As most people who know me know, I’m a big fan of swing and early R&B music. I quite enjoy having discussions of such music. The other day a song came on the TV while playing poker: “Snatch and Grab it” by Julia Lee. Someone commented on the song and I asked if they knew who it was. I have a whole collection of her music, and I’ve always been fascinated by all of the double entrendre in the music of that era (The Spinach song by Julia Lee immediately sprang to mind) … so much so I once did a radio show on it. At any rate, that discussion prompted me to post this.
One of my favorite examples of early R&B bawdiness is actually “Shake Rattle and Roll”, which became a very popular song for Bill Haley and His Comets… but as with most of those songs that were covered by more accessible white bands, the original artists had far more colorful lyrics, and the remakes were santitized. Interestingly enough, one of the most colorful lyrics of “Shake Rattle and Roll” managed to get by the “censors”, perhaps because they didn’t have dirty enough minds to think that it was anything but a cute lyric. Below I’ve posted the entire lyrics to both songs, with the common lyric color coded for your amusement. Enjoy, and if you don’t get all of the dirty lyrics… good for you, you’re a better person than I.
Bill Haley’s Shake Rattle and Roll
Get out in that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans
Get out in that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans
Well roll my breakfast ’cause I’m a hungry man
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
I said shake rattle and roll
Well you’ll never do nothin’
To save your doggone soul
Wearin’ those dresses your hair done up so nice
Wearin’ those dresses your hair done up so nice
You look so warm but your heart is cold as ice
repeat chorus
I’m like a one eyed cat peeping in a sea food store
I’m like a one eyed cat peeping in a sea food store
I can look at you tell you don’t love me no more
I believe you are doing me wrong and now I know
I believe you are doing me wrong and now I know
The more I work the faster my money go
Big Joe Turner’s Shake Rattle and Roll
Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots ‘n pans
Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin’ through
Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin’ through
I can’t believe my eyes, all that mess belongs to you
I believe to the soul you’re the devil and now I know
I believe to the soul you’re the devil and now I know
Well, the more I work, the faster my money goes
I said shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won’t do right to save your doggone soul
Yeah, blow Joe!
I’m like a one-eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store
I’m like a one-eyed cat peepin’ in a seafood store
Well I can look at you till you ain’t no child no more
Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won’t do right to save your doggone soul
I get over the hill and way down underneath
I get over the hill and way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes, even make me grit my teeth
I said shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won’t do nothin’ to save your doggone soul
Shake, rattle and roll!