What'd I Say
Aaron Neville Dr. John John Mayer John Scofield Mavis Staples & Warren Haynes Lyrics
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Come and love me all night long
Oh oh, hey hey
All right now
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to twist that thing
Oh oh, hey hey
Tell your mama, tell your pa
I'm gonna ship you back to Arkansas
Oh yes, you don't do right
You don't do right
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say
Yes, I wanna know
I wanna know
Baby, I wanna know right now
Yes, I wanna know
Honey, I wanna know
Yes, I wanna know
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey ho ho hey
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Sing me one more time
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey
Ho ho
Hey hey ho ho hey
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Make me feel so good
Huh huh
Ho ho
Huh huh
Ho ho
Huh huh ho ho huh
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right right now
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Baby, it's all right
Come on, twist that thing
Come on, twist that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Keep a twistin' that thing
Make me feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
Well, I feel all right
The lyrics of the song "What'd I Say" by Aaron Neville Dr. John John Mayer John Scofield Mavis Staples & Warren Haynes, revolves around the rhythm and blues musical style that was prevalent in the 1950s. The lyrics are a call and response between the singer and the audience, encouraging them to dance and have a good time. The opening line of the song, "Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong" is an invitation to the audience to dance and enjoy the music. The lyrics then continue with the singer describing a girl with a diamond ring who knows how to dance, and an admonition to "do right" and not misbehave. The chorus of the song then shifts to "tell me what'd I say," repeated several times as if to encourage the audience to respond and keep the party going.
The lyrics of the song are simple and repetitive, but the rhythm and melody are what make it a classic. The repeated call-and-response between the singer and audience creates an atmosphere of excitement and joy, which is what the song is all about. It's a celebration of music and dance, and a reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life, like a good beat and a catchy melody, are all we need to feel happy and alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
Addressing his lover, the singer asks her not to mistreat him
Come and love me all night long
Inviting his lover to show him affection all throughout the night
Oh oh, hey hey
Interjections expressing excitement and enthusiasm
All right now
Expression used to emphasize that everything is just fine now
See the girl with the diamond ring
Noticing a girl with a diamond ring
She knows how to twist that thing
The girl has good dancing skills and knows how to seduce the singer
Tell your mama, tell your pa
Asking someone to notify his/her parents
I'm gonna ship you back to Arkansas
The singer threatens to send his lover back to their hometown if they don't behave properly
Oh yes, you don't do right
Pointing out that the lover is not doing the right thing
Tell me what'd I say
Singer demanding to know what he said or did to deserve such behavior
Yes, I wanna know
Reiteration of the singer's desire to know what he said or did
Baby, I wanna know right now
The singer wants to know immediately
Hey hey
Interjection expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Ho ho
Interjection used to express surprise, excitement, or delight
Sing me one more time
Requesting someone to sing the song again
Make me feel so good
Asking for pleasure and enjoyment
Huh huh
Interjection expressing laughter or amusement
Baby, it's all right
Assuring the lover that everything is okay
Come on, twist that thing
Encouraging the lover to dance seductively
Keep a twistin' that thing
Asking the lover to keep dancing seductively
Well, I feel all right
Expressing contentment and satisfaction
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind