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 and Earl Nelson (born Earl Lee Nelson, 8 September 1928, Lake Charles, Louisiana). They had both been members of The Hollywood Flames.

By 1957, Byrd had started a parallel solo career, writing and recording for contractual reasons as Bobby Day. In 1962, Nelson then recruited a second "Bob", Bobby Relf (January 10, 1937 - November 20, 2007), who also used the stage names of Bobby Garrett and Bobby Valentino.

This duo of Relf and Nelson recorded several singles for different labels, before recording "Harlem Shuffle" in 1963. 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[4], 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. 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 and 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 and Earl is a vibrant and uplifting tune that celebrates the joy of music and the unity it brings. The lyrics convey a sense of freedom and rebellion against conformity, encouraging listeners to let loose and enjoy the experience of jamming together. The repetitive chorus of "We're jammin', jammin', and I hope you like jammin' too" emphasizes the inclusive nature of music, inviting everyone to join in and embrace the rhythm.

The verses highlight the power of music to transcend boundaries and overcome obstacles. The lyrics suggest that jamming was once considered a thing of the past but now has been reignited. The song emphasizes that nothing can stop the power of music, not even bullets, and that it cannot be bought or sold. The lyrics also touch on themes of unity and social justice, stating that the children of Jah (a term commonly associated with God or a higher power in Rastafarian culture) must unite to defend their rights.

Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm

Well, alright
Confirming agreement and readiness

We're jammin'
Engaging in musical improvisation and creativity

I want to jam it with you
Desiring to collaborate and share the experience

And I hope you like jammin' too
Wishing for mutual enjoyment and appreciation

Ain't no rules, ain't no vow
Rejecting restrictions or commitments

We can do it anyhow
Being open to various approaches and possibilities

I and I will see you through
Promising support and companionship

'Cause every day we pay the price
Acknowledging the sacrifices made daily

With a little sacrifice
Accepting the need for some sacrifice

Jammin' 'til the jam is through
Continuing the musical collaboration until completion

To think that jammin' was a thing of the past
Surprising realization that jamming still exists

No bullet can stop us now
Undeterred by any obstacles or resistance

We neither beg nor we won't bow
Refusing to submit or yield

Neither can be bought nor sold
Unswayed by material possessions or monetary offers

We all defend the right
Advocating for justice and equality

Jah Jah children must unite
Calling for unity among believers

For life is worth much more than gold
Recognizing the value of life over material wealth

And we're jammin' in the name of the Lord
Engaging in music as a spiritual expression

Singing Holy Mount Zion, Holy Mount Zion
Expressing reverence for a sacred place

Jah sitteth in Mount Zion and rules all creation
Believing in a higher power overseeing everything

Yeah, we're, we're jammin'
Emphasizing the ongoing and enthusiastic jamming

(Bop-chu-wa) bop-chu-wa-wa-wa
Adding a catchy vocalization to the song

See, I want to jam it with you
Reiterating the desire to collaborate

Jah knows how much I've tried
Acknowledging the efforts made for love and truth

The truth I cannot hide
Being honest and transparent

To keep you satisfied
Striving to fulfill the other person's needs

True love I know exists
Believing in the existence of genuine love

Is the love I can't resist
Feeling unable to resist that love

So jam by my side
Inviting the person to join and support

We're jammin', yeah
Continuing the joyful musical collaboration

I hope you like jammin' too
Expressing hope for mutual enjoyment

I wanna, I wanna
Expressing a strong desire

I want to jam with you
Desiring to engage in musical improvisation together

And I hope you like jammin'
Desiring the other person's enjoyment

'Cause I want to jam it with you
Reiterating the wish to collaborate

I want to jam it with you
Expressing the strong desire to collaborate

I like, I hope you
Expressing personal preference and hope

I hope you like jammin' too
Wishing for mutual enjoyment of the jamming

I wanna jam it
Desiring to engage in musical improvisation

Wanna jam it, ooh
Strong desire to engage in musical improvisation

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.