The band was originally formed in 1989 by leader Scott Morris. He and Kurt Sodergren are the two "original" members, with the rest of the band joining later on. The band concentrated on the swing of the 1940s and '50s, playing clubs and lounges in their early years.
The band launched two CDs, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Watchu' Want for Christmas? under their own label (Big Bad Records) before getting their big break when their songs "You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three Tonight (Baby)" and "Go Daddy-O" were featured in the 1996 comedy Swingers.
From there they were signed by Capitol Records. With Capitol the band released Americana Deluxe (also known as a second Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) and This Beautiful Life. The band has continued their tours, performances and album releases Save My Soul, Live, and Everything You Want For Christmas, with one high point being their appearance at the 1999 Super Bowl half-time show.
Over the last few years, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has experienced great success playing on the Pops programs of American Symphony Orchestras and regular US tours.
Most recently, BBVD released a tribute album titled How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway. As part of the live concerts promoting this recent album, the band continues to perform new material, including the track "5-10-15 Times I Love You" which frontman Scotty Morris says will be recorded as part of a new album in early 2011.
Band Members:
* Scott Morris "Scotty" (vocals and guitar) - core member
* Kurt Sodergren (drums and percussion) - core member
* Dirk Shumaker (string bass) - core member
* Andrew Rowley "Andy" (baritone saxophone) - core member
* Glen Marehevka "The Kid" (trumpet) - core member
* Karl Hunter (saxophone and clarinet) - core member
* Joshua Levy "Josh" (piano) - core member
* Tony Bonsera (lead trumpet)
* Alex Henderson (trombone) (also part of The Brian Setzer Orchestra)
** Ron Blake (former lead trumpet) left Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to go on tour with Green Day.
The Jumpin' Jive
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hep-hep) be-doodle-de-ack, be-doodle-de-ackasaki (hep-hep)
Oh, boo-dang, dang-a-dee-day (hep-hep)
Gonna tell you 'bout the jumpin' jive (hep-hep)
Jim, jam, the jumpin' jive (hep-hep)
Man, those cats gonna beat out that mellow jive (hep-hep)
Beat it out on the mellow side, dig it
Oh, boy (whatcha gonna say there, gate?)
Now, Palomar, Shalamar, Swanee shores
Let me dig that jive some more
Boy (take it right on down to the gator)
Oh, boy (little gator, slide little gator)
Now, can you hear them hepcats shout?
Come on, boys, let's have a ball
(The jim, jam, jump is the jumpin' jive)
Makes you dig your jive on the mellow side
Hep-hep
Hep-hep
(The jim, jam, jump is the solid jive)
Makes you nine feet tall when you four feet five
Hep-hep
Hep-hep
And now, don't you be that ickeroo
Get hip, come on and follow through
Then you get your steady foo'
You make the joint jump like the gators do
(The jim, jam, jump is the jumpin' jive)
Makes you dig your eggs on the Jersey side
Hep-hep
(The jim, jam, jump, the jumpin' jive)
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side, get mellow
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
(Hep-hep)
The jim, jam, jump and jumpin' jive
Makes you dig your jive on the mellow side
Hep-hep
Hep-hep
The jim, jam, jump, and jumpin' jive
Makes you nine feet tall when you're four feet five
Hep-hep
Hep-hep
Now, don't you be that ickeroo
Get hep, come on, follow through
Then you get your steady foo
You make the joint jump like the gators do
The jim, jam, jump and jumpin' jive
Makes you dig your eggs on the Jersey side
Hep-hep
The jim, jam, jump, and the jumpin' jive
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side
The jim, jam, jump, and the jumpin' jive
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side
The song “Jumpin’ Jive” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a high energy, swing jazz number that harks back to the music of the 1930s and 40s. The lyrics are a call to action, urging listeners to get dancing and join the party. The opening lines set the tone with a combination of scat singing and nonsense syllables. The repetition of “hep-hep” and “be-doodle-de-ack” creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The chorus, with its repeated refrain of “The jim, jam, jump is the jumpin’ jive”, further reinforces the message of the song: let loose, have fun, and dance the night away.
The song’s lyrics also reference various locations and venues associated with swing jazz. Palomar, Shalamar, and Swanee Shore were all real-life ballrooms that were popular in the 1930s and 40s, known for their live music and dance floors. By invoking these places, the song creates a sense of nostalgia and community, as if listeners are part of a larger cultural moment. The use of slang and jargon further adds to this feeling of belonging, as if listeners are part of an exclusive social scene.
Overall, “Jumpin’ Jive” is a rousing celebration of swing jazz and dance culture. Its catchy melody and upbeat lyrics have made it a favorite of swing fans around the world, and its energy and excitement continue to inspire new audiences today.
Line by Line Meaning
(Hep-hep) be-doodle-de-ack, be-doodle-de-ackasaki (hep-hep)
Let's start the music, get ready to jump and jive
Oh, boo-dang, dang-a-dee-day (hep-hep)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming jumpin' jive
Gonna tell you 'bout the jumpin' jive (hep-hep)
The singer is about to explain the type of music they are playing
Jim, jam, the jumpin' jive (hep-hep)
Describing the upbeat and lively sound of the jumpin' jive
Man, those cats gonna beat out that mellow jive (hep-hep)
The band is going to play the jumpin' jive with more energy and enthusiasm than the slower mellow jive
Beat it out on the mellow side, dig it
But they can also play the jumpin' jive in a more relaxed and laid-back way
Boy (whatcha gonna say there, gate?)
Addressing the audience and asking for their reaction to the upcoming music
Oh, boy (whatcha gonna say there, gate?)
Repeating the question and urging the audience to respond
Now, Palomar, Shalamar, Swanee shores
Naming some locations associated with swing and jazz music
Let me dig that jive some more
Asking for more of the jumpin' jive music
Boy (take it right on down to the gator)
Giving instructions for the audience to move and dance like an alligator
Oh, boy (little gator, slide little gator)
Encouraging the audience to embrace the alligator dance and enjoy themselves
Now, can you hear them hepcats shout?
Asking if the audience can hear the enthusiastic fans of the jumpin' jive
Come on, boys, let's have a ball
Encouraging everyone to have a good time and enjoy the music together
(The jim, jam, jump is the jumpin' jive)
Repeating the name of the music to emphasize its importance
Makes you dig your jive on the mellow side
Explaining that the jumpin' jive can be played with a mellow or upbeat sound
The jim, jam, jump is the solid jive
Describing the jumpin' jive as a strong and stable form of music
Makes you nine feet tall when you four feet five
Suggesting that the jumpin' jive can make people feel confident and empowered
And now, don't you be that ickeroo
Encouraging the audience to not be hesitant or shy, but rather to embrace the music
Get hip, come on and follow through
Urging the audience to join in and follow the beat of the jumpin' jive
Then you get your steady foo'
Promising that once you start dancing and moving to the music, you'll find your rhythm and become steady
You make the joint jump like the gators do
Saying that if everyone gets involved and dances, they can create a lively and fun atmosphere like that of alligators
Makes you dig your eggs on the Jersey side
Giving an example of how the jumpin' jive can make people happy or excited
The jim, jam, jump, and the jumpin' jive
Naming the music yet again to reinforce how important it is
Makes you hep-hep on the mellow side
Re-emphasizing the different styles of jumpin' jive music and how it can make people feel
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cab Calloway, Frank Froeba, Jack Palmer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind