Topic: Clara Smith - It's Tight Like That Lyrics

[ninodusty]

Hi guys,

I need help with the lyrics of this song.

Beyond the "correctness" of the lyrics, I would like to know what you think about some little things:

1: "Tight like that": According to Stephen Calt's book Barrelhouse Words, "Although the term had no express sexual connotations, it would be misconstructed as a reference to 'tight pussy' by record consumers such as Henry Hill, probably on the basis of the adjacent phrase beedle um bum" - (Calt is talking here about "Tight Like That" by Tampa Red and Georgia Tom). In fact, in the second verse "tight like that" sounds more like a refrain or a catch-phrase, rather than something that refers specifically to the text. What do you think?

2. "Coonjines": I put this word in the third chorus because it was the only one I could think of. According to the Calt's book I've already mentioned, the "Coonjine" was a black dance of the late XIX - early XX century. My guess is that the right word in this case would be some sort of variant of "coon", by I can't name any. Ideas?

So, here's my take on the lyrics - I put in ?underlined bold between question marks? the parts I'm unsure of.



Clara Smith - It's Tight Like That

Listen here, folks, I'm gonna sing a little song,
But you mustn't get mad, I don't mean no wrong.
There's an old maid name is Liza ?Beck?
Always singin' the blues when she tumbles in bed.

Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's tight like that
Hear me talkin' to you
I mean it's tight like that

I know a hotel that's called the ?Cumberland Patch?
Got a million bedbugs just to make you scratch
Monkey woke up a quarter to three
And he said to the flea, "Quit your pickin' on me."

Oh, it's tight like that.
Oh, it's tight like that.
Ah, hear me talkin' to you.
I mean, it's tight like that.

Mandy Lee Jones got to ?rappin'? at night
And she never gets home till it's comin' daylight
Old Uncle Bill came 'bout half-past ten
Put the key in the hole, but he couldn't get in

He says: "It's tight like that
What's the matter with it, gettin' tight like that?
Oh, hear me call you, ?Coonjines?
I mean it's tight like that."

If you see my man, tell him to hurry home
I ain't had no bread since he's been gone
I love a man slender and slim
When he struts his stuff, why, it's too bad, ?Jim?

Oh, it's tight like that.
Oh, it's tight like that.
Ah, hear me talkin' to you.
I mean it's tight like that.

Oh, the little red rooster said to the hen:
"You ain't laid a egg in I can't tell when."
The little red hen said to the rooster:
"You don't come around as often as you used to.

Now it's tight like that. A long delay
Makes it tight like that - Hear what I say
Hear me talkin' to you.
I mean it's tight like that."

[Johnm]

Hi ninodusty,
I think the name of the hotel is the "Slumberland Patch".  I can't hear the "coonjines" line at all, and can't help there.  I think you have all of the other places right.
all best,
Johnm

[TenBrook]

ninodusty,
Where you have Coonjines I hear her saying "ah here me call ya to you", as if she meant to say "ah here me callin to you" but flubbed the line.

Also I believe she's saying that "Mandy Lee Jones does her vampin at night"

Lew

[ninodusty]

Thanks Johnm and TenBrook,
the song makes much more sense to me with your suggestions! I'll re-write the text incorporating your corrections (I will wait some days, just in case other suggestions pop up).

Thanks

Dusty

[Nonmouse]

I'm not so sure about that "no express sexual connotations," considering some of the lyrics in other versions.  (Or maybe I just listened to to much Cheap Trick back in the day.)


As recorded by McKINNEY'S COTTON PICKERS,
vocals by George Thomas and Dave Wilborn, 23rd November 1928:

Listen here, folks, I'm gonna sing a little song
Don't get mad, I don't mean no wrong
You know, it's tight like that
Aw, it's tight like that
You hear me talkin' to you
I mean, it's tight like that

If you see my gal, tell her to hurry home
I ain't had no sleep since she's been gone
You know, it's tight like that
I mean it's tight like that
You hear me talkin' to you
I mean, it's tight like that

Uncle Bill came home 'bout half past ten
Couldn't find the key so he couldn't get in
Aw, it's tight like that
I mean, it's tight like that
You hear me talkin' to you
I mean, it's tight like that

Tight like that
Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's ready like that
Oh, it's tight like that


********************


As recorded by ZACK WHITE'S BEAU BRUMMELS, 26th February, 1929:

Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's tight like what
Oh, it's tight like this

Now, look a-here, folks, I wanta sing a little song
I hope you don't get mad, for I don't mean no wrong
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir!
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir, mmmm
'Cause it's tight like that

When you see a spider goin' up the wall
He's goin' up there to get his ashes hauled
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir!
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir, mmmm
'Cause it's tight like that

(Instrumental Break)

Gonna roll my britches up above my knees
Gonna strut my stuff with whoever I please
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir!
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir, mmmm
'Cause it's tight like that

(Instrumental Break)

My baby says she likes her lovin' done
Early in the mornin' before the rising sun
'Cause it's tight like that
Yes, sir!
'Cause it's tight like that!
Yes, sir, mmmm
'Cause it's tight like that


********************


As recorded by CLARA SMITH:

Listen here, folks, I'm gonna sing a little song
But you mustn't get mad, I don't mean no wrong
There's an old maide, name of Liza Fair
Always singin' the blues when she tumbles in bed
Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's tight like that
You hear me talkin' to you
I mean it's tight like that

I know an hotel, it's called the Slumberin' Patch
Got a million bed bugs just to make you scratch
Monkey woke up a quarter-to-three
And he said to the flea, "Quit your pickin' on me"
Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's tight like that
Ah, hear me talkin' to you
I mean it's tight like that

(Instrumental Break)

Mandy-Lee Jones got to vampin' at night
And she never gets home till it's comin' daylight
Old Uncle Bill came by at half-past-ten
Put the key in the hole, but he couldn't get in
He said, It's tight like that
What's the matter with it gettin' tight like that
Ah, hear me ??
I mean it's tight like that

If you see my man, tell him to hurry home
I ain't had no bread since he's been gone
Another man, slender and slim
When he struts his stuff, why, too bad, Jim
Oh, it's tight like that
Oh, it's tight like that
Ah, hear me talkin' to you
I mean it's tight like that

(Instrumental Break)

Ah, the little red rooster said to the hen
You ain't laid a egg in I can't tell when
The little red hen said to the rooster
You don't come around as often as ya used ta
Now it's tight like that
A long delay makes it tight like that
Hear what I say, hear me talkin' to you
I mean it's tight like that


http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/i/itstightlikethat.shtml