In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
I Ain't Got Nobody
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
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How 'bout your short'nin' bread
Oh, I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
I guess that's what you said
My Ma told me today, when she went away
To buy groceries
To be a good boy, she'd give me a toy
There ain't no use of anyone to keep a hangin' 'round
Maybe I'm waitin' on your Ma
You don't know my Ma, she'd really put you down
Put me down
Ma's bakin' up a storm, and her oven is still warm
I know you want it, but you can't have it
And I ain't gonna give you none
You dirty boy!
I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jellyroll
Oh, such a stingy chap!
I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
How 'bout a zuzu snap
Her cherry pie is fine, her layer cake divine
But I'm tellin' you twice, you can't get a slice
Unless you're extra special nice
Now, there ain't no use of you to just keep a hangin' 'round
Oh, pretty please
I love you but I hate to put you down
Yeah, my jellyroll is sweet
That it is!
It sure is hard to beat
Well, I know they want it
But, they can't have it
Yeah, ho-ho Miss Nelly, I mean my jellyroll
Dibs on the dishpan
I got seconds
"I Ain't Got Nobody" by Asleep At The Wheel is a classic song with a humorous tone. The lyrics seem light but they touch on the themes of greed, happiness, and love. The phrase "I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jellyroll" refers to the singer's unwillingness to share his material possessions with others. This statement is followed by a string of other food-related items, such as "short'nin' bread" and "a piece a pie." The singer claims that he wouldn't even give someone a slice of pie to save their soul. His mom has given him a toy for being a good boy and to prove that he is his mother's pride and joy.
The singer sings that there is no use for anyone to hang around him unless they are waiting for his mom. If someone were to make fun of his mom or him, his mom would "put them down." However, the singer politely tells his audience that "there ain't no use of anyone to keep a hangin' 'round." The mentioning of "zuzu snap" and "cherry pie" emphasize the singer's love for food. Even though he knows that everybody wants a piece of his "jellyroll," he is not going to give them any. The singer hints that his heart can be won if someone is "extra special nice."
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jellyroll
Oh, such a stingy chap!
How 'bout your short'nin' bread
How 'bout a zuzu snap
Oh, I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
I wouldn't give you anything, even if it meant saving your life
I guess that's what you said
I heard you loud and clear
My Ma told me today, when she went away, to buy groceries
My mother told me today, before she left to buy groceries
To be a good boy, she'd give me a toy, 'Cause I'm my Mama's pride and joy
My mother said if I behave well she'll reward me with a toy, because I'm her favorite child
There ain't no use of anyone to keep a hangin' 'round
There's no point in anyone sticking around
Maybe I'm waitin' on your Ma
Maybe I'm waiting for your mother
You don't know my Ma, she'd really put you down
You don't know my mother, she's not someone to be messed with
Ma's bakin' up a storm, and her oven is still warm
My mother is baking a lot and her oven is still hot
I know you want it, but you can't have it, And I ain't gonna give you none, You dirty boy!
I know you want some, but you can't have any because you're not worthy, you dirty boy!
Her cherry pie is fine, her layer cake divine
My mother's cherry pie is excellent and her layer cake is heavenly
But I'm tellin' you twice, you can't get a slice, Unless you're extra special nice
But let me make it clear, you cannot have any unless you're extra nice
Now, there ain't no use of you to just keep a hangin' 'round
There's no use in you just waiting around
Oh, pretty please, I love you but I hate to put you down
Please, I love you but I hate to disappoint you
Yeah, my jellyroll is sweet
Yes, my jellyroll is delicious
It sure is hard to beat
It's really hard to find something better
Well, I know they want it, but they can't have it
I know they want some, but they can't have any
Yeah, ho-ho Miss Nelly, I mean my jellyroll
Yes, my jellyroll is so great, it's like Miss Nelly herself
Dibs on the dishpan, I got seconds
I'll do the dishes and I'll take seconds of the dessert
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: C. WILLIAMS, S. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
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Ben - Moderator
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Eddie
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