The Blues Brothers is one of the most popular movies spun off from a Saturday Night Live skit. Why? It has a great script, great cast, incredible director and is full of memorable moments. We love this movie so much and are excited to share with you these Blues Brothers quotes.
Movies starring SNL characters tend to be forgettable at best. The Blues Brothers are one of the rare exceptions to this rule. What’s the secret? For starters, Lorne Michaels — the creator of SNL — wasn’t involved in any way. Director John Landis had free rein, and the results are thrilling. Even now, the car chase in this movie remains one of the greatest movie car chase of all time.
And then, of course, there are the actors. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd are fantastic as the titular brothers. But the great casting goes beyond the title roles. The Blues Brothers cast also includes legendary cameo appearances by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown.
Over the decades since it’s release, The Blues Brothers has lost little of its brilliance. To celebrate this brilliant film, here are the best quotes from The Blues Brothers!
Road Trip: “It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.”
After receiving a $10,000 advance on a recording contract, the Brothers need to get to City Hall on time. This sets the stage for one of the most famous Blues Brothers quotes from the movie.
- Elwood: It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.
- Jake: Hit it.
The Blues Brother Restaurant Scene: “Give me four fried chickens and one Coke… and some dry toast, please.”
Having just got out of jail, Jake’s appetite needs some whetting. They stop at a diner called The Soul Food Cafe and confuse the owner, Mrs. Murphy (Aretha Franklin), with their usual order.
- Elwood: I will have some toasted bread, please.
- Mrs. Murphy: You want butter or jam on that toast, honey?
- Elwood: No, madam. Dry.
- (Mrs. Murphy shoots him a look, then turns to Jake)
- Jake: Got any fried chicken?
- Mrs. Murphy: Best chicken in the state.
- Jake: Give me four fried chickens and one Coke.
- Mrs. Murphy: Chicken wings or chicken legs?
- Jake: Four fried chickens and one Coke.
- Elwood: And some dry toast, please.
- Mrs. Murphy: You all want anything to drink with that?
- Elwood: No, madam.
- Jake: One Coke.
Bad Faith: “Walk right out that door without your white toast.”
In an attempt to get the band back together, Jake and Elwood contact Matt “Guitar” Murphy. Unfortunately, Mrs. Murphy (Aretha Franklin) isn’t keen on the idea.
- Mrs. Murphy: Don’t blaspheme in here! Don’t blaspheme in here! This is my man and my restaurant! You two are gonna walk right out that door without your white toast, without your four chickens, and without Matt “Guitar” Murphy!
The Mission: “We are on a mission from God.”
This is one of the *other* most famous Blues Brother quotes from the movie. The Brothers need to convince their former band mates to reunite.
- Jake: We are getting the band back together.
- Mr. Fabulous: Forget it. No chance.
- Elwood: We are on a mission from God.
Taste In Music: “We got both kinds. Country and western.”
After “getting” a gig at a bar called Bob’s Country Bunker, Elwood discovers they aren’t the best fit.
- Elwood: What kind of music do you usually have here?
- Claire: Oh, we got both kinds. We got country *and* western.
Beer Money: “About the money for tonight…”
Despite some issues with the set list, the band manages to put together a decent performance. Unfortunately for them, the drinks were *not* free.
- Jake: Uh, Bob, about the money for tonight.
- Bob: Oh, yeah, $200, and you boys drank $300 worth of beer.
No More Mr. Nice Guy: “Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved.”
At a certain point, the Chicago Police had simply had enough of Jake and Elwood’s antics. Dozens of Police cars join the chase to catch The Blues Brothers, but somehow they manage to elude capture and leave a trail of destruction in their wake.
- Police Dispatcher: Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved.
Shake A Tail Feather Scene: “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the action on this piano.”
In his all-too-brief cameo, Ray Charles steals the show as a music instruments dealer. He comes out of his office to prove that there’s nothing wrong with his piano by performing a song.
- Murph: (Tests the piano) I mean really, Ray, it’s used. There’s no action left in this keyboard.
- Ray: (Smiles, comes out to the piano) E-excuse me, uh, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the action on this piano.
- (Launches into the song “Shake Your Tail Feather”)
Excuses, Excuses: “IT WASN’T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!”
When confronted with a jilted lover (Carrie Fisher) carrying an M16, Jake goes into survival mode.
- Mystery Woman: You miserable slug! You think you can talk your way out of this? You betrayed me.
- Jake: No, I didn’t. Honest… I ran out of gas. I… I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts! IT WASN’T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD!
Epiphany: “YES! JESUS H. TAP-DANCING CHRIST! I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!”
During a particularly passionate sermon, Jake finds a solution for the orphanage’s troubles.
(While standing at the entrance to the Triple Rock church watching the service with much dancing and Hallelujah choruses, a heavenly light shines down on Jake and he has an epiphany.)
- Jake: The band? The band.
- Reverend Cleophus James: DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT?
- Jake: THE BAND!
- Reverend Cleophus James: DO YOU SEE THE LIGHT?
- Elwood: What light?
- Reverend Cleophus James: HAVE YOU SEEN THE LIGHT?
- Jake: YES! YES! JESUS H. TAP-DANCING CHRIST! I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!
Prayer: “Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don’t fail me now.”
If you’re going to evade the Illinois Nazis, the Good Ol’ Boys, and the entire Chicago Police Department, you’re going to need help.
- Elwood: Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don’t fail me now.
Watch Your Language: “I offered to help you. You refused to take our money.”
Finally, here’s the event that sets the whole movie in motion. It’s the scene that puts The Blues Brothers on their mission from God.
- Sister Mary Stigmata: No, no! I will not take your filthy stolen money!
- Jake: Well then… I guess you’re really up S**t Creek.
- (Sister Mary Stigmata hits Jake Blues with a ruler for using that kind of language)
- Sister Mary Stigmata: I beg your pardon, what did you say?
- Jake: I offered to help you. You refused to take our money. Then I said: I guess you’re really up S**t Creek!
- (Sister Mary Stigmata hits Jake Blues with the ruler again)
- Elwood: Christ, Jake. Take it easy man.
- (Sister Mary Stigmata hits Elwood Blues)
- Jake: Oh s**t!
- (Sister Mary Stigmata hits Jake Blues)
- Elwood: Jesus Christ!
- (Sister Mary Stigmata hits Elwood Blues)
- Jake: S**t!
Everybody: “No matter who you are and what you do to live, thrive and survive. There are still some things that make us all the same: You, me, them. Everybody!”
Before sneaking out of their gig to avoid the Police, Elwood has some wise words for the audience at their show.
- Elwood: We’re so glad to see so many of you lovely people here tonight. And we would especially like to welcome all of the representatives of the Illinois Law enforcement community, who have chosen to join us here in the Palace Hotel Ballroom at this time. We do sincerely hope that you all enjoy the show and please remember people, that no matter who you are and what you do to live, thrive and survive. There are still some things that make us all the same: You, me, them. Everybody! Everybody!
The Best Blues Brothers Quotes
With some movies, finding enough quotes to remember is a challenge unto itself. With The Blues Brothers, the challenge lies in stopping after a certain point. If we missed one of your favorite Blues Brothers quotes, then let us know in the comments below!
Thinking of going on a comedy binge? If so, we have a couple of suggestions for anyone who enjoyed The Blues Brothers. For example, check out this list of awesome movie quotes from Caddyshack! Thanks for reading!
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