and was known for his energetic stage presence.
