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.
Long Tall Gal
Big John Greer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To satisfy my desire
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
To set my world on fire
She's skin and bones ain't got much meat
But the little she's got sure is sweet
A long tall gal will make you shout
Cos she knows what it's all about
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
To be my loving bride
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
Just to keep me satisfied
She's gotta be thin with a pretty face
Cos I can find a fat gal almost any place
A long tall gal will knock me out
Cos she knows what it's all about
I want a long tall gal, long tall gal
Long tall gal and me
I want a long tall gal, long tall gal
Yes a gal that's built for speed
She's gotta be fast as a greyhound
She's gotta drive me mad when she goes to town
A long tall gal will make you shout
Cos she knows what it's all about
I want her long and lean
Just like a string bean
I want her real tall
Or not at all
Yes a real tall gal will make you shout
Cos she knows what it's all about
She'll knock you out
The lyrics to Big John Greer's "Long Tall Gal" describe the singer's desire for a tall, skinny woman who can fulfill his romantic and physical desires. He repeats this refrain several times over the course of the song, emphasizing his admiration for "long skinny legs" and a slim figure. The lyrics suggest that he believes a woman's body type is the key to a satisfying relationship and that a thin, tall woman has the ability to "set [his] world on fire" and make him "shout". He also emphasizes that a thin woman is superior to a fat woman, claiming that he can find a fat woman "almost any place".
The song reflects the cultural ideals of beauty and desirability that were popular in the mid-20th century, emphasizing the importance of thinness and height as indicators of attractiveness. It also perpetuates gender stereotypes that suggest that men desire women who are physically attractive and sexually available. However, the song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody have made it a classic that continues to be enjoyed by music fans today.
Line by Line Meaning
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
To satisfy my desire
I want a woman who is tall and thin, to fulfill my physical desires.
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
To set my world on fire
I want a woman who is tall and thin, to excite and inspire me.
She's skin and bones ain't got much meat
But the little she's got sure is sweet
She may be thin, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in quality.
A long tall gal will make you shout
Cos she knows what it's all about
A woman who is tall and thin will satisfy your desires, because she knows how to please you.
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
To be my loving bride
I want a tall and thin woman to marry, to be my partner in life and love.
I want a real tall gal with long skinny legs
Just to keep me satisfied
I want a tall and thin woman to keep me happy and content.
She's gotta be thin with a pretty face
Cos I can find a fat gal almost any place
I prefer a woman who is thin with an attractive face, because finding a fat woman is easy.
A long tall gal will knock me out
Cos she knows what it's all about
A woman who is tall and thin will leave me feeling stunned, because she knows how to please me.
I want a long tall gal, long tall gal
Long tall gal and me
I want a tall and thin woman to be with me, to share my life and my desires.
I want a long tall gal, long tall gal
Yes a gal that's built for speed
I want a woman who is tall and thin, who can move quickly and excite me.
She's gotta be fast as a greyhound
She's gotta drive me mad when she goes to town
She needs to be fast and exciting, to keep me engaged and interested when we go out.
I want her long and lean
Just like a string bean
I want a woman who is tall and thin, like a stretched-out bean.
I want her real tall
Or not at all
I only want a woman who is tall and thin, and will not settle for anyone who doesn't fit this description.
Yes a real tall gal will make you shout
Cos she knows what it's all about
She'll knock you out
A woman who is tall and thin will satisfy your desires and leave you feeling stunned, because she knows how to please you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Henry Glover, Lucius Millinder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rayszymarek2920
Now thats the kind of Saxophone player I dig. and by the way the Sax player is really inspiration for one of Americas Top Group out there today. Listen to Voo Doo Daddy and their Sax Player has this kind of sound. and by the way there are countless fans out there that like to hear this cool hep sound once again. It was popular way back in the l940s and l950s and its back here again in 2017. Good Music Sustains the time. This is Swinging Good Music.
@mariacargille1396
I needed a pick-me-up, and asked Google to play me some loud music, and it gave me this. While unexpected, I'm not a bit disappointed. :)
@Surferjo
kool
@fosbury68
He's no Earl Bostic.