What'd I Say
Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran Lyrics


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Hey mama don't you do me wrong
Come and love your daddy all night long
Oh yes ma'm, you don't do right, don't do right, yeah-yeah
Tell your mama, tell your pa
Gonna send you back to Arkansas
Oh yes ma'm, you don't do right, don't do right, yeah-yeah
See the gal with the diamond ring
She really knows how to shake that thing
Oh yes ma'm, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, oh—oh-oh

Wow! See tha gal with the red dress on
She can do the boogie woogie all night long
Oh yes ma'm, what'd I say, what'd I say, yeah-yeah
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say




Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say, yeah-yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "What'd I Say" by Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran is a classic blues rock and roll song that involves the duet between two male vocalists, where they talk about their experiences of watching women dance and perform. The first verse is essentially a plea to a woman to come to her daddy all night long and love him, but warns that if she doesn't behave right, she may be sent back to Arkansas.


The second verse talks about the gal with the diamond ring who really knows how to shake that thing, and this emphasizes on the theme of dancing and performance. The chorus section "Wow! See that gal with the red dress on, she can do the boogie woogie all night long" is the most memorable part of the song, and it clarifies the central theme of the song, which is dancing. It is also a direct reference to Ray Charles' similar song called "What'd I Say" that was released in 1959.


Overall, the lyrics of the song are upbeat, fun, and are seen as a classic of the era. The emphasis is not on storytelling, but rather on the beat, the sound, and the experience of music. The song is a great example of the spirit of rock and roll in the 1950s, with an infectious rhythm and catchy melodies that take hold of the listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey mama don't you do me wrong
I am requesting that you, dear Mother, refrain from treating me in an unfavorable manner.


Come and love your daddy all night long
Please engage in intimacy with me for the entirety of the evening.


Oh yes ma'm, you don't do right, don't do right, yeah-yeah
Indeed, you are not behaving properly, not behaving accordingly, yes indeed.


Tell your mama, tell your pa
I implore you to inform your mother and father.


Gonna send you back to Arkansas
If no action is taken to correct this situation, I will have no choice but to return you to your home state of Arkansas.


See the gal with the diamond ring
Observe the female individual donning a ring made of diamonds.


She really knows how to shake that thing
She possesses knowledge of how to move her body in a rhythmic manner.


Oh yes ma'm, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, oh—oh-oh
Yes, this is correct. Oh yes indeed, oh my.


Wow! See tha gal with the red dress on
How astonishing! Take notice of the female individual adorned in a red-colored dress.


She can do the boogie woogie all night long
She is capable of performing a lively dance style known as the boogie woogie throughout the entirety of the evening.


Oh yes ma'm, what'd I say, what'd I say, yeah-yeah
Oh my goodness, affirmative. I did indeed say that.


Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Repeat back to me what I just communicated.


Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
I implore you once more to relay to me what I have just spoken.


Tell me what'd I say, yeah-yeah
I request that you inform me of what I have said.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Carole Commander

So honoured that I met and interviewed Eddie February 7th 1960 - what a star and so genuine. Never to be forgotten.

sean Mitten

CAROLE , I AM 45 , LIVE IN LONDON BIG EDDIE FAN .... THINK HE'S AMAZING !! HE SEEMED SO GENUINE ETC , SO SAD HIS ENDING .. MEMORIES OF THE INTERVIEW ? THANKS , SEAN

Pierre Vanel

So lucky you were !

Bryant Hernandez

Wow!

HarryWebb46

I am so envious! To have met Eddie would be a dream fulfilled!

VeranzaTheKing2

Carole Commander would you kindly share with us details about it? so amazing

VeranzaTheKing2

53 years ago Eddie passed away. People still listen to him in 2013. You'Il never be forgotten Eddie! April 17th, 1960 April 17th, 2013

klaus fischer

...and in 2022 we will also be listening to Eddy until the lid closes

VeranzaTheKing2

Both here keep eddie rocking

Sven ?

Im here on April 17th 2021 61 years after he passed away

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