Topic: Johnny Jones Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Big Town Playboy


Johnny Jones – Vocals, Piano
Muddy Waters – Guitar
Leroy Foster – Guitar
Possibly Elgin Evans – Drums

Chicago, Illinois
September, 1949

Piano in A





My baby told me last night to find yourself a job
I told her Chicago was okay but these times was too doggone hard
She say you're too lazy it's one thing my baby don't enjoy
I told her everything is okay baby but I ain’t nothin’ but a big town playboy

She say you walk the streets all day you won't come home at night
Now you know little Johnny that you ain’t treatin’ me right
'Cause you're too lazy it's one thing my baby don't enjoy
She say everything is okay little Johnny but you ain’t nothin’ but a big town playboy

She say you go shop everyday that's one thing the people can't understand
Now if you don't get yourself a job John I'm gonna get me a brand new man
'Cause you're too lazy it's one thing my baby don't enjoy
She say everything is okay little Johnny you ain’t nothin’ but a big town playboy

[Blues Vintage]

Shelby County Blues


Johnny Jones – Vocals, Piano
Muddy Waters – Guitar
Leroy Foster – Guitar
Possibly Elgin Evans – Drums

Chicago, Illinois
September, 1949

Piano in E





My home in Shelby County that’s where I ‘long to be
My home in Shelby County that’s where I ‘long to be
I got womens down there mean the world and all to me

You take my Shelby County women and stand them all in a line
You take my Shelby County women and stand them all in a line
You can count them out one two three four five six seven eight nine

I got a gal on my gal I got a kid gal on my doggone kid
I got a gal on my gal I got a kid gal on my doggone kid
Sometime that gal get so buggish she can hardly keep it hid

[Thomas8]

I believe it's that gal get so "buggish" for Shelby County. I haven't got a clue what any of that third verse means. But it sounds good!

[Johnm]

I believe the way "buggish" is usually used is to suggest that the "buggish" person is sexually aroused to the point of indiscretion, and lewd or embarrassing behavior.

[banjochris]

I believe it's that gal get so "buggish" for Shelby County. I haven't got a clue what any of that third verse means. But it sounds good!

In addition to what John said about "buggish," that third verse means that he has a LOT of women – a girlfriend plus a girlfriend, and a "kid gal" or girl on the side and another girl on the side.
Chris

[Thomas8]

 a girlfriend plus a girlfriend, and a "kid gal" or girl on the side and another girl on the side.
Chris

Cor that would be quite the administrative nightmare!

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks all. "Kid Man Blues" by Big Maceo has a similar verse.

Possible drummer Elga Edmonds (birth name) is Elgin Evans.  That might ring a bell to some of you out there.

[Blues Vintage]

Doin' The Best I Can


Johnny Jones – Vocals, Piano
J.T. Brown - Saxophone
Elmore James - Guitar
Ransom Knowling - Bass
Odie Payne - Drums

October or November 9, 1953
Chicago, Illinois


Piano in Eb





I been up the line I been up the line
I can’t find nothin’ to pacify my mind
But here I am a hard working man and I'm doin’ the best I can

The call me little Johnny the lucky man
I wish someone would give me a lucky hand
But here I am a hard working man and I'm doin’ the best I can

I’m gon’ leave you baby and you know just so
‘Cause you know you foolin’ ‘round with mister so-and-so
But here I am a hard working man and I'm doin’ the best I can

So bye bye baby I’m leavin’ you now
‘Cause I know you don’t mean little Johnny no good nohow
But here I am a hard working man and I'm doin’ the best I can

[Blues Vintage]

Dirty By The Dozen (Sweet Little Woman)


Johnny Jones – Vocals, Piano
J.T. Brown - Saxophone
Elmore James - Guitar
Possibly Ransom Knowling - Bass
Odie Payne - Drums

October 1953
Chicago, Illinois

Piano in G





I got something to tell you babe I know you can’t do
You can’t love me and love my buddies too
When you love’em baby you got to love’em right
Love’em everday babe and love’em every night
But she’s a sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman I ain’t gon’ tell you no lie

When a man get hairy you know he needs a shave
When a woman get musty you know she needs a bathe
But she’s a sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman don’t you know
She’s a sweet little woman I ain’t gon’ tell you no lie

Squeeze me squeeze me baby and don’t let me fall
Put my mule a kicking in your stall
But she’s a sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman I ain’t gon’ tell you no lie

I like you mama but she won’t do this
I hit her ‘cross the head with my great big fist
Clock on the shelf singing tick tick tick
Your mama in the corner doin’ I don’t know which
Four five six seven eight nine ten
I like your mama she got too many mens
Ashes to ashes you know and sand to sand
Everytime I see her she got a brand new man
But she’s a sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman don’t you know
Sweet little woman I ain’t gon’ tell you no lie