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Author Topic: Pine Top Smith Lyrics--"I'm Sober Now", Pine Top's Boogie Woogie  (Read 7926 times)

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Online Johnm

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Hi all,
I recently heard this song (it's really more of a recitation) for the first time on the Yazoo CD, "Shake Your Wicked Knees".  It immediately struck me as being a very believable interaction between Pine Top Smith (PTS), who is playing piano at a rent party, and his biggest fan, (PBF), who is a bit of a trial.  It is all spoken word, though when Pine Top launches into the body of what he has to say, it is a separate song within the context of the whole.  The cut opens with Pine Top playing a Blues, and here is "I'm Sober Now":


   
   Pine Top's Biggest Fan:  Oh, play that thing, Mr. Piano Man!  Oh, whip that thing all night.  Say, lady, lady, bring me some of those chit'lin's over there, will you?  Put a little of that slaw on them.
   
   PBF, affecting a woman's voice:  Play it, Mr. Piano Man!
   
   PBF:  Say, say, say, move on there, what do you think this is here?!  Move on, move on.  What do you think here, dancing on a dime here?  Yes, whup that thing, boy!  Play it 'til it sweats, now.  Ah ha.  (Pine Top plays a beautiful Pop turn-around) Say, Pine Top, we don't want to hear that, what do you think this is?  We don't want to hear that sentimental stuff!

   Pine Top:  Yeah, that's what you been singin' 'round here the whole night long.  You don't want to hear that sentimental stuff.

   PBF:  Oh, play those Blues for me, that's all I want!

   PT:  Yeah, and hollerin' "Play the Blues!"  Y'all must think I'm a camel here, dontcha?  You ain't bought the first drink at night.  So I'm gonna get all of you told.

   Now, I don't mind playin' anytime that y'all can make me drunk,
   But Mr. Pine Top is sober now
   Now I been playin' the Blues 'round here for you the whole night long
   And y'all ain't bought the first jug somehow
   Now it's gettin' wintertime and I have to bide
   I need a little corn whiskey to kinda keep me warm inside
   So as I don't mind playin' any time that y'all can make me drunk
   But Mr. Pine Top is sober now

   I don't mind playin' anytime that y'all can make me drunk
   But Mr. Pine Top is sober now
   I say I been playin' the piano 'round here the whole night long
   And you ain't bought the first drink, somehow
   Now, if the house catch on fire and there ain't no water 'round
   Landlady, throw that gallon jug out the window, let the shack boin [sic] on down
   'Cause I don't mind playin' anytime that y'all can get me drunk
   But Mr. Pinetop is sober now

   PT:  Now, just to show you I can play the Blues, I'm gonna strike 'em again for you.

   PBF:  Hey, hey!  Now you're playin' for me, Mr. Pine Top!  Oh, just play that thing all night long.  Say, landlady, bring Mr. Pine Top just as much as he wants to drink, I'll pay for it.  Give him the whole jug, I don't mind it.  Play that thing now, boy!  Ah folks, that's tight like that now!  Oh, whip that thing, man, whip it 'til it sweats, Mr. Pine Top!  Now you're playin' for me, why, that's the way I'm built!  Ah ha.

All best,
Johnm
« Last Edit: July 02, 2020, 05:14:51 PM by Johnm »

Offline Bunker Hill

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Re: "I'm Sober Now" by Pine Top Smith
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2006, 11:23:20 AM »
It immediately struck me as being a very believable interaction between Pine Top Smith (PTS), who is playing piano at a rent party, and his biggest fan, (PBF), who is a bit of a trial. 
In one of the interviews conducted with Mayo Williams (can't recall which) he laid claim to being the other particpant. Am I correct in assuming the term PBF has been used as an identifier of the voices because I don't believe it was so designated in the ledgers or on the 78.

Apologies for appearing obtuse in this matter, I'm genuinely intrigued to know.

Online Johnm

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Re: "I'm Sober Now" by Pine Top Smith
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2006, 02:50:05 PM »
Hi Bunker Hill,
I was just abbreviating PBF for Pine Top's Biggest Fan.  I certainly don't know who played the part, but he did a great job. 
All best,
Johnm

Offline dj

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Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2008, 11:37:27 AM »
Clarence "Pine Top" Smith recorded "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" for Vocalion in Chicago on December 29, 1928.  The world almost didn't get to hear Smith, as he was killed by a stray bullet while playing at a dance less than three months later, on March 15th, 1929.

The record is notable for being the first appearance of the term "boogie woogie" on record, and for being one of the first appearances of what would become known as a boogie woogie bass.  Lots of pianists (and a few guitar players) have recorded versions of "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" through the years, but very few have copied Pine Top's words.  Here they are.  If anyone has any additions or corrections, I'd be happy to receive them.

I've transcribed the words from both takes.  They're pretty much the same, but there are two points of interest.  1) In take A, Pine Top calls the song "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", but in take B he calls it "Pine Top Trouble", an interesting name given that the lyrics are a set of dance instructions and the word "trouble" is never used.  (Though Pine Top recorded a "Pine Top Trouble" earlier in December which was never issued).  2)  In take A, Pine Top shouts "Hold it" or "Hold yourself" over a trill , then shouts "Stop" and plays a descending melodic line.  the two together are quite distinctive.  But on take B, Though Pine Top says "when I say 'Stop'...", but never actually says stop, though the "Hold it", trill, and descending melodic line are still there.  This would seem to be such a distinctive part of the piece that the difference, and the fact that the difference is consistent throughout the piece, is surprising.  Here is "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie, Take A":




  "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" (Take A)
 
  (Instrumental)

  I want all of you all to know this is Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
  I want everybody to dance 'em just like I tell you
  And when I say "Hold yourself" I want all of you to get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move
  And when I say "Get it", I want all of you all to do a boogie woogie
  Hold it now
  Stop
  Boogie woogie
  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Now when I say "Hold yourself" this time, I want all of you to get ready to stop
  When I've said "Stop", don't move a peg
  When I say "Get it", everybody mess around
  Hold yourself now
  Stop
  Mess around

  (Instrumental)

  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  Say little girl, you, standin' there with the red dress on 
  Back right up here at this piano where Mr. Pine Top is
  That's right, face the audience
  Now when I tell you to hold yourself, you get ready to stop, you hear?
  And when I've said "Stop", don't you move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", I want you to shake that thing
  Hold yourself now
  Stop
  Shake that thing
  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  Now I'm gon' pick this piano

  (Instrumental)
 


  "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" (Take B)  Here is "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie, Take B":


 
  (Instrumental)

  Now listen here all of you, this is my Pine Top Trouble
  I want everybody to dance 'em just like I tell you
  And when I say "Hold yourself" everybody get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", everybody do a boogie woogie
  Hold yourself now
  Boogie woogie
  Now That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Now when I say "Hold yourself" this time, y'all get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move
  When I says "Get it", everybody mess around
  Hold yourself
  Mess around
  Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Say little girl, you, standin' there with the red dress on 
  You come right up here where Mr. Pine Top is
  Now face the audience
  Now when I tell you to hold yourself, you get ready to stop
  And don't move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", I want you to shake that thing
  Hold yourself now
  Shake that thing
  That's what I'm talkin' about             
« Last Edit: July 02, 2020, 05:18:06 PM by Johnm »

Online Johnm

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2008, 03:16:17 PM »
Thanks very much for posting your transcriptions, dj.  I've only heard Take 1 of "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", and it is sensational.  Good work on getting "don't move a peg".  I never was able to figure that passage out before.  People interested in more lyrics from Pine Top Smith can find his "I'm Sober Now" elsewhere in the Country Blues Lyrics board, at:
   http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=60&topic=2208.0 .
All best,
Johnm

Offline dj

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2008, 04:28:55 PM »
Hi, John,

It's funny how different people have trouble with different phrases in a song.  For me, "don't move a peg" has always been crystal clear.  It's "face the audience" that took me hours of listening to hear.  That's the great thing about having a group of people to help with transcriptions.
 

Offline Prof Scratchy

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2008, 03:18:14 AM »
Pinetop's Boogie Woogie is one of those seminal tracks that shows up in the most unusual places. Covered by endless piano players, it also shows up in versions by Clifton Chenier, by various swing outfits in the 1940's, and there's even a version by Willie Nelson. I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?

Offline Bunker Hill

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2008, 04:44:30 AM »
I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?
I've a version of him doing it on the third vol. of I Blueskvarter Chicago 1964 but feel sure I have another rendition on something I've owned far longer than that CD.


Later edit: Silly me it's on the 1971 Snooks Legacy of the Blues LP...little grey cells ain't what they were.

« Last Edit: July 04, 2008, 04:56:14 AM by Bunker Hill »

Offline dj

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2008, 03:36:03 PM »
Almost nine years after Pine Top Smith recorded "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", Pinetop Burks recorded his version, retitled "Shake The Shack", on October 25, 1937 in San Antonio.  Julian Yarrow's notes to DOCD-5232, "San Antonio Blues 1937", mention no biographical details concerning Burks, and I assume none are known.  Burks plays piano and is accompanied on this track by unknown guitar and washboard players, referred to on the record as "Slim" and "Son".  It's a rocking version of the tune, with the washboard and guitar (strummed with a flatpick) really pushing the rhythm.  Lyrically, Burks starts out sticking fairly close to Pine Top Smith, but he soon diverges from that model and makes the song his own.  All words are spoken or sung by Pinetop Burks unless otherwise noted.  The last line is sung in harmony.  I'm not sure of the bracketed phrases, and would welcome any suggestions or corrections.

"Shake The Shack"

Slim, what you and Son gon' do?
Slim:  We're just standin' here lookin' at you
Let's shake the shack
Son:   [Why there be a law t'do that]

I want all you all to do just like I say
When I say "Stop", I mean stop
'n' when I say "Get it", I mean shake the shack
Hold yourself, now stop
Shake the shack
That's what I'm talkin' about

(Instrumental)

Son:  Why you standin there, boy?  [He gon' hear th'song]

(Instrumental)

Son:  Go up there like I like it now

Stick your right foot out
Take your right foot in
Shake yourself and then you begin
Shake the shack

(Instrumental)

Stick your left foot out
Take your left foot in
The way you shake it this time it's a low down sin
Shake the shack

(Instrumental)

The Law's on the corner lookin' 'round
We'd better shake the shack until it fall down
Let's shake the shack

Son:  [Why that'll be a Law nohow]

You all better get your hats and coats
'cause we ain't goin' hit another note
Son or Slim: That I know
Shake the shack
Son or Slim: Shake the shack
Shake the shack
Son or Slim: Shake the shack

All:  'cause we ain't gon' be here partner when the Law's come back   
« Last Edit: July 08, 2008, 03:37:07 PM by dj »

Offline uncle bud

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2008, 08:49:15 AM »
Pinetop's Boogie Woogie is one of those seminal tracks that shows up in the most unusual places. Covered by endless piano players, it also shows up in versions by Clifton Chenier, by various swing outfits in the 1940's, and there's even a version by Willie Nelson. I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?

And of course a guitar-only version by Willie McTell for his Atlantic sessions, on the Atlanta Twelve-String record.

Offline Prof Scratchy

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Re: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2008, 09:33:02 AM »
Indeed, Andrew - how could I forget that one!

Offline papa john pio

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Re: "I'm Sober Now" by Pine Top Smith
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2012, 05:09:27 AM »
Hi, this song is fascinating me too. I think your lyrics transcription is pretty fine, but hearing at them with my reliable "Transcribe!" at 25% speed, even if English is not my mother tongue, I guess I found out some little differences. I'll bracketed down here the guessed difference in the verses:

PT: Yeah, and hollerin' "Play the Blues!" Y'all must think I'm a camel (PT seems to add also "'round" before "here")here, dontcha? ...

...I need a little corn whiskey to kinda keep me warm inside
So as (well, I cleary hear "'Cause" instead of "So as", just like in the last verses of the song) I don't mind playin' any time that y'all can make me drunk..

I don't mind playin' anytime that y'all can make me drunk
But Mr. Pine Top is sober now
I say I (I can hear PT adding the verb "Have", actually "'ve", before "been") been playin' the piano 'round here the whole night long
And you ain't bought the first drink, somehow
Now, if the house catch on fire and there ain't no water 'round
Landlady, throw that gallon jug out the window, let the shack boin on down....(Ok, I'm sure you Johnn appreciated what the hell Pt want to mean, but "transcribe!" make me quite hear PT really saying "burn". At normal speed seems exactly something like "boin", but slowing down I can hear the "r" not the "i". )
I'm done with my two cents.
Bye.

Online Johnm

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Re: "I'm Sober Now" by Pine Top Smith
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2012, 07:54:18 AM »
papa john pio,
Congratulations on learning to operate the "Transcribe!" program.
All best,
Johnm (not Johnn)

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