The Ukulele Alphabet: Jersey Giant by Elle King
Letter J, Week 2
“Jersey Giant” by Elle King
A quick note for context in the Ukulele Alphabet:
This song was written more than a decade ago by Tyler Childers and has been covered by other artists, but I’m doing what’s likely the most well-known: the Elle King version.
Now that we have that out of the way — what’s a Jersey Giant?
Dan mused that it could be one of the vintage muffler man statues standing tall and proud throughout the U.S., many of which can be seen along Route 66. (’Sup, Paul Bunyon, Gemini Giant, and Buck Atoms Spaceman!)
We do have a few giant New Jersey muffler men here in my current state of residence, but that’s not what the song is referencing.
And yes, technically the Giants of the National Football League play in New Jersey, not New York. But that’s not it, either.
Nope, the Jersey Giant is a breed of chicken!
According to Ye Olde Internet, there’s a Southern saying that someone/something can be “sexier than socks on a rooster” or “hotter than socks on a rooster.” It feels a little confusing to consider why a person might get hot and bothered regarding fowl, but there you have it.
Apparently the lyric is a way to include a very specific agricultural reference in a sorta-well-known colloquialism.
Maybe let’s just enjoy the song and not think too deeply about it.
Listen to Elle King’s version of “Jersey Giant”:
What’s the Ukulele Alphabet?
Read all about my 2025 ukulele performance project (and its rules) here.
I want to A-B-SEEEE some more!
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