Big John Greer (November 21, 1923 – May 12, 1972) was an American rhythm & … Read Full Bio ↴Big John Greer (November 21, 1923 – May 12, 1972) was an American rhythm & blues tenor saxophonist and vocalist, best known for his recordings from 1949 to 1955, which included "Got You On My Mind" and "Bottle It Up And Go."

Born John Marshall Greer in Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States, he was a friend of Henry Glover from childhood, and both attended college at Alabama A&M together. Glover was playing in Lucky Millinder's band when Bull Moose Jackson left the group in 1948; Glover suggested that Greer be chosen as Jackson's replacement. Greer played with Bob Shad and appeared on Millinder's RCA recordings until 1950, when Millinder signed to King Records. Greer stayed with RCA and played with Wynonie Harris and Jackson among others. He sang lead vocals on his biggest hit, 1952's "Got You On My Mind". In 1954 he switched to Groove Records, but did not make much impact on the American record charts there. In October of that year, he released "We Want To See Santa Do The Mambo", a Christmas hit to this day. In 1955, he finally signed with King, but only recorded for them for about a year. Greer also worked with Hal Singer and Bill Doggett.
By 1957, Greer had developed extended troubles with alcoholism, and he moved back to his home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he died in 1972 at age 48.

Clambake Boogie
Big John Greer Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Did you hear about the clambake they're having this fall
Let's all get together and have a ball
Bring the helen and little sarah too
Just come on down any time will do

It's the clambake boogie
It's the clambake boogie
Well the clambake boogie, boogie woogie all night long

All the good looking chicks, will be there too
If you haven't got a gal now there'll be one for you
You can raise the roof if you want to shout
If the cops start coming we can throw them out

It's the clambake boogie
It's the clambake boogie
Well the clambake boogie, boogie woogie all night long

We'll be playing it at mine
You can ?
? boogie till broad daylight
?
All night till things get rough

It's the clambake boogie
It's the clambake boogie
Well the clambake boogie, boogie woogie all night long

Oh ready man slim ain't never got a dime
Tell him that's alright just be on time
Tell all the bad cats there ain't nowhere
Be cool if ? cos I'll be there

It's the clambake boogie

It's the clambake boogie
It's the clambake boogie, boogie woogie all night long

Overall Meaning

Big John Greer's song "Clambake Boogie" is an invitation to a clambake party in fall. The song opens with Greer asking whether people have heard of the clambake party coming up in fall and invites everyone to come together and have fun. He suggests that people bring their wives and girlfriends, and even if they don't have one, they can come and have a good time. The chorus of the song talks about the clambake boogie, which is a boogie woogie dance that continues all night long. Greer assures his listeners that there will be plenty of attractive women at the party so that everyone can find someone to dance with.

The second verse talks about the venue of the party, which is at Greer's place. He tells his guests that they can dance the night away until daylight breaks. The lines that follow are not clear, but they suggest that Greer is referring to some unspecified trouble that might break out if too many people start to drink and dance too hard. The third verse continues with a mention of a person called "Ready Man Slim," who is short of money. Greer tells his listeners not to worry about such things and be on time for the party. He also assures them that everyone is welcome, including "bad cats," as long as they behave themselves.

Clambake BoogieBig John Greer Lyrics

Clambake Boogie
Big John Greer Lyrics