Mean Guitar  .  Even Meaner . Two Thangs  .  I Love My Job  .  Guess Who
So Wrong... So Right  .  Runnin' From the Law  .  Give Blues A Chance
If Everybody Loved The Blues  .  Prince of the Blues
Why Do You Punish Me  .  Sweet Mother Blues
These Blues Are Kickin' My Ass
Runnin' From The Law . Party On The Levee

Every since I was a kid, people have always called me Mean Gene. I guess because it rhymed or just sounded cool. Just like guys named Dan are always called "Dan the Man", and guys named Bill are always called "Wild Bill". I liked "Mean Gene" better than my real name - EUGENE!

In the early 1990's Houston Blues Legend Joe "Guitar" Hughes introduced me to another Texas Blues legend Johnny Clyde Copeland. Mr. Hughes said, "I calls him Mean Gene 'cause he play a Mean Guitar". Mr. Copeland replied, "Hello Mean Gene, glad to meet 'cha". Thus the name Mean Gene became my official stage name and I spent the rest of the 1990's defending my reputation against the army of Stevie Ray clones that invaded Texas from every state.

They showed up to my shows in droves with their Strats and hats, acting cocky like the new fast gun in town seeking out the old gunfighter. Well... I survived the Great Texas Blues War and most of them are working day jobs. Every line in the song is the truth as I lived it.

They call me Mean Gene 'cause they say I play a Mean Guitar
They call me Mean Gene 'cause they say I play a Mean Guitar
Burnin' up the blues and rockin' 'neath the moon and stars

Daddy said, "son put that guitar down
Get a real job and a haircut now"
Mama prayed that I'd be saved
from the devils music runnin' in my veins
I said, "don't ya'll worry, I'm gonna be a rock 'n roll star"
Gonna make a million dollars playin' this Mean Guitar

I met a little gal that I wanted to marry
But her cajun daddy was big and scary
He said, "how ya gonna feed my 'petit jolie belle'?"
I said, by playin' this guitar like a bat outta hell!
Someday I'll put your daughter in a brand new Cadillac car
We're gonna live on love and a red hot Mean Guitar.

I got laid off of my job for being a dreamer.
The wolves came howlin' and lean got leaner
Couldn't find work, took my guitar off the rack
Played the blues ever since and I ain't looked back
I raised my family cuttin' heads in Texas bars
I slayed every dragon with a razor sharp Mean Guitar.

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

"Even Meaner" is a song about my little wife Joni. She is all of 4' 11" and weighs in at a hundred pounds soaking wet. Size don't matter... she is a ball of fire. Opinionated and vocal about her beliefs, she tells it like it is and never sugar-coats anything.

I have seen her save kittens in the pouring rain and read stories to old people in the old folks home, then turn around kick the shit outta some redneck in a bar who knocked her drink over. Gotta love her. They call me Mean Gene, but she has to be... she is "Even Meaner than me". Don't try to talk to her before she had "two cups or maybe even three".

I got a woman... mean as she can be
I got a woman... mean as she can be
If you ever seen her you'd agree she's Even Meaner than me

She wakes up in the morning... around the crack of noon
She stumbles to the kitchen I give her lots of room
I say good morning baby... she says don't talk to me
Until I've had at least two cups or maybe even three

I've got a woman mean as she can be
If you ever seen her... you'd agree she's Even Meaner than me

She ain't big as nuthin'... don't be fooled by her size
She'll fight a circle saw... if you cut in her grocery line
She gets madder than a wet hen... explodes like dynamite
Throws a red headed fit... that makes the devil run and hide

I got a woman... mean as she can be
If you ever seen her... you'd agree she's Even Meaner than me

She got eyes that flash like fire... tongue that's razor sharp
She handles all my money... I just play guitar
I give her all my love... she's the one I want
I do my honey do's and then she says honey don't

I got a woman... mean as she can be
If you ever seen her... you'd agree she's Even Meaner than me

If you ever seen her... you'd agree she's Even Meaner than me

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

You started out with Elvis... grew up with the Stones
But ever since disco nothing turns you on
You know every song on the oldies radio
But you need a new groove for your weary soul
Everybody's welcome come and get you some of this
Come on over Baby Give Blues A Chance.

Somebody called the cops when the band began to play
When the cops heard the blues they requested Stevie Ray
We were saved by the blues and then the caller blew his cool
S o they took him downtown for obstruction of the blues
The Judge gave 'em 90 days as a roadie for the band
and said, Come on over Baby... Give Blues A Chance.

CHORUS

Come on over Baby Give Blues A Chance
Once you go blue... you won't go back
We got a houserockin' party and your invitation stands
Come on over Baby Give Blues A chance.

REPEAT CHORUS

Sittin' at the stop light the earth began to move
A primered low rider crankin' thunder to the moon
I tossed 'em Mean Gene and yelled, "Give me your review"
Three lights later they converted to the blues
This is Mean Gene Kelton & The Die Hard Band
Sayin' come on over Baby Give Blues A Chance

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

If you're sittin' there pattin' your foot
when the band begins to play
If you can't sit still... you got to scream and yell
and your body starts to sway

Your feet start movin'... you're feelin' the groovin'
and losin' all control
It's the spirit of the blues come a-callin you
deep down in your soul

Don't even try to fight it... hide it or deny it
just let your inhibitions go
(Cause) sweet mother blues is calling her children home

CHORUS

Sweet mother blues is callin' her children home
Spreadin' her wings like an old mother hen
callin' you into her fold
There'll be a family reunion 'tween all the lost children
and the orphans of rock 'n roll
Sweet mother blues is callin' her children home

So everybody clap your hands
stand up and testify
Confess your love for the blues and spread the news
we're keepin' the blues alive

We'll have a blues revival so all you blues disciples
bring everybody you know
We'll be shoutin' in the hour the almighty healin' power
of the blues fills every soul

So keep on bluzin' and may the blues be with you
wherever you may roam (cause) sweet mother blues is callin' her children home

Repeat chorus

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

Cinderella... pretty peasant girl
Learned early how to rule the world
Before the clock had struck midnight
She gave the Prince something to remember her by
(She knew that

CHORUS
Two Thangs... make the world go 'round
Two Thangs... make you lost or found
Two Thangs... put you in the ground
Two Thangs... will turn you inside out

Cinderella listened to the wisdom of her Mother (who said)
If you got one you can always get the other cause
Two Thangs make the word go 'round

Jingle Jangle... root of all schemes
Too bad it don't grow on trees
Jingle Jangle won't buy love
But it can get you plenty of what you're dreaming of (cause)

CHORUS

See the pretty little girlies with them rich old codgers (proves)
If you've got one you can always get the other cause
Two Thangs make the world go 'round

CHORUS

Well I ain't got neither guess I'll never get the other (cause)
If you got one you can always get the other
Two Thangs make the world go 'round
Two Thangs make the world go 'round
Two Thangs make the world go 'round
Two Thangs make the world go 'round

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

Some years ago, a group of us musicians were hanging out after a show telling musician's jokes. Jokes like: How many bass guitar players does it take to change a lightbulb? How do you get a drummer off of your front porch? Those kind of jokes. Then someone related a story about a blues musician who had been turned into a frog. The frog told the young lady who found him that if she would kiss him, he would instantly be turned back into a human and be a blues musician again. To which the young lady replied, "I can make more money off of a talking frog than I can a blues musician." She put the frog in her pocket and went on her way.

Truth is: a person could make more money from a talking frog than a blues musician. It made me wonder... just how the hell did that blues musician come to be turned into a frog to start with? Inquiring minds want to know, hence the birth of the song: "Prince Of The Blues".

I may look like an old bullfrog sittin’ here cryin’ on this log
but an old bullfrog ain’t all I used to be
So come my children… Hear my tale of voodoo magic and a mojo spell
and how an evil witch cast a spell on me

I used to be a human… I played guitar…
in a hot blues band… We was risin’ stars
’Till a wicked witchy woman walked in a won my heart

We fed our lust… Quenched our desires
in the throes of passion I was hypnotized
When I woke up I was a bullfrog in a jar

At the stroke of midnight on each full moon
I’m her love slave ’till the night is through
At dawn she turns me back into this hideous amphibian

The only thing that will break this spell
is just one kiss from a sweet damsel
And I’ll be free to be a man and play the blues again

Somebody please tell my poor mother
pray for me and not to worry
I’ll be home in a hop skip and a jump

Lord above have mercy mercy
send your angels hurry hurry
An angel’s will save me from this funk

Heed the wisdom of my mistakes
resist temptation or share my fate
Or you’ll end up deep fried on the devil’s plate

So come on baby… Lay one on
I know I look like an ugly frog
But trust me baby… Your prince of the blues awaits

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

CHORUS
So Wrong... So Right
To be in your arms tonight
I want... I want you by my side
I need your love forever... wrong or right

You belong to another man
Another woman wears my ring on her hand
Our love may be wrong in so many eyes
But I want you... I need you... and I love you wrong or right

REPEAT CHORUS

Love is blind it don't see dark from light
Heart over mind love don't judge wrong or right
Cause love lives for love and it won't be denied
Through Heaven... or Hell.... I love you wrong or right

CHORUS
So Wrong... So Right
To be in your arms tonight
I want... I want you by my side
I need your love forever... wrong or right

You belong to another man
Another woman wears my ring on her hand
Our love may be wrong in so many eyes

Spoken...
Girl, it looks like you've made your choice
Now I must turn and walk away
But before I go, darlin',
There's something I've got to say Ð

If he ever treats you bad, makes you cry or ever makes you sad
If he ever does you wrong, leaves you cryin' all night long
Just remember... somebody loves you... Guess Who

If he ever takes you for granted... if he ever makes you feel unwanted
If he ever makes you blue, and won't let you're dreams come true
Just remember... somebody loves you... Guess Who

CHORUS

Guess Who loves you baby... guess who's goin' crazy
at the thought of losing you
Standin' in the shadows, like a guardian angel
Guess... who'll be watchin' over you

Guess who'll be there to catch you... and come riding' to your rescue
Somebody who loves you... somebody loves you... somebody loves you...
Guess Who

If he ever breaks your heart... leaves you cryin', alone in the dark
Here's a door that's always open... and a heart that's always hopin'
Just remember... somebody loves you... Guess Who

Repeat chorus

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

Through my many years as a professional musician, I have had the honor and pleasure to perform on stage with many people of different backgrounds in regards to race, creed, color, political association, social standing, ethnic heritage and religions denomination. I have performed with White, Black, Mexican, German, Chinese, Lebonese, Israeli, American Indian, Canadian, Cajun-French, Rednecks, Physcos, Hippies, Bikers, Lawyers, Doctors, Truckers, Weekend warriors, Preachers, Homeless people, children, senior citizens, movie stars, wannabees, up-and-comers, jerks, assholes, devils, demons, saints and Angels sent from Heaven.

Through it all I learned that when the music starts, all that matters is the common goal of getting lost in the groove and sharing a great musical experience. I also learned that the Blues is the only music where so many different kinds of people can come together as one people and leave behind all the rest of the worlds troubles, differences and prejudices. We are all equal and equally welcomed in the arms of the Blues. I feel that if everybody loved the blues, we would all have common ground on which to meet.

I was deeply saddend by the affairs and condition of this planet when the war in Iraq started in the spring of 2003. Right or wrong, innocent people always die and Mothers and Fathers on both sides weep for the loss of their child. Since my perticular view of the world is through the eyes of a musician, I wrote the song: "If Everybody Loved The Blues, There Wouldn't Be No War." Call it wishful thinking ...

Everyday i turn on the news... everyday same bad news
Some fool starts another war... people dyin' on every shore
Now i ain't no politician... i'm just a blues musician
I know this may sound silly... but us blues musicians have ourselves a theory

chorus:
If everybody loved the blues... there wouldn't be no war
All the nations would be celebratin'... and forget what they're fightnin' for
They'd beat thier weapons into instruments and be shoutin' play one more
I f everybody loved the blues... there would'ny be no war

Ever seen a big blues show... people come from around the globe
Dancin' to the happy sounds... that the blues is layin' down
All singin' in harmony... like one big family
So spread the love spread the news... we're gonna conquer the world with some down home blues

repeat chorus
lead (play chours)
lead (play chorus)
Don't send in a million troops...just one guitar to play the blues
No weapons of mass destruction... just a band to play "Boogie Chillun"
They'd be havin' so much fun... they'd all surrender and drop their guns
If it was easy as the song i'm singing... i'd be on the front lines with my guitar blazin'
chorus

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI

Imagine yourself being pulled over by a cop after a hard night of partying. You know you had a couple drinks too many and you can't find your insurance card. You are only one block from your house. In fact, you can even see your own porch light shining in the near distance - beckoning you to like an airport landing light to make a run for it and come on in... sideways if you have to!

Just as the officer steps out of his car... pop in your Mean Guitar CD, go to selection # 14. Push Play and BURN RUBBER! You can be in your driveway, out of your car, and under your bed before the officer can even get back to his car. After the dogs drag you out from under the bed, tell 'em, "Mean Gene made me do it".

This high energy instrumental "Runnin' From The Law" covers all the emotions from stark terror, to the adrenaline rush of escape, to sheer exhaustion of the chase and the harsh reality of getting caught! It was inspired by just such a situation. Haul ass and worry 'bout the consequenses later!

© 2003 Gene Kelton Music, BMI