The Count Basie Orchestra is a 16 to 18 piece big band, one of the most prominent jazz performing groups of the swing era. The band survived the late-forties decline in big band popularity and went on to produce notable collaborations with singers such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald in the fifties and sixties. The group continued to perform and record as a ‘ghost band’ after Count Basie’s death, and are currently under the leadership of Bill Hughes.
See also http://www.last.fm/music/+noredirect/Count+Basie+and+His+Orchestra
Mama Don't Want No Peas 'N' Rice 'N' Coconut Oil
Count Basie & His Orchestra Lyrics
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Mama don't want no peas an' rice an' coconut oil,
Mama don't want no peas an' rice,
Mama don't want no coconut oil,
Just a bottle of brandy handy all the day!
Mama don't want no gin because it would make her sin,
Mama don't want no gin because it would make her sin,
Because it's bound to make her sin,
Says it keeps her hot and bothered all the day!
Mama complains she's got a pain across her chest,
Mama complains she's got a pain across her chest,
Mama complains she's got a pain,
And the reason is very plain,
And the fruit that papa gave her, it won't digest!
Mama she likes the rum, it fills her so with fun,
Mama she likes the rum, it fills her so with fun,
Mama she likes to have her rum,
She says it fills her so with fun,
It makes her feel like whoopee all the time!
Mama lay down last night to sleep, she says she's feeling cold,
Mama lay down last night to sleep, she says she's feeling cold,
Mama lay doen to sleep, we're told,
Mama was feeling very cold,
She says that papa must be getting old!
The lyrics to Count Basie & His Orchestra's "Mama Don't Want No Peas ‘N’ Rice ‘N’ Coconut Oil" are an insightful commentary on the personal taste and preferences of Mama. Mama is a woman who is set in her ways and knows exactly what she wants. She doesn't want any peas, rice, or coconut oil, but instead, she wants a bottle of brandy handy with her at all times. Mama is aware of the consequences of her actions and one of the reasons she doesn't drink gin is that she knows it'll make her sin.
Mama also complains about a pain across her chest, and the reason is primarily due to the fruit that papa gave her; it won't digest. Mama loves to drink rum as it fills her with joy and makes her feel like whoopee all the time. Mama is a woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind and make her needs known, even if it is to say that Papa is getting old.
Overall, the song is a humorous take on a woman who is not shy about expressing her preferences and the implications when those preferences aren't met. The jazz element adds to the light-heartedness of the song, making it an enjoyable listen.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama don't want no peas an' rice an' coconut oil,
Mother doesn't want any food consisting of peas, rice, and coconut oil
Just a bottle of brandy handy all the day!
Instead, she only desires to have a bottle of brandy with her all day
Mama don't want no gin because it would make her sin,
Mother refuses to drink any gin because it might lead her to sin
Mama don't want no glass o'gin,
She wants to stay away from gin altogether
Says it keeps her hot and bothered all the day!
Drinking gin would constantly arouse and excite her, which she doesn't want
Mama complains she's got a pain across her chest,
Mother expresses her discomfort with a sharp sensation felt in her chest area
And the fruit that papa gave her, it won't digest!
She believes her pain is due to indigestion caused by the fruit given to her by her husband
Mama she likes the rum, it fills her so with fun,
On the other hand, Mother enjoys drinking rum as it brings her joy
Mama she likes to have her rum,
She prefers having rum over other alcoholic drinks
It makes her feel like whoopee all the time!
Rum puts her in a happy and carefree mood constantly
Mama lay down last night to sleep, she says she's feeling cold,
Mother went to bed and mentions feeling chilly
She says that papa must be getting old!
She supposes that her husband's age is affecting his ability to keep her warm at night
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: L. WOLFE GILBERT, LEON CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind