Bo Diddley
Bobby Vee Lyrics
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If that diamond ring don't shine,
He gonna take it to a private eye,
If that private eye can't see
He'd better not take the ring from me.
Bo Diddley caught a nanny goat,
To make his pretty baby a Sunday coat,
To make his pretty baby a Sunday hat.
Mojo come to my house, ya black cat bone,
Take my baby away from home,
Ugly ole mojo, where ya bin,
Up your house, and gone again.
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard?
My pretty baby said she wasn't for it.
The lyrics of Bobby Vee's song "Bo Diddley" seem simple at first glance, with a repeated reference to the legendary rock and roll musician whose name serves as the title. However, as we delve into the lyrics, it becomes clear that the song is a tale of a man's determination to provide for his beloved. Bo Diddley is extravagantly generous in his gift-giving, buying his lady a diamond ring. However, should it fail to impress, he will go even further to ensure that she is taken care of. He calls in a private eye, someone who is meant to be able to detect any flaws and determine whether the ring is the real deal. The singer warns the private eye, likely because he knows the determination of Bo Diddley and how he will not let anything stop him from giving his lover the best things in life.
The second verse speaks to the creative lengths that Bo Diddley will go to in order to make his lady happy. He catches a nanny goat and a bear cat, and magically turns them into clothing items for her. This verse showcases Bo Diddley's resourcefulness and ability to provide solutions to everything. The third verse takes a darker turn as the singer warns a mysterious figure not to take his baby away. He calls on "mojo," a magical influence thought to come from African American folklore, to protect his relationship. In the final verse, the singer inquires of Bo Diddley whether he has heard that his baby is not interested in his gifts, despite their seemingly endless extravagance. This serves as an ironic twist, as the singer sings about a man so willing to go to great lengths to provide for his woman, but it turns out she simply wasn't impressed.
Line by Line Meaning
Bo Diddley bought his babe a diamond ring,
Bo Diddley purchased a shiny diamond ring for his lover.
If that diamond ring don't shine,
If the diamond ring is not sparkling, it is not fit for his lover.
He gonna take it to a private eye,
Bo Diddley intends to consult with an expert jeweler if the diamond ring isn't shining.
If that private eye can't see
If the jeweler can't improve the diamond ring's glimmer,
He'd better not take the ring from me.
Bo Diddley warns the jeweler against taking the ring from him if they can't fix it.
Bo Diddley caught a nanny goat,
Bo Diddley captured a female goat.
To make his pretty baby a Sunday coat,
He plans on using the goat to make his girlfriend a beautiful coat to wear on Sundays.
Bo Diddley caught a bear cat,
Bo Diddley trapped a fierce cat-like animal.
To make his pretty baby a Sunday hat.
The bear cat will be used to create a chic hat for his lover to wear on Sundays.
Mojo come to my house, ya black cat bone,
Bo Diddley is summoning a supernatural force known as mojo, with black cat bones as a part of the ritual.
Take my baby away from home,
He wants mojo to take away his lover from her current residence.
Ugly ole mojo, where ya bin,
Bo Diddley addresses the mojo he summoned, inquiring of its whereabouts.
Up your house, and gone again.
The invoked mojo has already departed from Bo Diddley's house.
Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley have you heard?
The singer, Bobby Vee, calls out to Bo Diddley, asking if he is aware.
My pretty baby said she wasn't for it.
The lyricist is aware that Bo Diddley's object of his affection is uninterested in his advances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind