Bob & Earl were an American soul music singing duo in the 1960s, best known… Read Full Bio ↴Bob & Earl were an American soul music singing duo in the 1960s, best known for writing and recording the original version of "Harlem Shuffle".

The original duo were Bobby Byrd (July 1, 1930 – July 27, 1990) and Earl Nelson (born 8 September 1928, Lake Charles, Louisiana - July 2008, Los Angeles). They had both been members of The Hollywood Flames, a prolific doo-wop group in Los Angeles, California whose major hit was "Buzz Buzz Buzz" in 1958, on which Nelson sang lead.

By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day. He wrote and recorded the original version of "Little Bitty Pretty One", and had a hit of his own with "Rockin’ Robin" (1958). In 1960, Day/Byrd and Nelson began recording together as Bob & Earl, on the Class record label. However, these releases had relatively little success, and Day/Byrd restarted his solo career.

Nelson then recruited a second “Bob”, Bobby Relf, who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino. Relf had already led several Los Angeles based acts in his career, including the Laurels, the Upfronts, and Valentino and the Lovers. The latter two groups also featured the then pianist and bass singer, Barry White.

This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several singles for different labels, before recording "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963. The song was written by Relf and Nelson, arranged by Barry White, and produced by Fred Smith, and when released on the Marc label became a modest hit on the R&B chart. Its vocal interplay directly influenced later duos such as Sam and Dave. However, its main success came as late as 1969, when it was re-released in the UK and became a Top Ten hit there. Reportedly, George Harrison called it his favourite record of all time.

By that time, Nelson had achieved further success as a solo artist under the alias of Jackie Lee, with "The Duck", a hit dance record released in 1965. (Jackie was Nelson's wife's name and Lee his own middle name). When "Harlem Shuffle" became successful on reissue, Nelson and Relf reunited as Bob & Earl to tour. However, the duo split up finally in the early 1970s.

Jamming
Bob & Earl Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ooh, yeah
Well, alright

We're jammin'
I want to jam it with you
We're jammin', jammin'
And I hope you like jammin' too

Ain't no rules, ain't no vow
We can do it anyhow
I and I will see you through
'Cause every day we pay the price
With a little sacrifice
Jammin' 'til the jam is through

We're jammin'
To think that jammin' was a thing of the past
We're jammin'
And I hope this jam is gonna last

No bullet can stop us now
We neither beg nor we won't bow
Neither can be bought nor sold
We all defend the right
Jah Jah children must unite
For life is worth much more than gold

We're jammin', jammin', jammin', jammin'
And we're jammin' in the name of the Lord
We're jammin', jammin', jammin', jammin'
We're jammin' right straight from yard
Singing Holy Mount Zion, Holy Mount Zion
Jah sitteth in Mount Zion and rules all creation

Yeah, we're, we're jammin'
(Bop-chu-wa) bop-chu-wa-wa-wa
We're jammin' (bop-chu-wa)
See, I want to jam it with you
We're jammin' (jammin', jammin', jammin')
And Jamdown hope you're jammin' too

Jah knows how much I've tried
The truth I cannot hide
To keep you satisfied
True love I know exists
Is the love I can't resist
So jam by my side

We're jammin', yeah (jammin', jammin', jammin')
I want to jam it with you
We're jammin', we're jammin'
We're jammin', we're jammin'
We're jammin', we're jammin'
We're jammin', we're jammin'
Hope you like jammin', too

We're jammin', we're jammin' (jammin')
We're jammin', we're jammin' (jammin', jammin')
I wanna, I wanna (I want to jam with you)
I want to jam with you now
We're jammin', we're jammin'
Hope you like jammin'
And I hope you like jammin'
And I hope you like jammin' (jammin', jammin')
'Cause I want to jam it with you
I want to jam it with you

I like, I hope you
I hope you like jammin' too

I wanna jam it
Wanna jam it, ooh

Overall Meaning

The song "Jamming" by Bob & Earl is a joyful and uplifting anthem that celebrates the power of music to bring people together. It encourages the listener to let go of restrictions and join in the universal act of jamming. The lyrics emphasize the freedom and spontaneity of jamming, highlighting that there are no rules or boundaries when it comes to creating music. The song suggests that jamming is not just a nostalgic pastime but an ongoing and timeless experience.

The lyrics also touch upon the idea of unity and resilience. It states that nothing can stop the jamming session, as they cannot be controlled or silenced by external forces. It reinforces the message that the power of music transcends any limitations and that people must stand together for their rights and beliefs. The mention of "Jah," a Rastafarian term for God, further emphasizes the idea of spirituality and divine presence in the act of jamming.

Overall, "Jamming" is a celebration of the communal joy and unity found in music, urging listeners to embrace the spirit of jamming and share in the love and positivity it brings.

Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm

Well, alright
Acknowledging approval and agreement

We're jammin'
Engaging in lively, collaborative musical expression

I want to jam it with you
Desiring to participate in the musical collaboration with the listener

And I hope you like jammin' too
Expressing the hope that the listener enjoys the experience of jamming together

Ain't no rules, ain't no vow
There are no strict guidelines or promises to abide by

We can do it anyhow
We have the freedom to approach it in any way we like

I and I will see you through
Together, we will support and guide each other

'Cause every day we pay the price
Acknowledging the challenges and sacrifices faced each day

With a little sacrifice
Requiring some willingness to give up something for the jamming experience

Jammin' 'til the jam is through
Engaging in jamming until the session comes to an end

To think that jammin' was a thing of the past
Reflecting on the misconception that jamming was no longer popular or relevant

No bullet can stop us now
Nothing can prevent us from jamming and expressing ourselves

We neither beg nor we won't bow
We do not seek approval or yield to anyone

Neither can be bought nor sold
Our passion for jamming cannot be influenced or commodified

We all defend the right
We stand up for the freedom to jam and express ourselves

Jah Jah children must unite
Those who believe in Jah (God) should come together in unity

For life is worth much more than gold
Emphasizing the value and importance of life over material possessions

And we're jammin' in the name of the Lord
Engaging in the act of jamming with a spiritual purpose and dedication

We're jammin' right straight from yard
Jamming directly from our home or origin

Singing Holy Mount Zion, Holy Mount Zion
Uttering praises to the holy mountain of Zion

Jah sitteth in Mount Zion and rules all creation
Believing that God reigns over all aspects of existence from Mount Zion

Yeah, we're, we're jammin'
Affirming the ongoing and continuous nature of the jamming experience

(Bop-chu-wa) bop-chu-wa-wa-wa
Vocalized sounds adding to the rhythm and enjoyment of jamming

See, I want to jam it with you
Explicitly expressing the desire to jam with the listener

Jah knows how much I've tried
God is aware of the effort put into maintaining the connection and love

The truth I cannot hide
Unable to conceal the genuine feelings and emotions

To keep you satisfied
Striving to make the listener content and fulfilled

True love I know exists
Being aware of the existence of genuine and authentic love

Is the love I can't resist
Unable to resist the pull and allure of true love

So jam by my side
Requesting the listener to join and support the experience of jamming

We're jammin', yeah
Continuing the enthusiastic expression of jamming

Hope you like jammin', too
Desiring the listener's enjoyment and appreciation of the jamming process

We're jammin', we're jammin'
Repeating the affirmation of engaging in jamming together

I wanna, I wanna
Expressing strong desire and eagerness

I want to jam with you
Explicitly stating the intention to jam with the listener

Hope you like jammin'
Expressing the wish that the listener enjoys the jamming experience

And I hope you like jammin'
Continuing the hope that the listener finds pleasure in jamming

'Cause I want to jam it with you
Reiterating the strong desire to jam with the listener

I want to jam it with you
Reaffirming the desire to engage in musical collaboration with the listener

I like, I hope you
Expressing personal preference and desire for the listener's satisfaction

I hope you like jammin' too
Expressing the wish that the listener enjoys jamming as well

I wanna jam it
Desiring to participate in the act of jamming

Wanna jam it, ooh
Strongly desiring to engage in the act of jamming with enthusiasm

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Steven Kerry

3y↑6

The arrangement is awesome. I loved this record when I was a kid and it still sounds exciting and holds up brilliantly. I heard somewhere that Barry White was involved with this production. Whatever the case, you MUST hear this on a great sound system. When people say "they don't make 'em like this anymore" THIS is a perfect example of what they are talking about. Surely this record boasts one of the best intros of any R+B dance tune EVER. That's probably why it's been sampled.