Meaning of "Can't Kill The Boogieman" by Eric Burdon

"Can't Kill The Boogieman" by Eric Burdon pays homage to the enduring legacy of the blues, personified through the figure of John Lee Hooker. The lyrics reflect on the narrator's formative years, spent in an art school in the UK, where the love for music and dancing was instilled. The reference to John Lee Hooker symbolizes the artist's admiration for the blues as a force that transcends time and place. By describing a profound encounter with Hooker in a car ride through a gritty neighborhood, the song emphasizes the transformative power of the blues, painting it as a universal language that connects individuals regardless of their background. The repeated assertion that "you can't kill the boogieman" serves as a defiant declaration of the genre's resilience and ability to persist despite adversity. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a deep reverence for the blues as a source of solace, healing, and unity.