Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Tiger Rag
Louis Armstrong Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger
Hold that tiger

Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?
Where's that tiger?

Overall Meaning

Louis Armstrong's song "Tiger Rag" is a classic example of New Orleans Jazz, a genre that involves a group of musicians improvising together to create a lively and energetic sound. The lyrics of the song are simple and repetitive, but they add to the overall energy and excitement of the piece. The repetition of "Hold that tiger" and "Where's that tiger" gives the impression that the musicians are chasing after something elusive, something that they must capture and hold onto before it disappears.


In a way, the lyrics are a metaphor for the improvisational nature of jazz music itself. Just as the musicians must capture the fleeting melodies and harmonies that arise during a performance, they must also hold onto the energy and momentum of the music before it fades away. The repeated phrases become a sort of call-and-response between the musicians and their audience, building up to a thrilling climax as everyone joins in on the chorus.


Line by Line Meaning

Hold that tiger
Keep the rhythm and excitement going


Where's that tiger?
Where is the source of the energy and excitement we are feeling?




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Sbarro, Edwin Edwards, Henry Ragas, Larry Shields, Sidney Bechet

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

@malachidavis9952

Lost my father at the beginning of the month. And I’ll never forget the first time he played this for me. Said it made him not fear death, he could see himself marching to heaven’s gates while this was playing. March on King I love and miss you 🙏🏽💚🕊️

@Official_Mammoth421

This is a certified hood classic

@Itried20takennames

Hah…just came here from a YT channel reading a young Nazi German tank driver memoir of his retreat out of France, and he noted that he really liked Tiger Rag and In The Mood, which “spoke to him” and which they weren’t allowed listen to in Germany itself, but still played at some Vichy French bars.

So seems like the appeal was pretty widespread.

@UKCheeseFarmer

@@Itried20takennames Read the same book (although this time listened to it on YouTube) and searched for rag jazz 1944 Germany and ended up here! Not all soldiers or tank men were Nazis!! Very few of them actually were. They were simply conscripted men or volunteers. He speaks about his distaste for the Nazi Party. A line needs to be drawn under this. Sorry just had to say, no disrespect. It is important.

@peterashford7855

and after 82 years, how fresh does this sound? fantastic!!!

@krumpelschtiltzkeen

I like how he doesn't even bother trying to play fast.

@mustafahamed1946

Who's still listening in 1940 ?

@jibsmokestack1

peter lederbauer what are you talking about? Louis was already a living legend at this point and one of the biggest names in show business! Jazz was the music at the time and Louis was it’s god!

@WillBravoNotEvil

jibsmokestack1 WHOOSH!

@laurac5451

Do you have a time machine?

More Comments

More Versions