They`re Red Hot
Eric Clapton 2004 / Me & Mr. Johnson Lyrics
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Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
I got a girl, say she long and tall
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime
Would sell you more, but they ain't none of mine
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got'em for sale, yes, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
I got a letter from a girl in the room
Now she got something good she got to bring home soon, now
It's hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got em for sale (they're too hot boy)
The billy got back in a bumble bee nest
Ever since that he can't take his rest, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes you got'em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Man don't mess around em hot tamales now 'cause they too black bad,
If you mess around 'em hot tamales
I'm gonna upset your backbone, put your kidneys to sleep
I'll due to break away your liver and dare your heart to beat 'bout my
Hot tamales 'cause they red hot, yes they got em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
You know grandma loves them and grandpa too
Well I wonder what in the world we children gonna do now
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Me and my babe bought a V-8 Ford
Well we wind that thing all on the runnin' board, yes
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes she got'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale (they're too hot boy!)
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes, now she got em for sale
You know the monkey, now the baboon playin' in the grass
Well the monkey stuck his finger in that old 'Good Gulf Gas', now
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes she got'em for sale, yeah
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
I got a girl, say she long and tall
Sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall, yes
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale, I mean
Yes she got'em for sale, yeah
The song "They’re Red Hot" is a blues standard originally written by Robert Johnson in the 1930s. Eric Clapton covered the song for his tribute album to Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson, in 2004. The lyrics describe the singer's love for hot tamales and the woman who sells them. He uses metaphor and playful language to appeal to the listener's senses and draw them into his world.
The first verse sets the stage for the song, introducing the hot tamales and the woman who sells them. The singer describes her as having "got 'em for sale," emphasizing the commercial aspect of the interaction. In the next verse, he shares a personal detail about his life, mentioning his girlfriend who is "long and tall" and sleeps in the kitchen with her "feets in the hall." This creates an image in the listener's mind of a cramped living space and conveys a sense of humor and playfulness.
The next verses continue the theme of the hot tamales, with the singer giving details about the price and quality of the product. He also mentions a letter from a girl who he hopes will bring him some tamales, further emphasizing the importance of this food in his life. The final verses lighten the mood again, with the singer referencing a billy goat who can't rest after eating too many hot tamales and warning the listener not to mess around with them too much.
Line by Line Meaning
Hot tamales and they're red hot, yes she got'em for sale
The girl is selling hot and spicy tamales.
I got a girl, say she long and tall
She sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall
The singer has a girlfriend who is tall and quirky, as evidenced by her odd sleeping arrangements.
She got two for a nickel, got four for a dime
Would sell you more, but they ain't none of mine
The girl is willing to sell tamales at a good price, but cannot offer more than what she has.
I got a letter from a girl in the room
Now she got something good she got to bring home soon, now
The singer received a letter from someone promising to bring something good to share later.
The billy got back in a bumble bee nest
Ever since that he can't take his rest, yeah
Someone named Billy disturbed a bee's nest and cannot sleep because he is being stung.
Man don't mess around em hot tamales now 'cause they too black bad,
If you mess around 'em hot tamales
I'm gonna upset your backbone, put your kidneys to sleep
I'll due to break away your liver and dare your heart to beat 'bout my
Hot tamales 'cause they red hot, yes they got em for sale, I mean
Yes, she got em for sale, yeah
The singer warns against messing with the hot tamales for fear of retaliation, making use of vivid and violent imagery.
You know grandma loves them and grandpa too
Well I wonder what in the world we children gonna do now
Even the older generation loves the hot tamales, so the younger generation is left wondering what to do.
Me and my babe bought a V-8 Ford
Well we wind that thing all on the runnin' board, yes
The singer and his girlfriend bought a V-8 Ford and enjoy riding on the running board.
You know the monkey, now the baboon playin' in the grass
Well the monkey stuck his finger in that old 'Good Gulf Gas', now
A monkey and a baboon are playing in the grass, and the monkey got into some gasoline.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Robert Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind