Maye was also a well known Major League Baseball player. He played eleven seasons in the majors as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves (1959–1965), Houston Astros (1965–1966), Cleveland Indians (1967–1969), Washington Senators (1969–1970), and Chicago White Sox (1970–1971).
Maye sang in a tenor and falsetto. Music journalist and critic Phil Milstein called his singing "deft" and "authoritative.". Maye recorded on over a dozen labels to include Modern, Tower, Specialty, ABC-Paramount, and Buddha, and opened a Hollywood Bowl show featuring Jerry Butler, Billy Stewart, and Barbara Mason. Maye told Milstein, “I am the best singing athlete that ever lived. I am not bragging. It's just a fact.”
Early baseball and music careers
Arthur Lee Maye’s dual career began at Los Angeles, California’s Jefferson High school. Here he sang with Jesse Belvin and future members of the Platters, the Penguins, and the Coasters. Maye starred in baseball for both Jefferson High and local semi-pro teams. Milwaukee Braves scout Johnny Moore not only saw his potential as a hitter with line drive power but clocked him in the 100-yard dash at under 10-seconds. Moore convinced the Braves to draft and sign him. Arthur Lee Maye later explained, “Baseball was my first love. I could always sing at fifty, but I couldn’t play baseball at fifty.” He began his professional baseball career in 1954 with a Milwaukee Braves Pioneer League farm team in Boise, Idaho. At this time he also started his professional recording career. He joined with Richard Berry and recorded “The Fine One” b/w “Please Baby Please” as the Five Hearts on the Flair label (The company put the “5” in quotes as only three sang on the record). They next released “Sweet Thing b/w “Rock Bottom” under the name “The Rams.” Maye also sang the “di-di-di’s” behind Richard Berry & The Pharaohs on the original “Louie Louie.”
Maye played for the Braves minor league teams in Boise, Eau Claire, Yakima, Evansville, Jacksonville, Wichita, Austin, and Louisville. He also formed the musical group The Crowns. The Crowns had back to back LA area hits on the Modern label with "Truly" and "Love Me Always." On the Specialty label in 1956, they sang their best known record, "Gloria." They also had an important 1956 record on the DIG label titled “This is the Night for Love.” Maye said of his cross country stops, “I'd watch all of them, any entertainer when I was in a town. You learn from each other. My stage presence wasn't polished, so I'd go to learn how to get my stage presence from the other top guys who did it for a living". In 1959 he batted .339 with 17 home runs for the Braves top Louisville farm team and broke into the Major Leagues.
Maye hit over ".300" in his first two seasons of Major League Baseball. A back injury and respiratory illness slowed his progress in 1961 and 1962. In 1964, Maye hit .304, scored 96 runs, drove in 74 runs, and led National League in doubles with 44; meanwhile, his solo album "Halfway Out of Love" sold over 500,000 copies. A 1965 ankle injury hurt his season and career. He was traded to the Houston Astros during the 1965 season. Playing his 1966 home games in the Astrodome, he hit .288 with 9 home runs. Huey Meax managed his music career during this time. Meaux got him studio time with JAMIE and regular bookings at popular Houston nightclubs. The Astros traded him to Cleveland before the 1967 season. In 1968, the year of the pitcher, Maye hit .281. Maye was traded to the Washington Senators during the 1969 season. He had personality issues with Manager Ted Williams but respected his knowledge and hit .290. He played his final year in 1971 with the White Sox, hitting .205. All of his MLB career was during baseball's second deadball era. Lee Maye said, “The greatest thrill is not getting to the major leagues. It’s staying there. I played 13 seasons when they had only 16 teams and I think that was a great accomplishment for me.”
Baseball and music conflict
Arthur Lee Maye’s baseball and music career often conflicted. He sang under the name Arthur Lee Maye but played baseball under Lee Maye. Another Lee May (Lee Andrew May) broke into Major League Baseball in 1965 and soon put up bigger home run and RBI numbers. Only one record credits his dual career. A 1959 release "Will You Be Mine" on CASH had Lee Maye of the Milwaukee Braves on the label. Playing baseball full-time created a time lag problem. Maye said, "When I was playing baseball all the requisite hours, I was a year behind in music, and I never got a chance to catch up with the music trend that I should have been with. I truly was behind the time, and I acknowledge that. Baseball and singing collided". He also knew that baseball prevented his going on tour to promote his songs. "When you're playing baseball and singing it's a very tough career for both of those, because you have to be at both places at the same time of the year, and you can't do that".
Post-baseball career
Lee Maye tried for ten years after his playing career to find a job in organized baseball. He failed, as few non-playing baseball jobs existed for blacks at the time. His outspoken views on racism in baseball angered its owners. And Maye's artistic temperament sometimes clashed with teammates and coaches. Maye later worked with Amtrak until his retirement.
Music career revival
In the mid-1980s, Maye returned to the recording studio with Dave Antrel and his Antrel Records, recording “Moonlight” b/w “Happy and In Love.” "Moonlight" captured the later, early 1960s New York street corner sound. Arthur Lee Maye was very proud of "Moonlight." “Moonlight” made several compilation CDs, played a role in the novel '64 Intruder, and gets airplay on doo-wop radio programs. Maye had a European tour planned when he became stricken with liver cancer.
Gee
Arthur Lee Maye & The Crowns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shout out to my n*** in the street wey dey hold it down, to dawgs way back
Shout out to my n*** in the street wey dey hold me down, to dawgs way back
Shout out to my dawgs way back
OG ! OG !! OG !!!
I say Na who vagabond wey dey mess with my ginger
Ohema say Na me be the niqq wey she trust with her puna
Shebi Na me be the singer wey dey give them the lamba, give them the samba
We at the zebra crossing, And no car passing and this is a reality
I fit Even comot for island, enter the Mainland
We get street credibility
Them say Na me be the guy wey them trust with their muller
Bridge
Though we never thought to make it to the top
Look we’re here now we never gon stop X4
Let celebrate all the kings and queens that made it from the ghetto let the champagne pop X2
Eeeehhh
Jigy jigy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life ah
Jigy jigy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life ooo
Jiggy jiggy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life
Ama be your gee,
Ama be your gee for life
Ama be a Gee for life
Stay jiggy like
Papa wemba OG, Like baba fela
Stay jiggy like
Papa wemba, Like baba fela
Stay jiggy stay jiggy
Papa wemba, like baba fela
Verse 2
Stay jiggy no dulling, counting on my check till I’m 180 yeah...
Keep grinding, no forming
I won’t stop repping the street till I D I E
Emi ma ge beer, tinma fipe 60
Kinma lagbo ninu benz ati Bentley mi
Tawon omo mi tonba study ni overseas
Kinma chill ninu jacuzzi pelu baby mi ahh
Stay jiggy, stay jiggy jiggy
I’m a big boy I like big booty booty
Old never young, young never old
Sea never dry
I be old soldier never die
Hmmmm
Jigy jigy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life
Jigy jigy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life oooo
Jiggy jiggy heavy heavy
Ama be a Gee 4 life
Ama be your gee,
Ama be your gee for life
Ama be a Gee for life
Epistle salt,
Ama be a Gee 4 life, ama be your gee for life
Young boss and wale
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Big Sam
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Baba alayo
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
To my niqqas in the street
Ama stay jiggy for life, stay jiggy for life
Alabama and pittin
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Bobo sege
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Speedometer
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Doughty
Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
They call me Kay
Ama stay jiggy, for life, stay jiggy for life .
Don know, where the love go ? Skrrrrrrr
Written by Kunle Crown
The lyrics to Arthur Lee Maye & The Crowns's song "Gee" celebrate loyalty, friendship, and the journey of success while staying true to one's roots. The song pays homage to the people who have held the singer down and supported them from the beginning, referring to them as "n*** in the street," "dawgs way back," and "OGs." The singer asserts their importance in the streets, mentioning their credibility and the trust placed in them by others. The lyrics also highlight the singer's confidence and ability to achieve success, comparing themselves to influential figures like Papa Wemba and Fela Kuti. They emphasize their determination to keep grinding and repping the streets until the end, refusing to be complacent and always staying "jiggy." The song ultimately celebrates the triumph of those who have made it from humble beginnings and encourages the listener to raise a glass in celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Shout out to my n*** in the street wey dey hold me down, to dawgs way back
Acknowledging and showing appreciation to my friends in the streets who support me and have been with me since the beginning.
Shout out to my dawgs way back
Giving a special shout out to my long-time friends and companions.
OG ! OG !! OG !!!
Referring to myself as an original gangster and emphasizing my significance and influence.
I say Na who vagabond wey dey mess with my ginger
Questioning who has the audacity to interfere with my confidence and energy.
Ohema say Na me be the niqq wey she trust with her puna
Confirming that I am the person that Ohema trusts with her deepest desires and needs.
Shebi Na me be the singer wey dey give them the lamba, give them the samba
Asserting that I am the singer who provides the rhythm and moves to entertain and captivate the audience.
We at the zebra crossing, And no car passing and this is a reality
Metaphorically representing the struggles and obstacles I face in life, where it feels like I am stuck at a standstill without any progress.
I fit Even comot for island, enter the Mainland
Expressing my ability to adapt and navigate various environments, even if it means leaving a comfortable place and going to unfamiliar territories.
We get street credibility
Highlighting our reputation and respect among the people in the streets.
Them say Na me be the guy wey them trust with their muller
Referring to the trust people have in me to handle their money and financial matters.
Though we never thought to make it to the top
Acknowledging that we never imagined reaching the pinnacle of success.
Look we’re here now we never gon stop X4
Celebrating our current achievement and determination to keep pushing forward.
Let celebrate all the kings and queens that made it from the ghetto let the champagne pop X2
Honorably recognizing and celebrating individuals who have succeeded despite coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and suggesting a toast with champagne.
Jigy jigy heavy heavy
Expressing a feeling of confidence, vigor, and strength.
Ama be a Gee 4 life
Declaring my commitment to being a loyal and respected individual for my entire life.
Ama be your gee, Ama be your gee for life
Promising to be someone's trusted confidant and supporter throughout their entire life.
Stay jiggy like Papa wemba OG, Like baba fela
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stylish and trendy persona like legendary musicians Papa Wemba and Fela Kuti.
Stay jiggy no dulling, counting on my check till I’m 180 yeah...
Encouraging myself to stay lively and energetic, while also working hard to secure financial stability until old age.
Keep grinding, no forming
Continuously working hard and staying dedicated, without pretending or being insincere.
I won’t stop repping the street till I D I E
Expressing my unwavering commitment to representing and supporting the streets until the day I die.
Emi ma ge beer, tinma fipe 60
Asserting that I will age gracefully and maintain my relevance, even when I reach the age of 60.
Kinma lagbo ninu benz ati Bentley mi
Planning to be seen driving luxurious cars like Benz and Bentley.
Tawon omo mi tonba study ni overseas
Describing how I want my children to study abroad and experience different cultures.
Kinma chill ninu jacuzzi pelu baby mi ahh
Envisioning a relaxed and enjoyable time in a jacuzzi with my partner.
Sea never dry, I be old soldier never die
Using metaphors to express that opportunities and life's challenges will always be present, but I will remain resilient and undefeated.
Epistle salt, Ama be a Gee 4 life, ama be your gee for life
Comparing myself to the essential ingredient of salt in a letter (epistle), indicating my importance and commitment to being a reliable person for life.
Young boss and wale, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Identifying as a young boss and linking it to being a loyal and trustworthy individual for life.
Big Sam, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Referring to myself as Big Sam and affirming my dedication to being a dependable person for life.
Baba alayo, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Giving myself the title of Baba Alayo and asserting my commitment to being a faithful person for life.
To my niqqas in the street, Ama stay jiggy for life, stay jiggy for life
Addressing my close friends in the streets and promising to remain stylish and trendy for life.
Alabama and pittin, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Referencing Alabama and Pittin as additional individuals who I will be a loyal and trusted person for their entire lives.
Bobo sege, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Referring to Bobo Sege and asserting my dedication to being their reliable and supportive person throughout life.
Speedometer, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Comparing myself to a speedometer, illustrating my consistency and commitment to being a dependable person for life.
Doughty, Ama be a Gee 4 life ama be your gee for life
Referring to myself as Doughty and confirming my commitment to being a trusted and supportive individual for life.
They call me Kay, Ama stay jiggy, for life, stay jiggy for life
Identifying myself as Kay and promising to remain stylish and trendy for my entire life.
Don know, where the love go ? Skrrrrrrr
Expressing confusion and disappointment as to where the love and loyalty have disappeared to, accompanied by a sound effect (Skrrrrrrr) to emphasize dissatisfaction.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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Arthur Lee Maye & Crowns - Set My Heart Free / I Wanna Love - Modern 944 - 11/54