The Ram Jam Band were formed around 196… Read Full Bio ↴Geno brings the party to you
The Ram Jam Band were formed around 1964 and evolved out of a group called Les Blues who were formed to rival a English group with a Black American singer called Milton And The Continentals. Before taking on Geno Washington, they had been backing a British Blues singer by the name of Errol Dixon. Their first single featuring Dixon, "Shake, Shake, Senora" / "Akinla" released on Columbia had sunk without a trace.
Geno Washington was a U.S. airman stationed in East Anglia who became well known for his impromptu performances in London nightclubs. In 1965, guitarist Pete Gage needed a singer front his new band and replace the previous singer Errol Dixon, and asked Washington to join and the latter was discharged from the U.S. Air force, he became the band's frontman.
The band broke up in the autumn of 1969 and the band members went their own ways while Geno Washington continued as a solo artist before returning to the United States.
Raise Your Hand
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hon, that you've never, ever, ever had.
I know you've never had it.
Oh, honey, don't you just sit there cryin',
Don't just sit there feelin' bad.
No, no, no.
You'd better get up,
And raise you hand!
I said raise your hand, hey.
You know I'm standin' about, yes I am.
Want to give you all my love.
Oh, honey, won't you come on and open up,
I said, open up your heart.
Please, let me try.
You'd better to be good.
Don't ya understand ?
Raise your hand.
I said, raise your hand,
Right here, right now, c'mon!!
Whoaaaaah, oh yeah!!
If there's anything you need,
Honey, that you ever, ever, ever try,
I want you to give it up
I said to give it all, don't you know that you have.
You'd better be good.
Don't ya understand,
Raise your hand.
I said, raise your hand,
Raise it,
Raise it,
Raise it,
Raise,
Alright!!
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa, hon
Whoa, yeah
Whoa, hon
Whoa, yeah
I said every day when I go out
I said I want to move.
Every day when I go out
I tell ya I want to groove.
3-day ticket
I said move, yeah
Said move now
Move, yeah
Whoa
Honey, I want you to come along
And raise your hand.
Babe, I want you to come along,
Raise your hand.
If you know where you belong
I'll tell you
Here
And now
Said here and now
Said here now, now, now, now, now, now, now!
Raise your hand, yeah.
Raise your hand, yeah.
Raise your hand, yeah.
Raise your hand, yeah.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Raise your hand.
Hey, hey, hey, get it up now!
Hey, hey, get it up now!
Hey, hey, get it up now!
Hey, hey, get it up!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand, yeah!
Yeah!
Whoa!!
In these lyrics, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band are encouraging someone to take action and to not just sit around feeling sorry for themselves. The singer notes that the person they are addressing has never had something that they need, but rather than continuing to dwell on that fact, they need to get up and try to make it happen. They implore the person to raise their hand and take action. The singer then offers their love and support, asking the person to open up their heart and try to make a change. The chorus repeats the message of raising one's hand and taking action.
The song can be interpreted as a call to action for the listener or even as a motivational piece for the band themselves. The repeated chorus of "Raise your hand" is a catchy rallying cry that encourages movement and change. The upbeat tempo and energetic delivery of the lyrics further reinforce this message.
Interestingly, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band's version of "Raise Your Hand" is a cover of a song originally performed by Eddie Floyd. The song has been covered by a number of artists over the years, including Janis Joplin, who included a live version of the song on her album "I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!" The song has been a popular staple at live shows for many artists, due in part to its upbeat and catchy nature.
Line by Line Meaning
If there's anythin' that you need,
Hon, that you've never, ever, ever had.
If you lack anything that you need in your life and you never had it before.
I know you've never had it.
I understand that you never experienced it.
Oh, honey, don't you just sit there cryin',
Don't just sit there feelin' bad.
My dear, please don't just continue to cry and be upset.
You'd better get up,
Now do you understand,
And raise you hand!
I said raise your hand, hey.
You need to rise and comprehend what I’m saying, and raise your hand, as in agreeing with me.
You know I'm standin' about, yes I am.
Want to give you all my love.
I’m around, wanting to give you my all-encompassing love.
Oh, honey, won't you come on and open up,
I said, open up your heart.
Please, let me try.
Please, dear, allow me to come in and open your heart, give me a chance to help.
You'd better to be good.
Don't ya understand ?
Raise your hand.
It would be best if you listen carefully and support me.
Right here, right now, c'mon!!
Do it now, and do it here with me.
If there's anything you need,
Honey, that you ever, ever, ever try,
I want you to give it up
I said to give it all, don't you know that you have.
If you require anything in life, let it all out as you’ve been holding it in for so long.
You'd better be good.
Don't ya understand,
Raise your hand.
Comprehend my message well and give me your support.
Raise it,
Alright!!
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Ha wah do wah
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa, hon
Whoa, yeah
Raise your hand and acknowledge me, alright! Let’s make it funky with some vocalization. Whoa!
I said every day when I go out
I said I want to move.
Every day when I go out
I tell ya I want to groove.
Every day of my life, I aspire to move forward in life and feel the rhythm around me.
3-day ticket
I said move, yeah
Said move now
Move, yeah
Whoa
I’m here with a three-day ticket, so let's move right now! Let’s get into the groove! Whoa!
Honey, I want you to come along
And raise your hand.
Babe, I want you to come along,
Raise your hand.
Darling, come with me and show your agreement by raising your hand.
If you know where you belong
I'll tell you
Here
And now
Said here and now
Said here now, now, now, now, now, now, now!
If you understand your rightful place in life, let me tell you that it’s here and now! Yes, right here, right now!
Raise your hand, yeah.
Raise your hand, yeah.
Affirm me and raise your hand with a “Yeah”.
Hey, hey, hey, get it up now!
Come on, live up to it!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand!
Raise your hand, yeah!
Raising your hand is goddamn important here! So do it, and do it now.
Yeah!
Whoa!!
Yes! Whoa, that was amazing!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, STEVE CROPPER, ALVERTIS ISBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind