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."
Vicious Vicious Vodka
Amos Milburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, you dirty rat.
Got me on this corner,
And I don′t know where I'm at.
Supposed to meet my baby,
I′m twenty minutes late.
You got my head all twisted,
And I just can't get it straight
Oh, you dirty rat.
Got me on this corner,
And I don't know where I′m at.
I had a chance to swap you
For a little gin.
Now when my baby sees me,
She′s gonna bust my head right in.
Vicious, vicious vodka
Oh, you dirty rat.
Got me on this corner
And I don't know where I′m at.
(Sax solo)
Oh, my head is achin'
And my feet are sore.
You good for nothin′ bottle,
You ain't my friend no more.
Vicious, vicious vodka,
Oh, you dirty rat.
Got me on this corner,
And I don′t know where I'm at.
Vicious, vicious vodka
Vicious, vicious vodka
Vicious, vicious vodka
Vicious, vicious vodka
The song "Vicious Vicious Vodka" by Amos Milburn is a depiction of how the consumption of alcohol can lead one to feeling lost and confused. The use of the phrase "vicious vodka" implies a vicious and harmful relationship with alcohol, which is further emphasized by the comparison to a dirty rat. The singer is stuck on a corner, disoriented and late to meet his lover, due to the effects of the drink. He regrets not choosing to drink gin instead, as he knows the consequences of his choice.
The repetition of "vicious vodka" throughout the song not only reinforces the message of the detrimental effects of alcohol but also serves as a catchy chorus that can be easily remembered. The saxophone solo in the middle of the song adds to the mood of confusion and disorientation that the singer is experiencing.
Additionally, the line "You good for nothin′ bottle, you ain't my friend no more" reflects the realization that alcohol is not a friend or solution to any problems, but rather a source of confusion and trouble.
Line by Line Meaning
Vicious, vicious vodka,
Alcoholic drink, you are harmful and dangerous, causing much trouble and turmoil.
Oh, you dirty rat.
You are deceitful and untrustworthy, causing me great distress.
Got me on this corner,
I am stuck here, feeling lost and unsure of my whereabouts, all because of you.
And I don't know where I'm at.
I am confused and disoriented because of the effects you have on me.
Supposed to meet my baby,
I had plans to rendezvous with my significant other.
I'm twenty minutes late.
I am running behind schedule and my significant other is likely displeased.
You got my head all twisted,
You have caused me to be mentally confused and disoriented.
And I just can't get it straight
I am unable to focus properly because of the effects you have on me.
I had a chance to swap you
I was presented with the opportunity to exchange you for another type of alcoholic drink.
For a little gin.
I could have traded you for a less harmful alcoholic beverage.
Now when my baby sees me,
My significant other will have a negative reaction when they see me because of my lateness and incoherence.
She's gonna bust my head right in.
My significant other is going to be extremely angry with me and possibly cause physical harm.
(Sax solo)
An instrumental break in the song featuring a saxophone.
Oh, my head is achin'
I am experiencing severe pain in my head.
And my feet are sore.
I am in physical discomfort, likely due to the effects of alcohol and excessive movement.
You good for nothin' bottle,
You are a useless and harmful container for your contents.
You ain't my friend no more.
I no longer view you as a companion or ally.
Vicious, vicious vodka,
Repeated chorus emphasizing the harmful and dangerous nature of the alcoholic drink.
Vicious, vicious vodka
Repeated chorus emphasizing the harmful and dangerous nature of the alcoholic drink.
Vicious, vicious vodka
Repeated chorus emphasizing the harmful and dangerous nature of the alcoholic drink.
Vicious, vicious vodka
Repeated chorus emphasizing the harmful and dangerous nature of the alcoholic drink.
Writer(s): Amos Milburn
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@johnfisher7599
I remember hearing my Mom listening to this on Hunter Hancock on KGFJ in Los Angeles--when she wanted me to take a nap. I couldn't sleep listening to those rhythm and blues.
@DebbieJeansThisAndThat
I had this 45 record when I was a kid in the early 70's. Loved it, wonder why I grew to love vodka drinks.
@bassmule
Got me on this corner, and I don't where I'm at.
@BPJT666
Amos is a joy!!!
@Toopeification
...Cooking issues! Yeeaaah
@alain59200
TOP TRACK
@divingduck1970
A drinking song about vodka at last!
@CAP416
Nobody makes songs about vodka. This must have been a bad night.
@59cadcoupe
Dynamite groove,,,,
@lelamckoy6619
Love it