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.
Ride Pretty Baby
Big John Greer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All night long
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
As long as my gas holds up we're gonna keep on
Rolling on
Well I'm going to see my baby
Well I'm going to see my baby got my car on
Full of gas
I'm gonna cruise with my baby as long as gas will last
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
As long as my gas holds up we're gonna keep on
Rolling on
Yes she's a sweet little girl built for comfort and for speed
Oh, she's a sweet little girl built for comfort and for speed
She gives me everything I want and cos I got everything I need
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
And if my gas holds up we're gonna keep on
Rolling on
The lyrics to Big John Greer's song Ride Pretty Baby describe a night of cruising in a car with a partner, fueled by the excitement of seeing each other and the thrill of the open road. The repeated chorus of "ride, ride, ride all night long" emphasizes the sense of freedom and escape that comes with being on the road, while the reference to gas as the sole limitation adds a touch of urgency and impermanence to the excitement.
Throughout the song, there are references to the singer's clarity of purpose and sense of satisfaction in being with his partner. He describes his car as being "full of gas" and his partner as a "sweet little girl built for comfort and for speed." This image invokes both the physical attractiveness of his partner as well as her ability to match his desires and needs. The singer seems to suggest that, as long as he has his partner by his side, he can keep riding on forever.
Overall, the song is a celebration of the freedom, excitement, and passion that can come with the simple act of cruising in a car with a loved one. The repetition of the chorus and the emphasis on the physical and emotional pleasure derived from being with one's partner create a sense of joy and excitement that is infectious and uplifting.
Line by Line Meaning
Well we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
We are going to drive around all night long
Yes we're gonna ride, ride, ride
All night long
We will keep driving all night
As long as my gas holds up we're gonna keep on
Rolling on
We will continue driving until we run out of gas
Well I'm going to see my baby
Got my car on full of gas
I'm going to see my girlfriend and I have a full gas tank
Well I'm going to see my baby got my car on
Full of gas
My car is fueled up and I'm going to see my girlfriend
I'm gonna cruise with my baby as long as gas will last
I am going to drive around with my girlfriend as long as there is gas in the tank
Yes she's a sweet little girl built for comfort and for speed
My girlfriend is a great companion - she is both comfortable and fast
Oh, she's a sweet little girl built for comfort and for speed
My girlfriend is a great companion - she is both comfortable and fast
She gives me everything I want and cos I got everything I need
My girlfriend gives me everything I want and I have everything I need
And if my gas holds up we're gonna keep on
Rolling on
If there is still gas in the car, we will keep driving
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHNSON, HARRY, RAYMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Rocha
Awesome. Love that heavy shuffle!
Bianca Bagnolet
c'est trop trop mimi c'est tellement géniale j'adore 💖
78merlot
I completely forgot about John Greer. What a treat.
T
Hahaha! That was fun!