Smack Dab in the Middle
Count Basie Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Williams Lyrics
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Where people like a rockin time
And stay awake both day and night
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
I wanna be smack dab in the middle now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
One hundred beds with chorus girls
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now listen boys throw me
Smack dab in the middle right now
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
That's all right!
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
Alright!
The song "Smack Dab in the Middle" is a fun and upbeat tune about enjoying life to the fullest, with a focus on music, material success, and pleasure. The verses describe various desirable possessions and experiences, such as ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill, ten suits of clothes, barbecue, and fifty young women. The singer imagines himself in the middle of all these things, ready to rock and roll and enjoy his soul. The chorus repeats the longing to be in the middle of the action, with an energetic call-and-response section between the lead singer and the backup singers.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a celebration of the American Dream, with an emphasis on the pursuit of material wealth, status, and pleasure. The song captures the spirit of the postwar era, when many Americans were enjoying newfound prosperity and indulging in consumer culture. The upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation further convey the sense of exuberance and joy that pervades the song.
Overall, "Smack Dab in the Middle" is a playful and entertaining tune that celebrates living life to the fullest. It embodies the spirit of an era when people were eager to embrace new horizons and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick me a town in any clime
Choose a place in any climate
Where people like a rockin time
Where the people like to have a good time
And stay awake both day and night
And stay up all night and day
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Until everyone is feeling good and happy
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Then put me right in the middle of it
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I want to be right in the middle of it
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
Right in the middle, boys, Ahhhhh!
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
So I can dance and sing to make myself happy
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond factory
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
Ten fancy suits to look great
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
A ten-room house with a barbecue
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
And fifty young women not older than twenty-two
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Oh, I want to be right in the middle of it
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
Ahhhhh, now boys, you understand why
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
So I can dance and sing to make myself happy
One hundred beds with chorus girls
One hundred beds with women who sing
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A street made of real pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
A wagon with lots of investments
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then have access to the gold at Fort Knox
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I want to be right in the middle of it
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
Throw me in the middle of it right now
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
So Ray can dance and sing to make himself happy
That's all right!
That's fine!
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
Lots of bread and lots of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Lots of butter and something sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Lots of coffee to drink with it
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Soda by the pound
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
I imagine myself right in the middle of it
Alright!
That's great!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES E CALHOUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this song might be the best I've ever heard. Amazing!
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this is just sensational. Count Basie was the best!!!
Perry Wiggins
What ever mood I might be in this version Joe Williams/ Count Base’s “ SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE “ is like a double espresso of enthusiasm as I cruse through my day 😊
salinas victor
Excelente 😁
SpiralBlue Andromeda
How so wonderful William!
Thank you so very much my dear friend for sharing all this magic with us!
❀☀*•.¸¸.•*ஜீ❄☼۞✿⌘✽ஜீ۩☮۩ஜீ✽⌘✿۞☼❄ஜீ*•.¸¸.•*☀❀
J0lker
Awesome scene in Billions!
Cameron McCarty
I can imagine this being in Fallout 4
Keith Alderton
This is the wrong LP sleeve shown for this song. It is track 2 on the "One O'Clock Jump " album from 1957. "The Greatest !!" was four albums before released in 1956.
THE OLD GODS
Fattest Basie w/vocals stack baby, best ever-
Dan_D_Baker Cigar & Bourbon lover
Chuck Rhodes brought me here..