In 1913 at the age of ten, Buck Washington joined John W. Sublett, later known as "Bubbles" who was one year older and an astonishing career began. Buck & Bubbles teamed up in Indianapolis, with Bubbles singing and dancing, and Buck accompanying on piano. After winning several amateur contests, they played professional engagements in Louisville, Kentucky (often in blackface), Detroit, Michigan, and New York City. Audiences were thrilled with Buck and Bubbles's singing, dancing, and comedy routine, with Buck's variations in tempo that forced Bubbles to quickly adapt.
By 1922, they performed at New York's Palace Theatre, the nation's top vaudeville venue. They broke color barriers by headlining the white vaudeville circuit across the U. S., and were featured in several Broadway revues in the 1920s and 1930s. Stage success resulted in roles in such movies as Varsity Show (1937) and A Song is Born (1948). Buck and Bubbles performed together until shortly before Buck Washington died in 1955.
Save the Roach for Me
Buck Washington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say I'm foolish as can be
They just jealous 'cause I've been in the backyard smoking weed
See I can play the piano
And I'm pretty good on the stage
It ain't low life I'll tell you why
Come outside blowin' gaze
Diggin' here what a nigger can
A big fat stick of weed will make me grin
You take that reefer and give me the gin
Folks say that I am lonesome
They are blue as I can be
Well if you're smoking that jive when I pass by
Please save the roach for me
Folks say that I am lonesome
They are blue as I can be
Well if you're smoking that jive when I pass by
Please save the roach for me
Buck Washington's song "Save The Roach For Me" is a humorous and playful tune that references smoking weed and drinking Gin and Coca-Cola. The song starts with Buck Washington acknowledging that people think he's crazy and foolish for smoking weed in his backyard. He suggests that people might be jealous of him because he can play the piano and is pretty good on stage. He then goes on to sing about his love for marijuana and gin and mentions how a big fat stick of weed will make him grin.
The song is a classic example of the blues genre, which is marked by its focus on everyday struggles, which often involve alcohol, drugs, and relationships. The playful nature of the lyrics and their focus on illegal activities is typical of the genre, as it often served as an outlet for people's frustrations and struggles. Buck Washington's song showcases the simple pleasures of life and the joys of indulging in illicit activities, which would have been relatable to many people during the time it was released.
In sum, "Save The Roach For Me" is a humorous and playful blues song that celebrates the joy of smoking weed and drinking gin and Coca-Cola, while also poking fun at societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Folks think that I'm crazy
People believe I am insane
Say I'm foolish as can be
They describe me as unintelligent
They just jealous 'cause I've been in the backyard smoking weed
Their negative opinion of me stems from their envy of my enjoyable activities
See I can play the piano
I possess the talent to perform on the musical instrument, the piano
And I'm pretty good on the stage
I display competence while performing on stage
It ain't low life I'll tell you why
I affirm it is not a low social status and I will explain why
Come outside blowin' gaze
Let's exit and smoke cannabis
Gin and Coca-Cola, Cocaa Cola and gin
I enjoy drinking two mixed alcoholic beverages, gin and Coca-Cola
Diggin' here what a nigger can
I am demonstrates my abilities
A big fat stick of weed will make me grin
Smoking a large joint of marijuana will make me happy
You take that reefer and give me the gin
I would prefer the alcoholic drink gin over the marijuana joint
Folks say that I am lonesome
People claim that I feel lonely
They are blue as I can be
They feel very sad and depressed
Well if you're smoking that jive when I pass by
If you are smoking marijuana when I walk by
Please save the roach for me
Please save the end of the joint for me
Contributed by Cooper T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tetrahedronify
"A big old fat stick of tea" My grandfather lived in Tampa in the late 1930's for some time. He told me he played saxaphone with some older jazz guys, and before they played, they would "send somebody down to the docks to pick up a stick of tea", and that they would roll it up and smoke it before they played.
@ironlionzion2265
whos here from Grass is Greener on Netflix
@HermanCaesar
Me, Lmaooo. This the first one i typed in 😂😂😂
@213mug
Guilty
@esifante7391
Yep
@marcelodaneriperez6128
Me!!
@moparky43
I'm here now
@WildBillCox13
Wonderful song and, after 40 years of "playing out" on the piano, I must say he nailed it.
@sistertracy-thechurchofroc6574
We love playing these great old "weed songs" during our "Smoke break" segment on THE CHURCH OF ROCK FM radio 📻 show every Sunday evening from 6-8pm PST. ALL RnR related bsides from the 20's to NOW!
@pachoogana
Love this song. What a performer.