Not a suprise on an album heavily influenced by delta blues, the opening bars of Sure 'Nuff 'n Yes I Do are based on the delta blues standard Rollin’ and Tumblin’ (also known as If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day). The opening lyric, «Well I was born in the desert(...)», quotes New Minglewood Blues, an early version of Rollin’ and Tumblin’ by Cannon's Jug Stompers. Don Van Vliet was actually born in the Mojave Desert.
Captain Beefheart's debut album is also famous for being produced by the 20-year-old Ry Cooder, and his influence – mainly the amazing slide guitar work throughout and especially on Sure 'Nuff 'n' Yes, I Do – was the template for his later solo work, as well as his guest work with the Rolling Stones and even early Little Feat.
Sure 'nuff 'n Yes I Do
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came up on a tornado sunlight in the sky
I went around all day with the moon sticking in my eye
Hey hey hey all you young girls wherever you're at
I got a brand new Cadillac I got a Ferrari too
Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do
Got the time to teach ya' now, bet you'll learn some too
Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do
Hey hey hey all you young girls whatever you do
Hey hey hey all you young girls whatever you do
Well come on by and see me I'll make it worth it to you
.....with me and I'll ..with me and you
Sleep with me and I'll sleep with me and you
Stick with me and I'll stick with me and you
The opening lines of the song, "Well I was born in the desert came on up from New Orleans," introduces the listener to the unique world that Captain Beefheart inhabits. The desert and New Orleans are both places with a rich musical tradition, and by mentioning them in the same breath the Captain is drawing attention to the diverse influences that have informed his music. The line, "Came up on a tornado sunlight in the sky," suggests that Captain Beefheart is referring to something mystical about his birth, as if he is a force of nature himself.
The next lines are addressed to young girls, who are invited to come and see the Captain's brand new Cadillac and Ferrari. This display of wealth is likely to impress the girls, but it is also a subtle way of flaunting the Captain's success as a musician. The repetition of "Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do" reinforces the Captain's confidence and swagger, as does the line "Got the time to teach ya' now, bet you'll learn some too." By offering to teach the girls something, he is positioning himself as a knowledgeable figure, someone who has achieved success and is now willing to impart his wisdom.
The final lines, "Sleep with me and I'll sleep with me and you, stick with me and I'll stick with me and you," are both playful and suggestive. On one level, the Captain is suggesting that he is a loyal and faithful partner. On another level, he is hinting at something more intimate, offering the listener the possibility of a physical relationship. This ambiguity is one of the hallmarks of Captain Beefheart's music, as he blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I was born in the desert came on up from New Orleans
I come from a unique background and have experienced many different places.
Came up on a tornado sunlight in the sky
I had a powerful arrival that includes hope and positivity.
I went around all day with the moon sticking in my eye
My journey has been long and tiring, but there is a sense of wonder in everything I see.
Hey hey hey all you young girls wherever you're at
I am calling out to all the young girls, no matter where they may be.
I got a brand new Cadillac I got a Ferrari too
I am successful and wealthy, and want to impress those around me.
Sure 'nuff baby sure 'nuff 'n yes I do
I am confident in myself and my possessions, and want to show them off.
Got the time to teach ya' now, bet you'll learn some too
I have wisdom to impart and believe that others can benefit from it.
Hey hey hey all you young girls whatever you do
I am still addressing the young girls, encouraging them to seek me out regardless of their pursuits.
Well come on by and see me I'll make it worth it to you
I am promising that if they come to me, I will reward them in some way.
.....with me and I'll ..with me and you
Come and connect with me, and we can enjoy something special together.
Sleep with me and I'll sleep with me and you
I am suggesting that we could have a physical relationship.
Stick with me and I'll stick with me and you
If we form a bond, we can rely on each other for mutual support.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DON VAN VLIET, HERB BERMANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@landingharmonically
[Verse 1]
Well I was born in the desert, came on up from New Orleans
Came upon a tornado, sun not in the sky
I waited 'round all day with the moon stickin' in my eye
[Verse 2]
Hey hey hey, all you young girls, wherever you're at
I got a brand new Cadillac, got a Ferrari too
Sure 'nuff, baby, sure 'nuff 'n yes I do
[Verse 3]
Got the time to teach ya' now, I'll bet you'll learn some too
Got the time to teach ya' now, bet you'll learn some too
Sure 'nuff, baby, sure 'nuff 'n yes I do
[Verse 4]
Hey hey hey, all you young girls, whatever you do
Hey hey hey, all you young girls, whatever you do
Well, come on by and see me, I'll make it worth it to you
[Outro]
...with me and I'll stick with you
Sleep with me and I'll sleep with me and you
Stick with me and I'll stick with me and you
@ElSantoLuchador
Entry level Beefheart. This is the song to recommend to all your friends who either haven't been exposed to Captain Beefheart yet, as well as those that have, but wonder WTF it was they were even listening to. Don't start with Trout Mask Replica or you'll lose them from the start. You have to build up to it.
@user-ch4et9gw4k
I have started with Replica.. thought to myself "ok, give me your avantguarde, I can chew on that stuff easily". That was an incautious decision
@alfredfind1219
I started with Trout Mask Replica and I can definitely see your point. I was into avantgarde stuff before that as well though, so it wasn't that bad.
@fujifilm5127
Captain Beefheart fans when one of his songs is remotely listenable.
@alfredfind1219
@@fujifilm5127 Haha nice
@Errickfoxy
For real, true. I tried to listen to Tout Mask Replica branching off from Frank Zappa, and to me it was a cacophonous mess. There may be musical art there, but it was beyond me. Probably still is at this point, but this is more approachable.
@georgeharrison70
My God.....1967 was an amazing year for music.
@Noodles37UK
+georgeharrison70 Agreed.
@619Nio
music... cars... better year all around :)
@eyeship6037
1967 Black Sabbath and 1968 Led Zep, what do you need more ?!