Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, as they were usually known (though they often numbered more) were quite popular during the Forties. They combined entertainment with musicianship. Louis was the creator of a number of classics such as "Pistol Packin' Mama", "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie", his signature tune "Caldonia (What Makes Your Big Head So Hard)" and so on. On this page are a number of topical blues that Jordan recorded during and after World War Two.
This page contains lyrics to the following song(s):
This can be found on the CD: "Five Guys Named Moe: The Best of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five". It was originally issued on a 1944 V-disc (specially for the armed forces). The song is announced by Carmen Cavellero.
[Carmen:] This is Carmen Cavellero. Now Louis and the boys dish up something which probably won't take up as much time as the title which is - and boy this is really a title - quote: "My feet are killing me marching in the Infantry Blues" unquote... [Louis:] I got those "gee my feet are killin' me, since I'm in the infantry" blues I got those "gee my feet are killin' me, since I'm in the infantry" blues I walked so doggone much, I can't get my poor feet out of my shoes I got those "roll two blankets in my pack, don't know when I'm comin' back" blues I got those "roll two blankets in my pack, don't know when I'm comin' back" blues The blankets ain't so tough, but what gets me is that extra pair shoes I gotta hike ev'ry mornin' Hike ev'ry night Come back on the weekend Go out and see the sights Yes yes But I can't help it I guess I gotta take it like a soldier 'Cause I got those infantry blues
(Louis Jordan - Bud Allen) recorded in 1946 in New York.
There's a whole lot of talk around town, about the way you carryin' yourself There's a whole lot of talk around town, about the way you carryin' yourself You're jivin' everybody in town, but baby, I know what you're puttin' down Everybody's tryin' to dig you baby, everybody but me Everybody's tryin' to dig you, everybody but me You're foolin' everybody in town, but baby, I know what you're puttin' down You went out last night, to a dinner, a show and a dance Ooh you went out last night, to a dinner, a show and a dance You must have been a perfect clown, but baby, I know what you're puttin' down You got a ramblin' mind, just don't wanna stay at home Yes baby you got a ramblin' mind, you just don't wanna stay at home You tell me you're visitin' all your relatives in town, but baby, I know what you're puttin' down You came home last night with a new hat, new dress, and a new pair o' shoes Yes you came home at eight o'clock last night with a new hat, a new dress, and a new pair o'shoes You ain't working nowhere in town, so baby, I know what you're puttin' down.
This song was found a CD in the series of World War Two Songs on the PMF label (Peter's Music Factory).
Ration Blues (Clark/Casey/Jordan) Baby baby baby, what's wrong with Uncle Sam? He's cut down on my sugar, now he's messin' with my ham I got the ration blues, blue as I can be Oh me, I've got those ration blues I got to live on fourty ounces, of any kind of meat Those fourty little ounces gotta last me all the week I got to cut down on my jelly It takes sugar to make it sweet I'm gonna steal all your jelly baby And rob you of your meat I got the ration blues, blue as I can be Oh me, I've got those ration blues I like to wake up in the morning with my jelly by my side Since rationing started baby, you just take your stuff and hide They reduced my meat and sugar And rubber's disappearing fast You can't ride no more with poppa 'Cause Uncle Sam wants my gas I got the ration blues, blue as I can be Oh me, I've got those ration blues
This is from a radio broadcast in October 1945. It can also be found on the CD: "Five Guys Named Moe: The Best of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five"
RECONVERSION BLUES (Steve Graham [pseudonym for Michael H. Goldsen] & Fleecie Moore) I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues Can't wait to buy a new automobile And a pair of two-tone shoes I can walk right past my draft board And I won't get no dirty looks I can go down to the grocer Without takin' my ration books I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues I can drive in a gas station And get most anything I choose I forgot the taste of bacon Butter and whipped cream cake At night I wake up screamin': "Bring me a nice fat juicy steak!" I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues I'm gonna buy my baby nylons, All the nylons she can use No more fish on Tuesdays, I get plenty meat in my stews There's plenty of cigarettes and chewing gum and nuts and bolts and screws I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues If someone say "for the duration" Brother, I'm gonna blow my fuse I'm gonna reconvert my baby With a house and a diamond ring We're gonna lock our door this winter And we won't come out till spring I got those re-hee-hee, reconversion blues I'm gonna buy a brand new radio That don't know how to get the latest news
Written by Ben Lorre, Jeff Dane, and Louis Jordan; recorded with his Tympany Five in 1947.
Left Chicago in the summer, New York in the fall, Detroit in the winter didn't prove a thing at all I got those roamin' blues Yes I got those roamin' blues Can't find no place to settle Woo I got those roamin' blues Joined a club in old Saint Louis, that G.I. free loot club Stood in line so long man, wore my legs down to a nub I hit the road again Yes I hit the road again Can't find no place to settle So I hit the road again I thought I'd made it Jack in good old Albuquerq' I was on the wrong track, you know they tried to make me work - ain't that a killer? I hit the road right quick Yes that judge was much too slick Can't find no place to settle Woo I hit the road right quick Then Las Vegas was the next stop, that fast town left me weak The dice man made twelve passes and I was up the well-known creek Those gamblers put me down Yes I had to walk right out of town Mm-mm, that ain't no place to settle Mmm, I had to walk right out of town Ah but I hit the greatest town of all, Frantic Frisco Got me a gal with plenty gold and she just won't let me go I think I've found a place Yes I got my boots all laced Found me a home, don't have to roam, it's good news, I've lost those roamin' blues
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