Despite characterizing jazz as "Entartete musik", ironically the Third Reic… Read Full Bio ↴Despite characterizing jazz as "Entartete musik", ironically the Third Reich had their own swing band for propaganda purposes. German propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels conceived of using the style in short wave radio broadcasts aimed at the United States and particularly the United Kingdom. British listeners heard the band every Wednesday and Saturday at around 9 pm.

The purpose of the band was to stir pro-Nazi sympathy, draw attention to World War II Allied losses, and carry Adolf Hitler's messages in an entertaining form. The songs stressed how badly the war was going for the target audience, and how it was only going to be a matter of time before they would be beaten.

Led by German accented front man Karl Schwedler ("Charlie"), conducted by Lutz Templin, and paced by drummer Fritz "Freddie" Brocksieper, the band included Kurt Abraham on reeds and Willy Berking on trombone. The group formed in 1940, making over 90 recordings between March 1941 and February 1943. Arrangements were by Templin, Willy Berking, and Franz Mück, with lyrics written by the Propagandaministerium. Schwedler was allowed permission to travel to neutral and occupied countries to collect jazz and dance music, which helped the band and propaganda ministry to craft more recordings.

Popular American swing songs - and popular British tunes/songs - were initially performed true to the original, until about the second or third verse which were replaced by pro-German lyrics and monologues. For example, in the tune You're Driving Me Crazy, Schwedler croons about the confusion of new love, and in the third verse continues: Here is Winston Churchill's latest tear-jerker: Yes, the Germans are driving me crazy / I thought I had brains / But they shot down my planes..." Later, the entire lyric would be modified, clearly based on the original. The band even recorded some "cover versions" of the originals, unaltered.

Indeed, anecdotal accounts indicate that Winston Churchill enjoyed the broadcasts, finding the lyrics hilarious.

Many of the members of Charlie and his Orchestra went on to successful careers in music after the war.

Hold Tight
Charlie and His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama
Shrimpers and rice they're very nice
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama
Steamers and sauce and then of course I like oysters lobsters too

And I like my tasty butter fish
When I come home from work at night
I get my favorite dish, fish!
Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight

Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
Want some seafood Mama

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Charlie and His Orchestra's song "Hold Tight" are an ode to the joys of seafood. The repeated phrase of "hold tight" acts as both a command to the listener to pay attention and a reinforcement of the singer's desire for more seafood. The nonsensical phrase "foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki" adds to the playful, almost childlike quality of the song. The singer then goes on to express his love for various types of seafood, including shrimp, rice, oysters, lobsters, and butter fish. The mention of coming home from work at night and getting his favorite dish adds a personal touch to the song, helping the listener to connect more to the singer and his love for seafood.

Overall, the song can be seen as a lighthearted celebration of the pleasures of life. It encourages the listener to enjoy themselves, to hold tight to whatever brings them joy, and to savor the moments of pleasure in life.

Line by Line Meaning

Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Be patient and wait eagerly for your wishes to come true without giving up.

Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
A meaningless phrase used to fill gaps or create rhymes in the song.

Want some seafood Mama
Someone is craving for some seafood, probably alive with freshness.

Shrimpers and rice they're very nice
Shrimps cooked with rice make a delicious meal.

Steamers and sauce and then of course I like oysters lobsters too
I prefer seafood that is steamed and eaten with sauce, and I enjoy oysters and lobsters as well.

And I like my tasty butter fish
I have a liking for butter fish which is flavorsome.

When I come home from work at night
After returning home from work in the evening.

I get my favorite dish, fish!
I get to enjoy my favorite meal which is fish.

Hold tight hold tight hold tight hold tight
Be persistent and wait patiently for your desires to manifest without losing hope.

Foo-ra-de-ack-a-sa-ki
A phrase with no meaning used to fill gaps or create rhythms in the song.

Want some seafood Mama
The craving for a meal of fresh seafood continues.

Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Earl C Hines

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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