Ella Mae Morse was born in Mansfield, Texas, United States. She was hired by Jimmy Dorsey when she was 14 years old. Dorsey believed she was 19, and when he was informed by the school board that he was now responsible for her care, he fired her. In 1942, at the age of 17, she joined Freddie Slack's band, with whom in the same year she recorded "Cow Cow Boogie", Capitol Records' first gold single. "Mr. Five by Five" was also recorded by Morse with Slack, and they had a hit recording with the song in 1942 (Capitol 115). She also originated the wartime hit "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet", which was later popularized by Nancy Walker in the film, Broadway Rhythm.
In 1943, Morse began to record solo. She reached #1 in the R&B chart with "Shoo-Shoo Baby" in December for two weeks. In the same year she performed "Cow Cow Boogie" in the film Reveille with Beverly and starred in Universal's South of Dixie and The Ghost Catchers with Olsen and Johnson and How Do You Dooo? with radio's Mad Russian, Bert Gordon. She sang in a wide variety of styles, and she had hits on both the U.S. pop and rhythm and blues charts. However, she never received the popularity of a major star because her versatility prevented her from being placed into any one category of music.
The song "Love Me or Leave Me" as recorded by Morse was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 1922, with the flip side "Blacksmith Blues," which became her biggest hit.
In 1946, "House of Blue Lights" by Freddie Slack and Morse, (written by Slack and Raye) saw them perform what was one of many of Raye's songs picked up by black R&B artists. Her biggest solo success was "Blacksmith Blues" in 1952, which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The same year her version of "Down the Road a Piece" appeared on Capitol with Slack again on piano accompaniment. Morse also recorded a version of "Oakie Boogie" for Capitol which reached #23 in 1952. Her version was one of the first songs arranged by Nelson Riddle.
Morse ceased recording in 1957, but continued performing until the early 1990s at such clubs as Michael's Pub in New York, Ye Little Club in Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's Cinegrill and the Vine St. Bar and Grill. She appeared regularly at Disneyland for several years with the Ray McKinley Orchestra, and did a successful tour of Australia shortly before her final illness.
Her music career was profiled in Nick Tosches' 1984 book, The Unsung Heroes of Rock 'N' Roll: The Birth of Rock in the Wild Years Before Elvis. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street. Her entire recorded body of work was issued in a deluxe box set by Bear Family Records.
As Morse's musical style blended jazz, blues, and country, she has sometimes been called the first rock 'n' roll singer. A good example is her 1942 recording of the song "Get On Board, Little Chillun", which, with strong gospel, blues, boogie, and jive sounds as a genuine precursor to the later rockabilly/ rock 'n roll songs. Her records sold well to both Caucasian and African-American audiences. As she was not well known at the time of her first solo hits, many people assumed she was African-American because of her 'hip' vocal style and choice of material.
Morse had six children from two marriages, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and an estranged sister named Flo Handy, who was also a singer.
In 1999 Morse died of respiratory failure in Bullhead City, Arizona, aged 75.
Money Honey
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I let it ring for a long, long spell
I went to the window, I peeped through the blind
And asked him to tell me what's on his mind
He said
Money, honey
Money, honey
If you want to get along with me
Well, I screamed and I hollered, I was so hard pressed
I called the woman that I loved the best
I finally got my baby about half past three
She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me"
I said
Money, honey
Money, honey
Money, honey
If you want to get along with me
Well, I said, "Tell me baby, what's wrong with you?
From this day on our romance is through"
I said, "Tell me baby, face to face
How could another man take my place?"
She said
Money, honey
Money, honey
Money, honey
If you want to get along with me
Well, I've learned my lesson and now I know
The sun may shine and the winds may blow
The women may come and the women may go
But before I say I love you so
I want
Money, honey
Money, honey
Money, honey
If you want to get along with me
The lyrics of Ella Mae Morse’s song “Money Honey” portray the challenges faced by individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. The singer of the song has received a visit from her landlord who is demanding payment for rent due. The singer is unable to meet this demand and instead turns to her lover for help. It is evident that their relationship is predicated on the stability of their finances. She screams and hollers in desperation calling her lover to help her out of a hard spot.
The singer confronts her lover with her dilemma as he needs to help her ‘If you want to get along with me’. The lover initially seems unsure of what he could do about the situation. Unnerved by these discussions, he threatens to leave the singer. However, she successfully convinces him that although the situation might have been dire, their relationship is worth more than money. The singer declares that notwithstanding the challenges faced, love should always be the priority.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, the landlord rang my front door bell
The person telling the story hears the doorbell ring, which signals the arrival of the landlord.
I let it ring for a long, long spell
The person purposely waits before answering the door, maybe because they don't want to talk to the landlord.
I went to the window, I peeped through the blind
Instead of directly opening the door, the person checks who is outside by looking through the window blinds.
And asked him to tell me what's on his mind
The person asks the landlord to get to the point and tell them what he wants or needs so they can address it and get it over with.
Money, honey
The landlord responds to the question of what's on his mind with a simple answer: he needs money.
If you want to get along with me
The landlord implies that the person needs to provide him with financial compensation if they want to maintain a positive relationship.
Well, I screamed and I hollered, I was so hard pressed
The person telling the story is distressed about the financial obligation and expresses their frustration vocally.
I called the woman that I loved the best
The person turns to their significant other, who they love and trust, for support and advice on how to deal with the situation at hand.
I finally got my baby about half past three
The person's significant other arrives at the scene later in the day.
She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me"
The significant other is confused and needs clarification on what exactly the person needs from them.
I said Money, honey
The person communicates that the situation requires more money, despite the negative consequences it may have on their relationship.
Money, honey
The person reiterates to their significant other that the key to solving this problem is money.
If you want to get along with me
The person emphasizes that in order for the relationship to continue, there needs to be financial stability and fulfillment of the landlord's request for money.
Well, I said, "Tell me baby, what's wrong with you?
The person becomes frustrated with their significant other and begins to question if they are truly on the same page and if there are underlying issues they are not addressing.
From this day on our romance is through"
The person tells their significant other that their romantic relationship is over because they are not able to fulfill their financial responsibility.
I said, "Tell me baby, face to face
The person wants to have an in-person conversation with their significant other to discuss the ramifications of the financial strain on their relationship.
"How could another man take my place?"
The person is confused about how someone else could replace them and their role in the significant other's life.
She said Money, honey
The significant other responds that money is the solution to the problem and the key to salvaging their relationship.
Money, honey
The significant other agrees with the notion that more money is necessary to keep the relationship on track.
If you want to get along with me
The significant other reiterates that the person must step up financially if they want to have a successful relationship.
Well, I've learned my lesson and now I know
The person reflects on their experience and realizes what the financial implications of their actions are.
The sun may shine and the winds may blow
The person accepts that life has its ups and downs and that they must adapt as best they can.
The women may come and the women may go
The person understands that people come and go from their lives, but money remains a constant expectation to be fulfilled in order to have success.
But before I say I love you so
The person wants to make sure that their significant other understands the importance of finances and that this conversation is a crucial one before they can move on to discussing their love for each other.
I want Money, honey
The person concludes the song by reiterating that money is necessary for their relationship and agrees to meet the financial expectation to produce a positive outlook for the future.
Money, honey
The person repeats the phrase to drive home the point that financial stability and fulfilment is necessary to move on from this experience.
Contributed by Mackenzie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Watson
Been scrolling through Moms stuff all morning...thanks for all the comments...its good to know the memory of her songs won't be lost. But I miss my Mom!
ERROCKER
Is that you Aunty L? I don’t think the poster is related to us.
Love you Ganny B!
Cat Black
Love this ,,, play it on KMNO all the time :)
jazzmanzoot
Jump Blues at it`s Finest. Go Ella !
Robert Hendrickson
You could say she was Rock a Billie. Early Rock and Roll. She was great.
Angie D
Great version
rockake
Great backing from Big Dave Cavanaugh.
joe ok
Love it as much as Ry Cooder's version
DJ 1-800
This is a close 2nd to the original Drifters version. She's got a great voice and at times sounds like Clyde
Philip Nestor
Great sounding ride cymbal! Does anyone know who the drummer is on this song?