Topic: Tommy McClennan Lyrics

[banjochris]

John, a few suggestions for the take you transcribed:

3.3 I love little LACEY BELLE, she doesn't know WHY I CAN'T TELL

4.3 You must've been out in Texas, if you had your HABITS ON

5.1 spoken part: Long time and a HEAP OF IT

In 3.3 it sounds like he reverts to Lacey Belle, which is the name in Sonny Boy's original.

[Johnm]

Thanks for the help, Chris.  I've made the changes.  I originally though the end of that one line was "If you had your hairpiece on", which was really a puzzler.  What do you think had your "habits on" means in this context, Western clothes?
All best,
Johnm

[Bunker Hill]

What do you think had your "habits on" means in this context, Western clothes?
All best,
Johnm

Could it perhaps be a reference to a religious habit as worn by Franciscan monks or an item similar?

[dj]

   Bluebird, bluebird, where in the world you been so long?
   You must've been out in Texas, if you had your habits on

I think the phrase just means "If you were acting as you normally do".  In this case, "having one's habits on" would be acting habitually.
 

[Johnm]

What you say makes good sense, dj, thanks for that.  I still sort of like the idea of a bluebird having his hairpiece on, though.
All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

In this context and every other song I've heard the expression in, I think it means being under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.
Chris

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I have never been able to figure out the first half of the first two lines of verse two of Tommy McClennan's "Mr. So And So".  I'm attaching an .mp3 of the song and would sure appreciate any help.

   Babe, I feel so worried, yes, and I feel so low
   Babe, I feel so worried, yes, and I feel so low
   'Cause I b'lieve you've been out with Mr. So-And-So

   Now baby, I'll write you left [change], please get out of my face
   Now I got you, I'll write you a, God, [change], please get out of my face
   'Cause I got myself a brand new woman, yeah, is going to take your place

   Ooooo babe, you know that sure ain't right
   Ooooo babe, you know that sure ain't right
   Stay off half of the day, you don't come home at all at night (Spoken: Play that some!)

   SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, heh!)
   Stay, you're gone part of the day and you know you don't come home at all at night (Spoken: Play it a little bit!)

   SOLO (Spoken: Yeah!  ah!)

All best,
Johnm

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Prof Scratchy]

Pretty impenetrable! But what I hear is either:
Now baby, all right you got a chance
Please get outta my face
Now, I guess you're right you got a chance
Please get outta my face
'Cause I got myself a brand new woman
Yeah, goin' to take yo' place

Or:
Now baby, all right you got change
Please get outta my face
Now, I guess you're right you got change
Please get outta my face
'Cause I got myself a brand new woman
Yeah, goin' to take yo' place

[Johnm]

Thanks so much, Allan, I think your first suggestion is spot on.  Boy, I was miles away on that one.  I will make the correction.  That line has been like a pebble in my shoe for a couple of years.  I will make the correction in the original post of the song's lyrics, at:  http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=3070.msg65380#msg65380
All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I was able to find links to videos of all of the songs transcribed in this thread.  Here's your chance to dive deep into Tommy McClennan's music.
All best,
Johnm

[eric]

I get a real kick out of Tommy McClennan's music. He's a strong singer and player, and his recordings have a tension that make it seem as if he's going to go off the rails any second, but he never does.  Thanks for reviving this thread, John.

[Johnm]

I'm glad you enjoy his  music, Eric!  I sure do, too.  He was such an exciting singer.  One of the things that baffles me about him is the way that some musicians spoke slightingly of his guitar playing.  I don't hear any problem with it--he had terrific heavy time and the deep backbeat that goes with that.  I think it's possible that some of the smoother blues singers and players were embarrassed by the earthiness of his music.
All best,
Johnm