Reefer Man
Cab Calloway Lyrics
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Must be full of reefer
Full of reefer
Yeah, man
You mean that cat's high?
Sailing
Sailing
Sailing lightly
Man, is that the reefer man
That's the reefer man
I believe he's losin' his mind
I think he's lost his mind
Oh, have you ever met that funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Have you ever met that funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
If he says he swam to China, and he sell you South Carolina
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man (reefer man)
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
If he said he walks the ocean, any time he takes the notion
Then you know you're talkin' to reefer man (reefer man)
Have you ever met this funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Oh, baby, baby, baby, reefer man (reefer man)
If he trades you dimes for nickels and calls watermelons pickles
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man (reefer man)
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
If he takes a sudden mania, wants to give you Pennsylvania
Then you know you're talkin' to reefer man
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Have you ever met funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
If he said one sweet is funny because he won't sell me Atlantic
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man
The lyrics to Cab Calloway & his Orchestra's song Reefer Man are about a man who is high on marijuana and acts in bizarre and erratic ways as a result. The opening lines of the song describe a cat who seems to be high on reefer, sailing lightly and losing his mind. This leads the singer to ask whether he is in the presence of the Reefer Man. The chorus of the song poses a series of questions asking whether the listener has ever met the Reefer Man and lists some of the outlandish things that he might say or do, such as claiming to have swam to China or wanting to give away Pennsylvania.
The lyrics of Reefer Man are an example of the use of coded language to talk about drug use in a time when marijuana was illegal and heavily stigmatized. The song was released in 1932, which was during the era of Prohibition and the war on drugs. While the language and context of the song are specific to this historical moment, it still speaks to some of the issues around drug use and criminalization that continue today.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, what's the matter with that cat there?
What is wrong with that person over there?
Must be full of reefer
He must be high on marijuana.
Full of reefer
He is heavily intoxicated with marijuana.
Yeah, man
I agree.
You mean that cat's high?
Are you saying that person is under the influence of marijuana?
Sailing
He is in a state of euphoria.
Sailing lightly
He is experiencing a mild high.
Get away from here
Leave this area immediately.
Man, is that the reefer man
Is that the supplier of marijuana?
That's the reefer man
Yes, that is the marijuana dealer.
I believe he's losin' his mind
I think he is becoming insane.
I think he's lost his mind
I believe he has gone crazy.
Oh, have you ever met that funny reefer man? (Reefer man)
Have you ever encountered the peculiar marijuana dealer?
If he says he swam to China, and he sell you South Carolina
If he claims he swam to China and offers to sell you South Carolina,
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man (reefer man)
You can be sure that you are conversing with the marijuana dealer.
If he said he walks the ocean, any time he takes the notion
If he says he walks on water whenever he feels like it,
Then you know you're talkin' to reefer man (reefer man)
You can be certain that you are speaking to the marijuana supplier.
Oh, baby, baby, baby, reefer man (reefer man)
Oh, my dear, marijuana dealer.
If he trades you dimes for nickels and calls watermelons pickles
If he exchanges dimes with nickels and refers to watermelons as pickles,
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man (reefer man)
It’s certain that you are interacting with the marijuana dealer.
If he takes a sudden mania, wants to give you Pennsylvania
If he suddenly wants to give you Pennsylvania,
Then you know you're talkin' to reefer man
Then, most likely, you are talking with the marijuana supplier.
If he said one sweet is funny because he won't sell me Atlantic
If he says one candy is inappropriate because he is not selling him Atlantic,
Then you know you're talkin' to that reefer man
It’s evident that you are talking with the marijuana dealer.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Razaf, J. Russel Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@suminaga3074
Lyrics.
"Man whats the matter with that cat there?"
"Must be full of reefer"
"Full of reefer?!"
"Yea man"
"You mean that cats high?!"
"Sailing"
"Sailing"
"Sailing lightly"
"Get away from here
Man is that the reefer man?"
"Thats the reefer man"
"I belive hes losing his mind"
"I think hes lost his mind!"
Oh have you ever met that funny reefer man (reefer man!)
Have you ever met that funny reefer man (reefer man!)
If he said he swam to china, and he sell you south carolina
Then you know your talkn to that reefer man
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
If he said he walks the ocean, any time he takes the notion
Then you know your talkn to reefer man.
Have you ever met this funny reefer man (reefer man!)
Oh baby baby baby reefer man reefer man
If he trades you dimes for nickles
And calls watermellons pickles
Then you know your talkn to that reefer man
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
If he takes a sudden mania
He'll want to give you Pennsylvania
Oh you know your talking to the reefer man
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
Have you ever met funny reefer man (reefer man!)
If he said one sweet is funny
Because he wont sell me atlantic
Then you know your talkin to that reefer man
Source: Musixmatch
@romipunz
when people say modern music is all about drugs and materialism, but the truth is music always has been.
@chillerstones3847
Everything anyone ever said or wrote is true. Jeez
@Cuttyboyz
Lol , people love weed
@tf2whackyengineer
I'm not sure how Reefer Man is about Materialism.
Minnie the Moocher, however...
@angelofdeath275
TheVibian drugs have always been apart of human history.
@DumbArse
90% of the eras music was about love, fucking and drugs just like nowadays but the difference is the choice of words. I can tell you "we fucked last night" or "our souls combined under the moons sweet light", it means the same thing in the end but tells a lot about you as a person
@yungsimmmie9835
"YOU MEAN THAT CAT'S HIGH?!"
@a.jcheshiremen7822
"Sailen."
@edgarbanuelos6472
+A.J Cheshiremen SAILEN?!
@a.jcheshiremen7822
+Harding Rull Lightly.