The song "Baby's Gonna Kick" by John Hiatt is a blues-rock track with a playful tone that showcases Hiatt's signature storytelling style. The lyrics depict a protagonist who is enjoying his time downtown, listening to John Lee Hooker, and cooking a meal slowly. However, throughout the song, there is an underlying fear that his partner ("baby") will eventually end their relationship and "kick him out someday." The reference to wolves howling at the door symbolizes the protagonist's worries or doubts about his relationship. Although he hasn't seen a wolf since he was 24, it represents the fear of being abandoned or left behind. The line suggests that these worries may be unfounded or exaggerated. The "jiggle to the left, jiggle to the right" part adds a touch of humor and suggests that the protagonist might be trying to distract himself or playfully dance away his concerns. However, it also implies that no matter how much he tries to ignore or postpone the inevitable, his partner will eventually leave him ("putting out the light"). The lines about some girls wanting to do the "fire walk" but claiming that the coals aren't hot serves as a metaphor. It implies that some people may try to convince you that a risky or dangerous situation is safe, but the protagonist is aware that the consequences can still catch up with him. This further highlights his underlying fear of being left by his partner. Overall, "Baby's Gonna Kick" captures the protagonist's lighthearted enjoyment of the present moment while acknowledging his insecurities about the future of his relationship. The song portrays the internal battle between enjoying life's pleasures and the fear of eventual rejection.
