This month in 1982, The Stray Cats released Built for Speed. Despite being regarded as a masterpiece compilation of their British tracks—including “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut”—there’s one song included in the album that has only been performed 4 times in their entire touring history: “Little Miss Prissy.”
For contrast, the Setlist.fm database shows that “Stray Cat Strut” has been performed live 316 times, “Rock This Town” 298 times, “Runaway Boys” 270 times, and “(She’s) Sexy + 17” 160 times.
However, rockabilly historians and music journalists consistently point to “Little Miss Prissy” as Brian Setzer’s blatant homage to Chuck Berry. The Rockabilly Chronicle has noted that the track moves away from pure, frantic 1950s rockabilly for a heavier, swinging rhythm-and-blues stomp that largely relies on Berry’s signature guitar licks.
Among true Stray Cats fans, the song is treated as a litmus test. While casual listeners only know the hits, die-hards champion “Little Miss Prissy” for its swaggering attitude, Setzer’s witty lyrics about a high-society London girl, and its distinct mid-tempo groove.
What other unpopular Stray Cats’ tracks do you think deserve more respect?
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Featured image via straycats.com
