Davis, born in Montgomery, Alabama, is best rememberd for his 1949 recording of the 1925 standard "Sweet Georgia Brown". It became internationally famous after being adopted as the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952. Notably, the bass line for this track uses the Novachord, a very early electronic synthesizer more prominently featured on the B side of the record. Despite the success of this record, Brother Bones himself remained relatively unknown.[
Sweet Georgia Brown
Brother Bones Lyrics
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I don't know but it sounds to me like that's whistling man Mr. Bones.
Sure having himself a ball.
Yes, that was that cat alright.
The lyrics capture the joy and excitement of seeing a street performer, in this case, Brother Bones and his whistling rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown". The dialogue between the two speakers adds a conversational element to the song, almost as if the performers are interacting directly with their audience. The use of the phrase "having himself a ball" emphasizes the joy and freedom that comes with playing music, especially in a public setting.
Furthermore, the lyrics also highlight the power of music to bring people together. The fact that the performers are able to draw in a crowd, despite being strangers to the two speakers, demonstrates the universal appeal of music. Additionally, the song pays homage to the cultural significance of "Sweet Georgia Brown" as a jazz standard, a song that has been covered by countless artists over the years, including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man who's that cat coming down the street?
Who is that person walking down the street?
I don't know but it sounds to me like that's whistling man Mr. Bones.
I can't tell who it is, but I hear someone whistling and it might be Mr. Bones.
Sure having himself a ball.
He is certainly enjoying himself.
Yes, that was that cat alright.
Yes, it was definitely him.
Writer(s): Kenneth Casey, Maceo Pinkard, Ben Bernie
Contributed by Lila J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-qx4pz8dc9g
Society is so jaded and hopeless and unfair and uncaring, this music is the perfect remedy for your troubled soul 😇🙏
@kennethdegruchy5503
I love this arrangement of Sweet Georgia Brown because it is indelibly stored in my mind with the black & white filmed images of the Globetrotters moving through a city environment handling the ball as much more than basketball players. They are acrobats of the highest caliber.
@guyfaux3978
Meadowlark, Curly, all the rest o' y'all-- we all miss you...
@haroldwestbrook2348
Goose Tatum
@lizlee6290
Awww, memories of playing this in high school pep band! At a basketball game, of course - part of our basketball game repertoire.
@davidwesley2525
This is the BEST & Definitive version.
No Contest
🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩💘💘💘💘💘💘💘
@ROHM53
Although the original version of Sweet Georgia Brown was composed in 1925 by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard. This updated version that was put out in 1949 and recorded by Brother Bones and His Shadows is by far my personal favorite.
This same Brother Bones version is one of the most popular. It was also later adopted as the theme song of The Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 1952.
@user-lc1pk8hy2q
I JUST LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@video_game_dude
He's spinning the ball on his finger, just take it, take the ball!
@Bigol_Jimbo
Gotta love youtube giving the ad money to the wrong licensor, considering this is definitely not the Carroll Brother's version