Take Five
Hound Dog Taylor Lyrics


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(Hound Dog Taylor)

Chicago, Chicago babe, Chicago
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago
Oh yeah, sure enough, Chicago babe
Be back some old day

Take five, take five babe, take five
Take five, take five, take five
Oh yeah, sure enough, take five
Be back some old day

Believe it, believe it babe, believe it
Believe it, believe it, believe it
Believe it, sure enough, believe it babe
Be back some old day

Chicago, Chicago babe, Chicago
Chicago, Chicago, Chicago




Oh yeah, sure enough, Chicago babe
Be back some old day

Overall Meaning

The song 'Take Five' by Hound Dog Taylor & The Houserockers is a simple yet powerful blues song that encapsulates the feeling of longing and nostalgia for the city of Chicago. The lyrics "Chicago, Chicago babe, Chicago" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the deep longing the singer has for his hometown. The repetition of "Take five" also adds to the overall sense of longing and waiting, as if the singer is counting down the minutes until he can return to Chicago.


The phrase "Be back some old day" further drives home the feeling of nostalgia, indicating that the singer knows he will eventually return to Chicago, but he doesn't know when. The use of "old day" adds to the overall sense of timelessness and longing. The last repetition of "Chicago" is drawn out, adding a melancholic quality to the song and emphasizing the depth of the singer's feelings for his hometown.


Line by Line Meaning

Chicago, Chicago babe, Chicago
Hound Dog Taylor is trying to evoke the spirit of the city of Chicago and express his love for it.


Chicago, Chicago, Chicago
He repeats the name of the city for emphasis and to show his admiration for it.


Oh yeah, sure enough, Chicago babe
The singer is certain of his love for Chicago and assures his listeners that this is the case.


Be back some old day
This statement is a promise to return to the city of Chicago in the future.


Take five, take five babe, take five
The phrase 'take five' is a reference to the jazz standard of the same name. Hound Dog Taylor is offering his own interpretation of the song and encouraging his listeners to take a break and enjoy themselves.


Believe it, believe it babe, believe it
The singer is urging his listeners to believe in themselves and their dreams.


Believe it, sure enough, believe it babe
He repeats the line to emphasize the importance of belief and self-confidence.


Be back some old day
Hound Dog Taylor is once again promising to return to Chicago in the future.




Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Hilmar Wensorra

In VERY loving memory of Narvel Eatmon (1914 - 1991 R.I.P. Gone but NOT forgotten), the label owner of Bea & Baby ...

たてりんけんじ

めっちゃ⤴️⤴️カッコイー👍🎶
大好きです🎵

Mark Connors

Happy birthday Hound Dog!!

Wolfgang Andreas

Großartig !!!

coolfool60

Killer Dawg!!!

pietro anania

great first release

Daniel Kubacki

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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