She moved to New York and became a recording vocalist with Harry James big band in 1937.
Her swing recordings with Harry James included "Jubilee", "I Can Dream Can't I", "That's The Dreamer In Me" and "Song Of The Wanderer".
Helen Humes became one of the vocalists with Count Basie's band in the late 1930s.
Her vocals with Basie's band included "Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea".
During the 1940s and 1950s Helen Humes became a solo performer and worked with different bands and other vocalists including Nat King Cole.
In 1950 Humes recorded Benny Carter's "Rock Me to Sleep". She managed to bridge the gap between big band jazz swing and rhythm and blues.
She moved to Hawaii and later to Australia.
Helen Humes died in Santa Monica, California.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Humes"
They raided the joint
Helen Humes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now some were playing blackjack, some were playing skin
I had plenty money but they wouldn't let me in
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
They treated me like a stranger, like a dirty dog
Ate up all the chops, gave me the tail of the hog
Then they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now they were drinking gin, drinking mighty fast
They offered me some King Kong [?], but I couldn't find a glass
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now some were drinking whiskey, some were drinking rhum
They had some sneaky peep but they wouldn't give me none
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner, knocked out as I could be
Now gee it sure was funny, the best I ever saw
They heard somebody knocking and in walked the law
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now they were dancing in the kitchen, boogin' in the hall
Boy down the cordon tell the judge about it all
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner, high as I could be
The song "They raided the joint" by Helen Humes tells the story of a person who witnesses a police raid at a gambling joint but manages to escape arrest because of their incapacitated state. The singer describes how everyone around them was arrested or treated badly by the police, while they were left alone in their corner, intoxicated and unbothered.
The lyrics describe the atmosphere of the joint before the police arrived, with people playing card games like blackjack and "skin." The singer reveals that they had plenty of money but were not allowed to join the game. Throughout the song, the singer's sense of detachment from the events around them is emphasized. They are treated worse than the others, eating scraps while the rest of the people are enjoying hearty meals, and not being offered any of the drinks that the others are having.
The last verse of the song introduces a twist when the police arrive. The singer watches as the people around them get arrested and hauled away, but they still remain unnoticed. The chaos that ensues when the police arrive is described in detail, with people dancing in the kitchen and the hall. The final line implies that the singer might have been so drunk that they were even "knocked out" while the rest of the joint was getting raided.
Line by Line Meaning
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
The police came and arrested everyone in the establishment, except for me.
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
I was in a corner of the establishment, intoxicated and unaware of the commotion happening around me.
Now some were playing blackjack, some were playing skin
Other patrons were playing card games like blackjack and possibly gambling.
I had plenty money but they wouldn't let me in
Despite having enough money to enter, the establishment refused to let me in.
They treated me like a stranger, like a dirty dog
I was not welcomed or treated with respect by the staff at the establishment.
Ate up all the chops, gave me the tail of the hog
While others enjoyed the prime cuts of food, I was only given the leftovers.
Now they were drinking gin, drinking mighty fast
Other patrons were drinking gin and possibly getting drunk quickly.
They offered me some King Kong [?], but I couldn't find a glass
While others were offered drinks, I was not given a glass to drink from.
Now some were drinking whiskey, some were drinking rhum
Other patrons were drinking different types of alcoholic beverages.
They had some sneaky peep but they wouldn't give me none
Others were offered a secret or exclusive drink, but I was not given any.
Now gee it sure was funny, the best I ever saw
Despite the negative treatment I received, I found the situation amusing.
They heard somebody knocking and in walked the law
The police arrived in response to a complaint or report and entered the establishment.
Now they were dancing in the kitchen, boogin' in the hall
Other patrons were dancing and having a good time in various areas of the establishment.
Boy down the cordon tell the judge about it all
Someone was told to report the events to the judge or authorities.
I was over in the corner, high as I could be
I remained in the corner, still intoxicated and unaware of the events that took place in the establishment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAN BURLEY, LOUIS JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shirasworld_
Lyrics:
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now some were playing blackjack, some were playing skin
I had plenty money but they wouldn't let me in
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
They treated me like a stranger, like a dirty dog
Ate up all the chops, gave me the tail of the hog
Then they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now they were drinking gin, drinking mighty fast
They offered me some King Kong, but I couldn't find a glass
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now some were drinking whiskey, some were drinking rhum
They had some sneaky peep but they wouldn't give me none
Yes they raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner, knocked out as I could be
Now gee it sure was funny, the best I ever saw
They heard somebody knocking and in walked the law
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner just as high as I could be
Now they were dancing in the kitchen, boogin' in the hall
Boy down the cordon tell the judge about it all
They raided the joint, took everybody down but me
I was over in the corner, high as I could be
@stlyrface
Helen Humes is one of the great underrated singers of the Golden Age of Big Bands. I love her.
@Sieupeaici000
Mesmerizing
@Raysmobileonsite
What a fantastic voice! - 1947
@NewbieSaibotGames
I agree!
@MrFalconford
I'm glad you got away Helen, thanks for the post.
@gslimm40
Louisville's Ms Helen Humes RIP
@gccgeo8028
Little Steven's Underground Garage brought me here. Thanks Lil' Steven.
@dfhayak
Great song!
@kinkajou777
This song will make a Rap Artist run quicker than a Concorde Jet!!!
@everettegrant4331
Lol Facts!