Joseph Amos Milburn, Jr., one of thirteen children, was playing tunes on the piano by the age of five years. He enlisted in the United States Navy when he was fifteen and earned thirteen battle stars in the Philippines, before returning to Houston and organizing a sixteen-piece band playing in Houston clubs and was Managed by William & Geneva Church. Milburn participated with the Houston jazz and blues musicians. He was a polished pianist and performer and during 1946 attracted the attention of a woman who arranged a recording session with Aladdin Records in Los Angeles, California. Milburn's relationship with Aladdin lasted eight years during which he produced more than 75 sides. His cover version of "Down the Road a Piece" (1946) was a blues song with a Texas boogie beat that was similar in many respects to rock music. However, none became popular until 1949 when seven of his singles got the attention of the R&B audience. "Hold Me Baby" and "Chicken Shack Boogie" landed numbers eight and nine on Billboard's survey of 1949's R&B Bestsellers. He became one of the main performers associated with the Central Avenue music scene in Los Angeles. He was also a popular touring artist, and won awards from both Down Beat magazine (Best Blues and Jazz Star) and Billboard magazine (Top R&B Artist). Among his best-known songs was "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer". During 1950 Milburn's "Bad, Bad, Whiskey" scored the top of the R&B record chart and began a series of drinking songs (none written by Milburn, but several composed by Rudy Toombs). However, there is not any evidence that Milburn had an alcohol problem.
Milburn continued his successful drinking songs through 1952 ("Thinking and Drinking", "Trouble in Mind") and was by now touring the country playing clubs. While touring the Midwest that summer, he announced that he would disband his combo team and continue as a solo act and that autumn he joined Charles Brown for a Southern concert tour. For the next few years each of his tours was composed of a series of one-nighters. After three years of solo performing he returned to Houston during 1956 to reform his band. During 1957 Milburn's releases with Aladdin Records did not sell well, and the record label, having its own problems, terminated. He tried to regain commercial success with a few more releases with Ace Records but his time had passed. Radio airplay was emphasizing on the teenage market.
Milburn contributed to the R&B Yuletide canon twice. The first was in 1949, with "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby", on Aladdin Records, and then again during 1960 with "Christmas (Comes but Once a Year)" for King Records. The song appeared as the b-side of Brown's holiday classic "Please Come Home for Christmas".
Milburn's final recording was for an album by Johnny Otis. This was during 1972 after he had been incapacitated by a stroke, so much so that Otis had to play the left-hand piano parts for his enfeebled old friend. His second stroke resulted in amputation of a leg because of circulatory problems. He died soon after at the age of 52 years from a third stroke.
The Texan boogie-woogie pianist and singer was an important performer of blues music during the years immediately after World War II. Milburn was one of the first performers to switch from sophisticated jazz arrangements to a louder "jump" blues. He began to emphasize rhythm and technical qualities of voice and instrumentation second. His energetic songs, about getting "high", were admired by fellow musicians, such as Little Willie Littlefield, Floyd Dixon and his prime disciple, Fats Domino.
He was a commercial success for eleven years and influenced many performers. Fats Domino credited Milburn consistently as an influence on his music.
One commentator noted, "Milburn excelled at good-natured, upbeat romps about booze and partying, imbued with a vibrant sense of humour and double entendre, as well as vivid, down-home imagery in his lyrics."
Chicken Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm looking for that place they call the Chicken Shack
They say it's fine as wine
And it's really all a ball
No windows no doors
It's just a hole in the wall
Did you say it was located down by the creek
All good portions of chicken once more is a cinch
You can even get the last part that went over the fence
There's a place where the lights coming through the wall
You'd better be mighty careful, let's have a ball
Come on all you cats and take a drink from my pack
'Cause the party's ready to start down at the chicken shack
The song "Chicken Shack Boogie" by Amos Milburn is an upbeat tune that tells the story of someone who is looking for a place called the Chicken Shack. The song's protagonist is asking a cat for directions to this elusive hangout spot, where they say the atmosphere is fun and the food is delicious. The place itself is described as a hole in the wall with no windows or doors. However, there is enough light coming through the wall to create a party atmosphere. The singer invites all the "cats" to come and join in on the fun while taking a drink from their pack.
The Chicken Shack can be interpreted as a metaphor for a dive bar, especially since it is described as a dark and confined space. This interpretation is further solidified by the lyrics "no windows no doors." Overall, the song can be viewed as a celebration of nightlife and the camaraderie that comes with it. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of inhibitions and just having a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello cat I just got back
The singer has returned and is greeting a friend or acquaintance.
I'm looking for that place they call the Chicken Shack
The singer has heard of a specific location called the Chicken Shack and is seeking it out.
They say it's fine as wine
The Chicken Shack is rumored to be an enjoyable place to visit.
And it's really all a ball
The Chicken Shack is a fun place to be.
No windows no doors
The Chicken Shack is a simple and unassuming building.
It's just a hole in the wall
The Chicken Shack is a small and humble establishment.
Did you say it was located down by the creek
The singer is confirming the location of the Chicken Shack with their friend or acquaintance.
Where you can get a whole gob of good things to eat
The Chicken Shack is known for having a variety of delicious food.
All good portions of chicken once more is a cinch
Chicken is a popular menu item at the Chicken Shack and it always tastes good.
You can even get the last part that went over the fence
Even the less desirable parts of the chicken can be found at the Chicken Shack.
There's a place where the lights coming through the wall
A hole in the wall of the Chicken Shack allows light to enter the building.
You'd better be mighty careful, let's have a ball
The artist is warning their friend or acquaintance to be cautious at the Chicken Shack, but still encourages them to join in the fun.
Come on all you cats and take a drink from my pack
The singer is inviting everyone to share in their refreshments.
'Cause the party's ready to start down at the chicken shack
The Chicken Shack is a place for celebration and enjoyment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AMOS MILBURN, LOLA CULLUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rtrepsas
“Chicken Shack Boogie" is a 1948 jump-boogie song by the West Coast blues artist Amos Milburn. It was the first of four number-one hits on the R&B chart by Milburn. It was the B-side of a 78-RPM single, the A-side of which, "It Took a Long, Long Time", reached number nine on the same chart.
Quick Facts Single by Amos Milburn, B-side ...
In 1956, Milburn released "Chicken Shack", a faster rock-and-roll version (subsequently included on his 1957 album Let's Have a Party). This version runs about 2:30 and is sometimes titled "Chicken Shack Boogie" on later compilation albums. Earl Palmer was the drummer on this version.” From Wikipedia
@BigMickRocks
It may just be the best Rock and Roll song ever....Rock on Amos!
@Elvislover1978
What a rockin' song! Doesn't get any better than this. I can picture people lindy hopping to this one.
@briankread
From the year I was born...used to see my folks roll up the rug and dance to this kind of boogie all the time!
@booieandpianobob
Brilliant- Amos was one of the Greats.
@boz6114
Some call it rythmn and blues...some call it rock n roll but this is a hit under any name......love it....gets your feet tappin....
@marklemon9446
I've always loved this! ; I call it solid gone man ❤️👍
@gusiyouvid3110
THE BEST RnB recording ever made bar NONE
@nnstoelting3565
this music NEVER gets old
@colindominy
Early 50s rock n roll don't get any better than this !! Sizzling boogie .. how can one possibly stand still while this one is on the turntable .. you just gotta get up & jive & shake your stuff, all over ... the further this song progresses, the better it gets ... hot-damn !!