Lust n Love

The song "Lust n Love" from Stray Cats' 1992 album Choo Choo Hot Fish captures the gritty, lonesome essence of rockabilly with a tale of heartbreak and aimlessness. Written by Bill Carter, Ruth Ellsworth, and Brian Setzer, its lyrics paint a vivid scene of a desolate street with "beer cans rolling past my feet" and a buzzing neon sign, evoking a sense of being stuck at life's crossroads. The song's raw emotion, paired with its Chicago blues-inspired guitar, resonated with fans, with one reviewer on Rate Your Music calling it a standout track for its danceable energy. In a 1992 interview with Guitar Player magazine, Setzer mentioned that the band aimed to channel their classic sound with producer Dave Edmunds, blending their 1950s roots with a modern edge, which shines through in the song's nostalgic yet fresh vibe.

Behind the scenes, "Lust n Love" reflects the band's effort to recapture their spark after a hiatus. According to a post on the fan-run Stray Cats Fans Facebook group, the band had initially worked with Nile Rodgers on a different project but scrapped it to return to their rockabilly roots with Edmunds. Fans in the group shared that the song's themes of longing and loss hit home, with some speculating it drew from Setzer's personal experiences, though he’s never confirmed this. The track’s chord progression, detailed on Guitar Tabs Explorer, has been praised by amateur guitarists for its accessibility, making it a favorite for fans to jam along to at home.

Stray Cats formed in 1979 in Massapequa, New York, when guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer teamed up with school friends Lee Rocker (double bass) and Slim Jim Phantom (drums). Inspired by 1950s rockabilly icons like Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, they started as the Tom Cats, playing local gigs under various names to trick club owners into booking them repeatedly, as Setzer revealed in a 2019 interview with Rolling Stone. Their raw energy caught attention in New York’s punk scene at venues like CBGB, but the band found their big break after moving to the UK in 1980, where a rockabilly revival was brewing. Signed by Arista Records, their debut album, Stray Cats (1981), spawned hits like "Rock This Town," cementing their status as revival pioneers.

The band’s visual style—pompadours, tattoos, and vintage threads—made them MTV staples, and their music blended Sun Records’ slapback echo with punk’s edge. Despite breakups in the 1980s and 1990s, they’ve reunited periodically, with their 2019 album 40 marking a triumphant return. You can follow Stray Cats on their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates on tours and releases. Fans also connect on the Stray Cats Fans Facebook group and the tribute site Rocky-52, which offers detailed discographies and bios.