Roll 'Em Pete
Count Basie & Joe Williams Lyrics
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She lives up on the hill
Well, I got a gal
She lives up on the hill
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord
But I love her still
She's got eyes like diamonds
She's got eyes like diamonds
They shine like Klondike gold
Every time she loves me
She sends my mellow soul
Well, you're so beautiful
You've got to die someday
Well, you're so beautiful
You've got to die someday
All I want's a little loving
Just before you pass away
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away
And leave you by yourself
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away
And leave you by yourself
You've mistreated me
Now you can mistreat somebody else
The lyrics to Count Basie and Joe Williams's song "Roll 'Em Pete" reflects the narrative of a man who loves a woman who lives up on the hill but she's trying to quit him. Despite the woman's attempts to abandon the relationship, the man loves her still. He explains that the woman has eyes like diamonds and they shine like Klondike gold; every time she loves him, she sends his mellow soul. However, in acknowledging the inevitability of life, the man sings that the beautiful woman has to die someday. He says all he wants is a little loving before she passes away.
In the final verse of the song, the man tells the woman that he is going away and leaving her by herself because she mistreated him. He then says she can now mistreat somebody else. The song's lyrics convey a story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman who is trying to leave him. He expresses his love for her and hopes for some loving in return before she passes away.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I got a gal
I am with a girl
She lives up on the hill
She lives far from me
Well, this woman's tryin' to quit me, Lord
She's trying to leave me
But I love her still
But I still love her
She's got eyes like diamonds
Her eyes shine brightly
They shine like Klondike gold
They shine like gold found in Klondike
Every time she loves me
Whenever she loves me
She sends my mellow soul
She makes me feel calm and relaxed
Well, you're so beautiful
You are very attractive
You've got to die someday
But eventually, you will die
All I want's a little loving
All I want is a bit of love
Just before you pass away
Right before you die
Pretty baby, I'm goin' away
My dear, I'm leaving
And leave you by yourself
And leaving you alone
You've mistreated me
You have not treated me well
Now you can mistreat somebody else
So now you can treat someone else poorly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joe Turner, Pete K. H. Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raymondgill9796
So much more to these guys than their work on triangle with the Bonzos.
@kevinlowry3814
I had lunch with Joe in Vegas in ‘95.What a guy!
@kevingoins9858
The Count, Big Joe and a swingin' orchestra! Go guys go!
@johnjensen4984
Nummer one son ✊
Basie world Best Big band. 👏👏👏👏👏
@debrathompson4319
Man, do I miss them. Such wonderful music and that JW voice, nothing like it or him. He was a good friend in the 60’s and 70’s.
@joeemick1891
Love this guy an American icon
@mikebarat1950
Count Basie looks really relax playing that piano.
@FawleyJude
I love hearing Joe Williams singing the blues.
That's Sonny Payne on drums, one of the reasons the band swung so hard.
@jamescarey
Frank Wess on Flute. Is that Freddy Green on guitar??
@jamescarey
Man can they cook or what?