WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Janmarie on January 15, 2004, 08:27:43 PM
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I've always liked the song keep it clean but was only familiar with the Dave Van Ronk version that I have somewhere on vinyl. I think it starts out:
You want to get frisky, don't want to pay the price
Give me shot of whisky and fill it up with ice
Coca Cola, Lemon soda and a dish of ice cream
Take soap and water, baby for to keep it clean
I may have some of these lyrics wrong but think I'm close.
Eddie, a.k.a. Mr. Natural, did a version of this at PT Blues camp a few years back - almost a techno version which I thought was great.
I discovered by accident a couple of weeks ago that Charley Jordon wrote this (and I'm betting most of you already knew this). I came across the music in a couple of books I have: Grossman's 'Legends of Country Blues Guitar' and another of his books, 'The Country Blues Guitar'. This piqued my interest enough to check the Document Records site for anything on Charley Jordon and I ended up purchasing, " Charley Jordon the essential", which includes 2 versions of Keep It Clean. (I had previously purchased 2 other essential recordings from Document - one on Ida Cox and the other on Victoria Spivey and am very pleased with the remastering on these sets).
OK - I'm finally getting around to my question. The following 3 lines are how most of the verses for Charley Jordon's 'Keep It Clean' end:
Got her over, give him Coca Cola,
Lemon soda, sauce of ice cream,
Takes soap and water, for to keep it clean.
What's Charley saying here? Is he alluding to something euphemistically that I'm missing (OK - I admit I can be rather naive)? Or are these lyrics simply whimsical? In 'Legends of Country Blues Guitar' Grossman says "The often whimsical songs Jordan himself recorded belie the violent world in which he apparently lived."
Do any of you have any further insight?
Thanks.................Jan
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Hi Jan,
Ain't it great when you discover the original -? for a song you've enjoyed for years?
I don't really have any insights for you on 'keep it clean' - I do remember discussing it, I think, in the old weenie list (I'll email Mark and try to get a copy to search) - but I think we just ended up scratching our heads as you are doing.? Maybe someone will rememer the discussion better than I.
You really do want to find some double entendre in this song with the Yas, Yas, Yas lines? - but I have to think the lyrics are just whimsy.
cheers,
JohnD
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Hi Janmarie,
I agree with John D., whimsy is a good word for this song's lyrics. It has always struck me as a slightly naughty kid's song, sort of like Bo Carter's "Pussy Cat" or John Hurt's "I'm Satisfied". I heard the lyric of the chorus as:
Rode him over, give him a Coca Cola,
Lemon soda, saucer of ice cream
Take soap and water
For to keep it clean
It is really a catchy tune, and kind of easy to get stuck on.
All best,
John
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I really get caught up in the evolution of songs and I've loved this song for years. Has been great to learn more about it.
I'm going to have to check out Bo Carter's "Pussy Cat" - I'm not familiar with it. I've always loved "I'm Satisfied".
Thanks to both of you...........Jan Marie
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Jan,
I'd have to give the song another listen but I have played it (in what seems like a past life lately - geez I gotta play some guitar) and have always taken my cue from Dave van Ronk in the chorus and sung "Roll him over," "roll her over" or rolled. Will have to check more carefully.
edited to add "rode" actually makes more sense.
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Hi all:
Stefan Grossman published a partial transcription of Keep It Clean along with the lyrics in his first Counrty Blues Guitar instruction book (out of print?). I'll see if I can dig it out.
Alex
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Hi all:
I've been transcribing some Charley Jordan lyrics lately for some '31 songs and I thought I'd share
The first is Cheating Blues. This is a 12-bar piano-guitar duet with and unknown (to me!) pianist.
The song is played in standard tuning, key of E, capo IV. It has many of Charley's "signature licks"; the ending is identical to "Keep It Clean"
https://youtu.be/8gd-7gLH_70
Cheating Blues
1931
Standard tuning, Key of E
Capo IV
1) Instrumental verse
2) I had a dream last night baby, that you were cheating on me (x2)
Because when you came home, the clock was striking three
3) So watch my dream baby and don't let it come true (x2)
Because if you do I will go ta cheating too.
4) Now cheating is a game that you women all love to play (x2)
But if you ain't very careful, cheating will carry you to your grave.
5) Instrumental break
6) Honey (Well it's), baby, baby please stop cheating on me (x2)
Because you've been cheating on me ever since we left Tennessee
7) You cheats on me baby, from morning until night (x2)
And then I hear you say baby, that you ain't treated right
8 ) Now I'm gonna tell you one thing baby, just what I am going to do (x2)
If I ever catch you cheating on me, things will be too tight for you.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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This is a 12-bar piano-guitar duet with and unknown (to me!) pianist.
The pianist on Cheating Blues is Peetie Wheatstraw. With a few possible exceptions, the pianist on all of Jordan's songs where one is present, is Wheatstraw.
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Howdy:
Greyhound Blues is similar in accompanyment (piano-guitar) to Cheating Blues. The guitar is less prominent, taking a more rythum role.
The song is in E, Capo III (maybe the piano player didn't want to play in G# anymore!).
A good Canadian like myself enjoys the snow references in two verses.
https://youtu.be/NaQPTZIwPyQ
Greyhound Blues
1931
Standard tuning, Key of E
Capo III
Intro
1) The Greyhound is comin', cain't you hear that motor run (x2)
I can hear the wheels rollin' like they never did rumblin' before
2) Well it's baby, baby, won't you please stop your cryin' (x2)
Because your daddy will be home if the Greyhound pulls off in time.
3) Now the snow from the sky will be fallin' down before long (x2)
But your dady's comin' home just to keep your little feet warm.
4) Now the wind is blowin' and blowin' snow in my face (x2)
Now when I get back to St. Louis, please don't have nobody in my place.
5) I went to the telephone and I pulled the reciever down (x2)
And I said lookout baby, or you daddy will soon be back in town.
6) When I hit St. Louis baby I know that I can't hardly take my time. (x2)
For tryin' to make it on back to that sweet gal I left behind.
Alex
[attachment deleted by admin]
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6) Honey, baby, baby please stop cheating on me (x2)
Because you've been cheating on me ever since we left Tennessee
I hear "Well it's baby, baby..." Especially the second time. First time could be Honey...
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Hey:
Keep It Clean #2 follows (as I remember) a virtually identical solo guitar accompaniment to Keep It Clean (why mess with a good thing I guess).
Keep It Clean #2
1931
Standard tuning, Key of E
Capo
https://youtu.be/1yqeEz86uMQ
1) Intro verse
2) I rode him to the river, rode him so fast
Ya couldn't see nothin' but his yas, yas, yas now
Chorus:
Roll him over, give him a Coca-Cola
Lemon soda, saucer of ice cream
Takes soap and water for to keep it clean.
3) If you want to hear an elephant grunt
You can take him down to the river then wash his trunk now.
Chorus
4) Up he jumped, down he fell
His chops flew open like a mussel shell now
Chorus
5) If you keep it dirty and I keep it clean
You don't know what keepin' it dirty means now
Chorus
6) I will tell you one thing that I mean
It sure takes soap and water for to keep it clean now
Chorus
7) Instrumental verse
8 ) The terriblest sight that I ever seen
Was a cook cookin' biscuits and his hands wasn't clean now
Chorus
9) You got a head like a lion, mouth like a goat
Every time you see's 'em 'e's lookin' for some soap now
Chorus
Outro
In the choruses, Jordan substitutes "Got" for "Roll" in Verses 3 and 4 and "You go" for "Roll him" in Verses5,6,8 and 9.
Alex
Note: edited to reflect correction/additions by dj and LeftyStrat below.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Alex,
I think you inadvertently left out a verse between 7) and 8):
The terriblist sight that I ever seen
Was a cook cookin' business and his hands wasn't clean
I think your verse 8 is:
He got a mouth like a lion, mouth like a goat
Every time you see's 'im 'e's lookin' for some soap now
"Lion" is pronounced with the initial L kind of mumbled so it's halfway to am M, and the second syllable sounds almost like "own", with the o sounding as in "ouch", but I think it really adds up to "lion".
Thanks for the posts, I'm enjoying them!
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DJ and Unkie Bud:
Thanks for the help. I agree with all of your suggestions, although it sounds like Charley was passing a kidney stone while he was pronouncing "lion".
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Alex,
I think you inadvertently left out a verse between 7) and 8):
The terriblist sight that I ever seen
Was a cook cookin' business and his hands wasn't clean
Hello,
If I may add something to the discussion, I've been listening to this tune quite a bit lately and I've been hearing "Biscuits" in place of Business in that line. Anyone else *maybe* get that?
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Hello,
If I may add something to the discussion, I've been listening to this tune quite a bit lately and I've been hearing "Biscuits" in place of Business in that line. Anyone else *maybe* get that?
Hey Lefty:
I think your suggestion of "biscuits" for "business" is certianly correct, as well as making much more sense. Thanks for taking a look at this old thread. I wish more folks would do this. I'll make the change.
Thanks again,
Alex
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OK, unless I'm missing something, I see the lyrics of "Keep It Clean #2" posted, but not the original. My take on "Keep It Clean" is below. And regarding the discussion of whether this is "whimsical" or "double entendre" -- it is both suggestive and humorous, as suggestive songs usually are. And yes, it is reminiscent musically and lyrically of children's song, and probably derives from children's song (which is a deeply conservative music form, by the way, which helps explain why this song is "pre-blues" although recorded in the blues era, as John M noted). But that does not mean it isn't suggestive. Children's rhymes and games often have an erotic component, and part of their function is to help children deal with the imminent mysteries of sexuality. And then when Charley Jordan incorporates children's rhymes into his song for grownups, it functions on all those levels (which is partly why it was a hit, besides its irresistible beat and his great playing and singing) -- it reminds listeners of their childhood, it lets them revisit those suggestive lyrics from adult perspective, it makes them laugh.
Cheers, Chezztone
https://youtu.be/bjYz80E94VA
Keep It Clean
Charley Jordan
I went to the river, couldn't get across
I jumped on your papa ?cause I thought he was a horse, now
Roll him over, give him a Coca-Cola
Lemon soda, saucer of ice cream
Takes soap and water for to keep it clean.
Up she jumped, down she fell
Her mouth flew open like a mussel shell, now
Your sister was a tabby, your daddy was a bear
Put a muzzle on your mama ?cause she had bad hair, now
If you want to hear that elephant laugh
Take him down to the river and wash his yas-yas-yas, now
If you want to go to heaven when you D-I-E
You got to put on your collar and your T-I-E, now
If you want to get the rabbits out of the L-O-G
You got to pull on the stump like a D-O-G, now
Run here doctor, run here fast
See what's the matter with his yas-yas-yas, now
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I always thought the third verse was "Your sister was a teddy, your daddy was a bear..."
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I agree, it's "teddy".
In the chorus, it's "rode" not "roll". In verse 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 he sings "Ride him over".
1.1 I went to the river, I couldn't get across
1.2 I jumped on your papa 'cause I thought he was a horse AN' I -
1.5 TAKE soap...
3.2 Put THE muzzle...
4.2
Take him down to the river and wash his yas-yas-yas AND
6.2 You got to PUT on the stump like a D-O-G, now
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OK, if y'all want to pick nits....
-- I think the term "teddy bear" (which is not in this song, just in general English) is making you hear "tabby" as "teddy." Try just listening for D vs B sound.
-- If he says "an' I" the first verse, that's what he says every time, but I think it's "now." Take your pick, but stay with it for the whole song.
-- It is impossible to tell the difference, in any speaker or singer unless he is pronouncing it strangely with a big gap between the words, between "take soap" and "takes soap." You certainly can't tell in this song.
-- What exactly does it mean to put on a stump like a dog?
Cheers, Chezz
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Love you woman, I love your husband too
I have to love your husband just to be with you.
-- another great Charley Jordan line, from "Hunkie Tunkie Blues."
I am really becoming enamored of Jordan's music -- that terrific, high-capoed, busy-but-swinging guitar style and the countryish, emotionless voice singing those funny, sometimes wacky lyrics. What a guy.
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OK, Furry Lewis, in one of his 1960s recordings, sings the line about "If you want to get a rabbit out the L-O-G," and he concludes it, "You got to put on a stunt like a D-O-G." That must be what Jordan says too! Makes much more sense than putting or pulling on a stump.
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Makes much more sense than putting or pulling on a stump.
If you go hunting rabbits, the rabbit's gonna hide. Probably in or under a stump. If you want to eat, you'd better have a dog... you know - put him on the stump and flush out the rabbit... then you can make you "both a meal." >:D
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I agree, I think "putting on a stump" makes perfect sense... e.g. tell the dog to pick up the scent trail (here, at this log/stump). :D
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Please listen to the Furry Lewis number and then think about it. Lewis' ear for blues lyrics (and knowledge of rabbit hunting and folk expressions) are an independent source beyond our theorizing. Thank you.
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Well, are you going to tell us which 1960's Furry Lewis song or do we have to go hunt that song down... perhaps finding it under a stump? :P
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perhaps finding it under a stump?
now... that would be a stunt.
ba-dum-bum!
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Well, are you going to tell us which 1960's Furry Lewis song or do we have to go hunt that song down... perhaps finding it under a stump? :P
I'm pretty sure it's Casey Jones.
Chris
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I always got the impression that "Keep It Clean" was a clever satire of the usual themes which are in blues songs
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Thanks Chris, found it on the "Complete Blue Horizon Sessions" and indeed I hear Furry say '...put on a stunt like a D-O-G...'
... but I still hear Charley Jordan sing "put on a stump" .. which makes more sense to me, even after I've thought about it. :)
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Okay, rushing in where angels fear to tread. . . .
Y'all might need a woman to sort out this teddy/tabby debate.
I don't own this recording, so I can't take it out and check, but
I hear it fairly regularly on Woody's Roadhouse (whose live stream on www.wfpk.org Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 6 a.m. I HIGHLY recommend), and I wonder if it's "Your sister wore a teddy and your daddy was a bear. . ."?
Remember, this is a song full of sly verbal wit. Teddies (short one-piece underwear for women, sort of a camisole and-boyleg-
panty combo) were new and highly scandalous when this record came out, and parents all over America were going up in smoke at the thought of their daughters wearing them, fearing that the daughters would be thought "fast". The parents had a point; that WAS what many thought.
But for comfort, teddies beat the heck out of corset, pantaloons and petticoat, so girls wore 'em, and they were topical, as miniskirts and topless bathing suits. later became. And it's easy in a country blues song for "wore" and "were" and "was" to have soft enough edges to sound alike.
As for rabbits, they're much more likely to run into a hollow log, which is often horizontal, than a stump, which is normally vertical. That doesn't really help with this lyric, but then, I suspect it wasn't written with later exegesis in mind. ;D
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Welcome to WeenieCampbell da Blue!
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I hear "Your sister was a teddy, your daddy was a bear'. 'Teddy' pronounced 'taddy', it's the accent. In case anyone doesn't already know, it's a sidelong reference to the Dozens, the insult game, where you trash people's family.
The other line I hear as "If you wanna get the rabbits out o' the L-O-G, You got to put on the stump like a D-O-G, now". I believe "put" is probably meant to be "pull". Triple entendre? The rest of the song is pure hokum after all.
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Hi all,
Like all but one of Charley Jordan's solo numbers, "Dollar Bill Blues" was recorded at his first session, in Chicago in June of 1930, and like all but two of the songs from that session ("Just A Spoonful" and "Raidin' Squad Blues") it was played out of E position in standard tuning, pitched slightly sharp of A. "Dollar Bill Blues" is a very unusual number both instrumentally and in terms of its lyrics. It is a 16-bar blues, with a notably nervous touch from Charley's right hand, which was uncharacteristic for him. The piece it is probably closest to, instrumentally, is Lemon's "One Dime Blues", and it is not very close to it, for "Dollar Bill Blues" has a much more complex accompaniment.
Lyrically, the song is really diffuse, all over the map, and seems most closely related to various songs from the Old-Time tradition, like Riley Puckett's "Poor Boy". A lot of the verses are the sort you'd expect to hear Kelly Harrell or Emry Arthur singing. "Dollar Bill Blues" is a piece I've never heard played or covered by anyone after Charley's initial recorded version, and I can see why. It's an elusive sort of song.
https://youtu.be/sMj-xgCPnug
SOLO
Says, I went down to the freight depot
Lord, the trains come a-rollin' by
And I looked out the window, and spotted there my love
And I hung down my head and I cried
Cryin', "Baby, don't leave me here, darlin',
Lord, honey, don't leave me here
Lord, darlin', don't leave me here
And it's, babe, don't you leave me here."
SOLO
But my mother and father both are dead
My sister's in some far and distant land
My brother's in some free sporting house
In this World's gonna become of me?
And it's what's gwine become of me, baby,
Lord, what's gonna become of me?
Lord, what's gwon' become of me?
And it's what's gon' become of me?
My woman give me money to play coon can
One dollar bill was all she had
One dollar bill was all she had
One dollar bill was all she had
When I set down to play coon can
I couldn't hardly play my hand
For thinkin' 'bout the girl I loved so well
She's gone with another man
She's gone with another man, baby
She's gone with another man
She's gone with another man
She's gone with another man
Which-a-way do that Red River run, baby,
Lord, which-a-way do Red River run?
Lord, which-a-way do Red River run?
Which-a-way do the Red River run?
There's some say it's both east and west, darlin',
And some say it's both north and south
Well, baby, it must-a be so
When it runs by my baby's door
Edited 9/22 to pick up corrections from uncle bud
All best,
Johnm
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Hi John - thanks for transcribing this. I've fooled around with several Charley Jordan tunes but not this one, mainly because it is very tricky IMO, but there are many days when I think it might be Jordan's best tune. I offer a few very hesitant alternatives.
Says, I went down to the freight depot
Lord, the trains come a-rollin' by
And I looked out the window, spotted the 'un I love
I like this and can't say for sure what I believe he's singing here, but offer as possible alternative "AND spotted THERE MY love". I think AND is there for sure.
But my mother and father both are dead
My sister's in some far and distant land
My brother's in some free sporting house
And this World's gonna become of me
Not sure, but offer as a possibility "IN this world's gonna become of me". I.e. he swallows the What of What in this world.
There's some say it's both east and west, darlin',
And some say it's both north and south
Well, baby, it must-a be sore
"must-a be SO"? Again, not sure.
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Thank you for the help, uncle bud. I think you're right with "so" for the third line in the last verse--"sore" is just silly, though it sounds like what he says. "So" makes sense, and I'll make the change.
In the first verse, it sounded like he was saying "spotted then I love", which made no sense to me. I like the sense of your suggestion better than what I came up with and will listen again.
Your suggestion of the swallowed "what" makes sense, too. I will make the change. This really is a great song, isn't it? The guitar is really intricate to be doing behind your singing. I haven't tried it, but it sounds like it would be really tough to play and sing at the same time.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan recorded "Big Four Blues" two songs after "Dollar Bill Blues" on the same day, and like "Dollar Bill Blues", it was played out of E position in standard tuning, capoed up a ways. The accompaniment to "Big Four" is spectacular, in a class with any E blues ever recorded. When you hear how inventively Charley Jordan played in E, you don't feel at all cheated or disappointed by the fact that he played (or recorded) almost exclusively in that position--he had an enormous bag of tricks. I love the opening line of the third verse; it seems little enough to ask.
https://youtu.be/V1el0-rBUvU
And that Big Four, Big Four, it's a mean old train to ride
And this Big Four, the Big Four, is a mean old train to ride
She took my babe away and left me dissatisfied
Baby, it's all I want, mama, just one more crack at you
I say, it's all I want, baby, just one more crack at you
And if I don't make you love me, then I don't care what you do
Please hold my head, baby, and let my whiskey run down
Want you to hold my head, baby, and let my whiskey run down
So as I can catch that Big Four and beat it on back to town
When I asked that woman, Lord, to let me be her kid
I say I asked that woman to let me be her kid
She say, "You might get buggish, Lord, you won't keep it hid."
SOLO
I've got the blues for my baby, my babe's got the blues for me
I've got the blues for my baby and my babe's got the blues for me
'Cause she went 'n' caught that Big Four, she beat it back to Tennessee
Just a few more days and a few more nights ain't long
Just a few more days, baby, no, and a few more nights ain't long
You're gonna reach for your boiler and your blade will be gone
Edited by Johnm, 5/5 to pick up correction
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan recorded "Two Street Blues" two tunes after "Big Four Blues", and along with "Dollar Bill Blues" and "Big Four Blues", "Two Street Blues" may be considered as comprising a sort of great triumvirate of un-played Charley Jordan tunes in E position. "Two Street Blues" may be the most sporting of the bunch to play, for Charley fills his arrangement with very difficult-to-control bends behind his singing, bending to a unison with the open B string and a neutral blue third, between G and G# (relative to capo placement). His pitch on the bends is beautifully controlled and is all the more impressive for not impeding his rhythmic flow in any way. It is really spectacular playing, and in some ways is reminiscent of Robert Wilikins' playing on "Rolling Stone", though working at a much quicker tempo.
Like most St. Louis musicians of his era, Charley Jordan consistently had interesting and distinctive lyrics. The next-to-last verse is a beauty.
https://youtu.be/-irE4Qk1oi0
Every time I start drinkin', my babe roll 'cross my mind
Every time I start drinkin', my babe roll 'cross my mind
She keep my poor heart achin', you see I'm bothered all the time
That's never was but the one thing, ever started me to drink
Never was but the one thing, that's ever started me to drink
Baby, and that's when I sat down, Lord, and I begin to think
I sent for you yesterday, baby, here you come pokin' up here today
Sent for you yesterday, mama, here you come pokin' up here today
Babe, I just think you treat your daddy this-a-way
I got a plumb good woman, Lord, in this town somewhere
I got plumb good woman, Lord, in this town somewhere
Just puttin' it down on Two Street, think I'll find my good gal there
SOLO
Well, it's down there on Two Street, that's where I always long to go
Well, it's down there on Two Street, that's where I long to go
Well, my baby went down on Two Street, said she wasn't comin' back home no more
Says, the Good Lord forgive me for everything I do
The Good Lord forgive me for everything I do
If the Good Lord forgive me, how come my baby can't forgive me, too?
Said, my mama told me, Lord, when I was a child
Say, my mama told me, baby, when I was a child
"Have you a good time now, but they gonna kill you after a while."
Edited to pick up correction from uncle bud, 9/23
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks for highlighting Two Street Blues, John. It was one I hadn't paid that much attention to and has some very cool playing, as you say.
The most minor of changes to suggest:
3.1 I sent for you yesterday, BABY, here you come pokin' up here today
Re. Dollar Bill Blues discussed earlier. For those seeking a better transfer, there's a nice one of this on Times Ain't Like They Used to Be Vol. 1.
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Hi uncle bud,
Thanks, I didn't hear that at first, but now I do. I'll make the change.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan played "Raidin' Squad Blues" out of G position in standard tuning. The song takes its melody and phrasing from "TB Blues", with some elements from "Backwater Blues", too. Charley Jordan sounds every bit as comfortable playing in G position as he did in E Position. His niftiest touch here comes in the fourth bar, where he goes to a G7 before resolving to C in the fifth bar, and he voices the seventh of the G7 chord down low, at the first fret of the sixth string.
https://youtu.be/UGCCgS6SU_Q
It's too late, too late, too late, too late, too late
It's too late, too late, too late, too late, too late
People we're on our way to the hold-over and we cannot hesitate
Mmmmm, these boards is killin' me
Mmmmm, these boards is killin' me
Say, I know I am a prisoner but I always wanted to be free
SOLO
When I was on my feet, I couldn't walk down the streets,
Well, the police lookin' at me from my head to my feet
But, ohhh, now, these raids is killin' me
See, I want my body buried, Lordy, down in Tennessee
Mmmmm, these raids is killin' me
Mmmmm, these raids is killin' me
I got the raidin' squad blues, the holds-over is killin' poor me
When the raid began, the people begin to squall
When the raid began, the people begin to squall
The sergeant say, "You needn't to squallin', the captain says to bring you all."
When I had money my friends all ganged around
When I had money my friends all ganged around
Now I'm in these raids, my friends have all thrown me down
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan recorded "Just A Spoonful" at the same June, 1930 session in Chicago that yielded all of the solo performances that have recently been discussed in this thread, all of which can be found on "Charley Jordan, Vol. 1", Document Records DOCD-5097. "Just A Spoonful" and "Raidin' Squad Blues", are the only ones of Charley's solo numbers that were not played out of E position in standard tuning; both were played out of G position in standard tuning. "Just A Spoonful" is the closest version of "Spoonful" to Charlie Patton's version, and this despite the fact that Patton's version is played with a slide and Charley Jordan's is conventionally fretted. Theirs are the only two versions of the song that I've heard that employ a circle of fifths progression, and they have the same melody, too.
https://youtu.be/MxsPfQG8Rv8
SOLO
All I crave, this Creation, is a spoonful
Big pair of mules, little plantation, and a spoonful
Spoonful, just a spoonful
Just a spoonful, just a spoonful
SOLO
I'd smack the judge and I'd go to jail for a spoonful
I'd go to jail, I don't want no bail, for a spoonful
My baby says, I couldn't get that spoonful
I said, "Look here, gal, don't you fool with me 'bout my spoonful."
SOLO
I walk the streets all night long lookin' for my spoonful
Spoonful, for my spoonful
I said, "Look here, gal, don't you fool with me 'bout that spoonful."
It's a spoonful, just a spoonful
My baby cried all night long for a spoonful
She thought that she wasn't gonna get that little old spoonful
SOLO
Police collared me, he knocked me down for a spoonful
I caught the train and I left this town for a spoonful
SOLO
Edited 5/5 by Johnm to pick up correction
All best,
Johnm
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I happen to have the next two songs lying around my computer. "Gasoline Blues" was recorded September 1930, and as John notes, was one of the many songs Jordan played out of E position, capoed up. This is one I've been playing lately, which is why I can never remember Keep It Clean. :P
https://youtu.be/Hb6HNxlT73g
Gasoline Blues - Charley Jordan
You can always tell, baby, when your woman gonna treat you mean
You can always tell, babe, when your woman gonna treat you mean
If you ask for a glass of water, she'll give you a glass of gasoline
Some of these women, they sure ought to be ashamed
Some of these women, they sure ought to be ashamed
They will go out and take money from a man walkin' with a walkin' cane
What makes you blow up, baby, every time I speak to you
What makes you blow up, baby, every time I speak to you
You make me think that you is full of gasoline too
I've got the trickiest woman that you ever seen
I've got the trickiest woman that you ever seen
Whenever she get mad, she blows up just like gasoline
Won't you let me tell you, pardner, what these gasoline women will do
Won't you let me tell you, pardner, what these gasoline women will do
They will stay out all night long then come home and blow up on you
Heyyy baby, you just full of gas as you can be
Baby baby, you just full o' gas as you can be
Because when you get drunk, you come home and blow up on me
Some of these gasoline women, I just can't understand
Some of these gasoline women, I just can't understand
They'll cook neckbones for their husband, they'll cook chicken for their man
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"Stack O' Dollars Blues" was recorded at the earlier June 1930 session, and musically it is pretty much the same as "Gasoline Blues" (or vice versa), played out of E position and capoed up.
https://youtu.be/pqRNKP1oCTI.
Stack O' Dollars Blues - Charley Jordan
Well it's too late to holler, baby, too late to weep and moan
It's too late to holler, too late to weep and moan
Too late to holler, great God, when that stack o' dollars done gone
Well it's mama, mama, mama, what's that you got hidden in that grip
Well it's mama, mama, mama, what's that you got there in that grip
Said, "It's nothin' but a stack o' dollars, your babe gonna take a little trip"
I'm sittin' on a stack o' dollars just as high as I am tall
I'm sittin' on a stack o' dollars just as high as I am tall
And if you be my little old baby, you sure can have them all
Well it's baby, baby, I'll tell you what I will do
Well it's baby, baby, I'll tell you what I will do
I will give you a stack o' dollars just to make one more night with you
You can mistreat me, baby, do anything you want to do
You can mistreat me, baby, do anything you want to do
Someday you're gonna want me, but your baby won't want you
Now I'm going to sing this verse, babe, and I ain't gonna sing no more
Going to sing this verse, babe, and I ain't gonna sing no more
For that stack o' dollars is worryin' me, Lord, and I got to go
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Thanks for saving me the work, uncle bud! They look great.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan recorded "Running Mad Blues" at his second session, along with "Gasoline Blues", and those two songs were the last solo numbers he recorded. "Running Mad Blues" has the same E position, standard tuning accompaniment as "Gasoline Blues". As usual with Charley Jordan, there are some different twists in the lyrics.
https://youtu.be/vZPEFx95_y4
There's two freight trains, baby, runnin' side by side
There's the two freight trains, they's runnin' side by side
And you got my little old baby, now I guess you satisfied
These blues I've got, babe, Lord, they're about to run me mad
I say these blues I've got, babe, they about to run me mad
You know, they're the worst old feelin', Lord, as ever I ever had
And my mama told me when I was only seven years old
And my mama told me when I was only seven years old
She said, "When you get one year older, I'm gonna set your little old clothes outdoors."
SOLO
I can read and write, baby, you know I can spell your name
I say I can read and write, babe, you know I can spell your name
If you don't write to me, I'm gonna write to you just the same
Lord, Lordy, Lordy, Lord
Lord, Lord, Lordy, Lordy, Lord
Babe, I swear I want dollar and a quarter with every cents your daddy draws
Don't you let your baby know every place you go
Don't you let your baby know every place you go
Because she'll raise so much sand that you can't go back there no more
SOLO
When I come home this mornin', my baby asked where I, had I been
When I come home this mornin', my baby asked where I, had I been
Don't you know, I was scared to tell her 'cause I wanted to go back there again
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Charley Jordan recorded "Hunkie Tunkie Blues" at his first session, and apart from the fact that he played it out of E position in standard tuning it is quite different from the other songs from that session, particularly in its treatment of time. Charley employed a very syncopated Latin beat for it in the first four bars that is so different from practically everything else recorded in blues from that era that it would be fascinating to know the source of Charley's inspiration for the song. It is, along with "Keep It Clean" one of the two most-covered songs of Charley Jordan, and deservedly so, for it is a sensational number.
I always wondered at the meaning of "hunkie tunkie" until reading or hearing an interview with J. D. Short, in which he made it clear that "hunkie tunkie" or "hunky tunk" is a variant of what is normally referred to in Rock-A-Billy or Country songs as a honky-tonk. Because of the rhythmic treatment in the accompaniment, the phrasing of "Hunkie Tunkie Blues" is unusual. I could use some help with the word enclosed in the bent brackets in the next-to-last verse.
https://youtu.be/A7oClf_s7Ac
SOLO
Says, I'm goin' up town, tell the Chief Police
My woman done quit me, I can't see no peace
She keep me worried, bothered all the time
'Cause she keep me worried, I'm bothered all the time
Says, I love you woman, love your husband, too,
I have to love your husband get to be with you, because
He don't allow no playin' around his house, because
He don't allow no playin' around his house
Says, my mama told me, my papa, too,
"Don't let no woman be the death of you."
'Cause she didn't all ow me to stay out all night long
Because she didn't allow me to stay out all night long
What you goin' to do when they tear your barrelhouse down?
Goin' to pack my suitcase, hunt some other town, now
Gwine to do when they tear your barrelhouse down?
Goin' to pack my suitcase, hunt some other town
SOLO
Well, it's everybody's talkin' about your hunkie tunkie blues
Everybody's talkin' about your hunkie tunkie blues
Well, it's everybody's talkin' about your modern hunkie tunkie blues
Well, it's everybody's talkin' about your hunkie tunkie baby
You ought to see that curly-headed monkey, hear?
Head is curly, baby, and bushy, too
'Cause his head is curly, babe, and bushy, too
SOLO
edited 10/2, to pick up correction from banjochris
All best,
Johnm
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John -- I always heard that bracketed word as "modern".
Chris
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Thanks, Chris, that's what I heard too, but thought I must be wrong! I'll make the change.
All best,
Johnm
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Charley Jordan recorded Memphis Fives accompanying himself on guitar with Lee Green on piano.
Memphis 5?s
1. Way down in Memphis corner Main and Beale
Way down in Memphis corner Main and Beale
Way down in Memphis corner Main and Beale
I met a girl they call Lucille
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
2. Lucille the girl I always crave to see
Lucille the girl I always crave to see
Lucille the girl I always crave to see
Way she shakes it, she alright with me
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
3. All her teeth crowned, crowned with gold x3
B?lieve she got good jelly in her bowl
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
4. That Frisco train makes a mile a minute
That Frisco train makes a mile a minute
That Frisco train makes a mile a minute
When she pull up in Memphis, she?ll be in it
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
5. Plain Jane fell down night ?fore last
Plain Jane fell down night ?fore last
Plain Jane fell down night ?fore last
[Come down] now break her yes yes yes
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
6. Just squeeze me mama, hold me tight
Just squeeze me mama, hold me tight
Just squeeze me mama, hold me tight
Cos we?re goin to do some nice work here tonight
B?lieve to my soul, I got those Memphis 5?s;
Memphis 5?s
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Charlie Jordan recorded Twee Twee Twa for Decca in Chicago on March 29, 1937. He was accompanied by piano and string bass. Blues & Gospel Records list the pianist as "prob. Peetie Wheatstraw", but the playing doesn't sound particularly like Peetie to me. The song features some great lyrics, with the second verse being particularly good, and the last verse falling into the "how did they ever let that out of the can?" category. It's hard to tell if "Twee Twee Twa" was a mishearing of "sweet sweet twat", or if Decca figured that if they bowlderized the title no one who mattered would notice the real words.
I'd appreciate help with or confirmation of the bracketed phrases.
https://youtu.be/jeUoG537no8
Twee Twee Twa
You left me last summer because you had a plenty of jack
You left me last summer because you had a plenty of jack
But since the weather have turned cold, you have come creeping back
Since you have come back home you say you ain't gonna leave no more
Since you have come back home you say you ain't gonna leave no more
But that's just a good line of jive, all you want is wintertime to go
So put some chicken on my table and put some butter on my bread
Put some chicken on my table and put some butter on my bread
Put a pillowslip on my pillow, and put a clean sheet on my bed
Now I'm going to give you some money, and pay your house rent too
I'm going to give you some money, gon' pay your house rent too
But if you ever let me catch you stealing, it will be too tight for you
Now she got these great big legs, and also big whoppin' thighs
She got these great big legs, and also big whoppin' thighs
She got somethin' in her sweet sweet twat will make a blind man open his eyes
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I think you've got the bracketed bits exactly right, dj.
Chris
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Thanks, Chris.
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Keep It Clean
Charley Jordan
I went to the river, couldn't get across
I jumped on your papa ?cause I thought he was a horse, now
Roll him over, give him a Coca-Cola
Lemon soda, saucer of ice cream
Takes soap and water for to keep it clean.
Up she jumped, down she fell
Her mouth flew open like a mussel shell, now
Your sister was a tabby, your daddy was a bear
Put a muzzle on your mama ?cause she had bad hair, now
If you want to hear that elephant laugh
Take him down to the river and wash his yas-yas-yas, now
If you want to go to heaven when you D-I-E
You got to put on your collar and your T-I-E, now
If you want to get the rabbits out of the L-O-G
You got to pull on the stump like a D-O-G, now
Run here doctor, run here fast
See what's the matter with his yas-yas-yas, now
has anyone else got a take without the elephant verse or the rabbit verse? it clocks in at 1.56, and I'm wondering if it's an edited version or if there was a different take.
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I've always sung "Dollop of ice cream" - now I know better...