Tiger Rag
Bix Beiderbecke The Wolverine Orchestra Lyrics


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Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"

Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?




Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Tiger Rag" by Bix Beiderbecke The Wolverine Orchestra might seem repetitive and straightforward, but they actually capture the essence of the song and its impact on audiences. The repeated refrain of "Where's that tiger!" creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, as if the musicians and the listeners are on the hunt for something elusive and exhilarating. The commands to "Hold that tiger!" and "Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!" further emphasize the urgency and intensity of this search, as if the elusive tiger is both a danger to be subdued and a prize to be claimed.


However, the true meaning of the lyrics is not just about the search for a tiger but also about the universal desire for music that inspires and moves us. The chorus of "Where oh where can he be? Low or highbrow, they all cry now 'Please play that Tiger Rag for me'" conveys the idea that no matter what our background or social status, we all crave the joy and energy that music can bring. The tiger, then, is perhaps a metaphor for this elusive but powerful force that music represents. By repeating the refrain and urging the musicians to "play that Tiger Rag," the lyrics encourage us all to keep searching for the music that speaks to our souls.


Line by Line Meaning

Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the excitement and energy that we are looking for?


Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Keep that energy and excitement going!


Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Do whatever it takes to keep that excitement going!


Where oh where can he be?
Where can we find that excitement and energy?


Low or highbrow, they all cry now
Whether you're fancy or not, everyone wants to experience that excitement.


"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Please bring back that exciting music that we love so much!




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARRY TIERNEY, JOSEPH JOE MC CARTHY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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