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.
Razzle Dazzle
Ella Mae Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get set (get set!)
Now ready (ready!) go!
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
If it's all night long
Now here's a dance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Everyone can do (a-waka-do, waka-do)
It's the hipster's dance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Won't you take a chance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
This is all you do (a-waka-do, waka-do)
You just take your baby
Don't you leave that spot
Then you dance like crazy
Give it all you got
That's the razzle dazzle
If your ready or not
On your mark (on your mark)
Get set (get set)
Now ready (ready) go!
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
If it's all night long
Let's get together (get together)
One, two and three (one, two and three)
Jumping to the setter (to the setter)
Just you and me (just you and me)
Put your best foot forward (waka-do, waka-do)
Baby can't you see (baby can't you see)
When you hear them holler
And you ain't nowhere
Honey, you just foller
Cause we're sure not square
That's the razzle dazzle
Well, it's everywhere
On your mark (on your mark)
Get set (get set)
Now ready (ready) go!
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
If it's all night long
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
A-going on and off
If it's all night long
That's the razzle dazzle
Razzle dazzle song
The lyrics of "Razzle Dazzle" by Ella Mae Morse are an invitation to dance, specifically to the Razzle Dazzle, a dance that the singer claims "everyone can do". It's a call to action, asking the listeners to join in the fun and "give it all you got". The Razzle Dazzle is portrayed as a simple dance that even "square cats" can do, emphasizing the universal appeal of the dance.
The song is also about the social element of dancing, and it encourages listeners to get together and enjoy the company of others. The lyrics suggest that dancing is a way to connect with others, and it's something that can keep going "all night long". The phrase "On your mark, get set, now ready, go" reinforces the idea that dancing is a game that anyone can join in.
Overall, the song is an upbeat and joyful celebration of dancing and the sense of community it can create. It's a reminder that sometimes the simple things in life, like dancing and spending time with others, can bring us the most pleasure.
Line by Line Meaning
On your mark (on your mark!)
Get ready to begin
Get set (get set!)
Prepare yourself
Now ready (ready!) go!
Start now
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
Everyone dance with energy and flashiness
If it's all night long
We will continue this all night
Now here's a dance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Here is a type of dance
Everyone can do (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Anyone can participate
It's the hipster's dance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
This dance is popular among the hip crowd
And the square cats too (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Even those who are uncool can join in
Won't you take a chance (a-waka-do, waka-do)
Why not give it a try
This is all you do (a-waka-do, waka-do)
The dance is very simple
You just take your baby
Bring your partner
Don't you leave that spot
Stay in place
Then you dance like crazy
Dance with enthusiasm
Give it all you got
Put in your full effort
That's the razzle dazzle
That is the flashy, energetic style we're going for
If your ready or not
Whether you are prepared or not
Let's get together (get together)
Let us join as a group
One, two and three (one, two and three)
Counting off to begin the dance
Jumping to the setter (to the setter)
Jumping to the beat of the music
Just you and me (just you and me)
Only us two
Put your best foot forward (waka-do, waka-do)
Do your best
Baby can't you see (baby can't you see)
Do you understand
When you hear them holler
When you hear people cheering
And you ain't nowhere
When you feel lost
Honey, you just foller
Just join in and follow along
Cause we're sure not square
We are not boring or conventional
Well, it's everywhere
This exciting style is present everywhere
Everybody razzle dazzle (3x)
Everyone dance with energy and flashiness
A-going on and off
Happening sporadically
That's the razzle dazzle
That is the flashy, energetic style we're going for
Razzle dazzle song
A song about a flashy, energetic style of dancing
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles E. Calhoun
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eldo Bastos
Great !!! Rock And Roll is 4ever.
Eldo Bastos
Thanks for the video.
JR
Great song
Kyohei Matsumoto
こんなイケてる曲が10年で4500回くらいの再生ってのが悲しい😂