Memphis born Eddie James Bond originally wrote and recorded “When The Jukebox Plays” for his own indy label called Stomper Time Records. Eddie was putting out incredible country and rockabilly music from Memphis from 1958-1963. Eddie stayed true to his country and rockabilly roots, and Stomper Time served up great Memphis Rockabillies, Hillbillies, and Honky Tonkers..including artists like Tex Dixon, Bud Deckelman and Jimmy Watkins.
This song was written by Dick Reinhart, in my opinion one of the best Western/Texas Swing vocalists. A gifted songwriter and instrumentalist. He learned to sing from black bluesmen in Dallas’ Deep Ellum district. Moved to Oklahoma in the thirties and met singers Jimmy Wakely and Johnny Bond-forming the Bell Boys. They all moved to the West Coast and ended up working with Gene Autry.
Murder ballad number three in a row. This one was written by Tom Lehrer, a Harvard Math professor by day, and songwriter by night. The song is about a man who cuts off his girlfriend’s hand so that he can hold it forever.
