His piano playing incorporated the boogie-woogie styles of Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, and Albert Ammons, the jazz style of Jelly Roll Morton and the rhythm-and-blues style of Fats Domino.[2] Steve Huey of AllMusic noted that "At the peak of his game, Smith epitomized New Orleans R&B at its most infectious and rollicking, as showcased on his classic signature tune, "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu".[3]
Smith died at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on February 13, 2023, aged 89
High Blood Pressure
Huey 'Piano' Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Smith/Vincent)
Huey 'Piano' Smith & The Clowns
Bobby Marchan lead vocal, Bob Isbell - vocal bass
Musicians: Huey - piano, Lee Allen - sax
Earl King - guitar, Charles Williams - drums
Red Tyler - sax. Ace Records #545 1958
Album: This Is Huey 'Piano' Smith
I get a-high (oh yes) blood pressure (oh yes)
When you call my name (oh yes)
Uh-uh-huh (oh yes)
I get a high (oh yes) blood pressure (oh yes)
When you call my name
(Oh, yes, oh yes)
I get a high blood pressure
Well, baby when you're by my side
Yes (yes) I get a-high (oh yes)
Blood pressure (oh yes) when you're by side (oh yes)
Uh-huh-huh (oh yes)
I get a-high (oh yes) blood pressure
When you speak to me (oh yes)
Uh-huh-huh (oh yes)
I get a-high blood pressure I can hardly see (oh yes)
Oh-ooh (oh yes)
I get a high blood pressure
Yes, baby when you get in my arms
Yes, get a high (oh yes) blood pressure
When you're in my arms (oh yes)
Uh-huh-huh (oh yes)
My eyes get to jumpin'
Up and down in a ring
My heart gets to jumpin'
Up and down as a spring
Chills run up and down my spine, it's true
My face startin' to sweatin, an it's
(All because a-you)
I get-a high (oh yes) blood pressure (oh yes)
'Cause my eyes go mad (oh yes) for you (oh yes)
My eyes start to jumpin'
It's a terrible strain
My heart gets to thumpin'
Up and down in pain
Chills run up and down my spine, it's true
My face startin' to sweatin' an it's
(All because a-you)
I get a high blood pressure
'Cause a I'm your man (oh yes) oh yes
(Oh yes)
(Oh yes)
(Oh yes)
(Uh-huh)
(Oh yes)
(Uh-huh)
(Oh yes)
(Uh-huh)
Fades -
(Ooooh)
(Ooooh-ooooh)
(It happens like that).
~
The lyrics to Huey 'Piano' Smith's song High Blood Pressure talk about the physical and emotional effects that the love interest has on the singer. The lyrics start out with the singer saying that they get high blood pressure when the love interest calls their name or is by their side. The chorus repeats this sentiment and emphasizes the physical strain that the singer experiences in the presence of their love interest.
The second verse goes into more detail about the symptoms the singer experiences, such as their eyes jumping and their face sweating. They also mention that their heart starts to thump in pain, but despite all of these physical symptoms, the singer claims that they still want to be with their love interest because they're "your man."
Overall, the song is a playful take on the way that love and attraction can affect the body. The exaggerated symptoms of high blood pressure serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming emotions that come with being in love.
Line by Line Meaning
I get a-high (oh yes) blood pressure (oh yes) when you call my name (oh yes)
The subject experiences a surge in their blood pressure when their name is called by their loved one.
I get a high blood pressure, well baby when you're by my side yes (yes) I get a-high blood pressure when you're by side (oh yes)
The subject's blood pressure rises when their partner is next to them.
I get a-high (oh yes) blood pressure when you speak to me (oh yes) uh-huh-huh (oh yes)
The subject's blood pressure increases when their partner speaks to them.
I get a high blood pressure I can hardly see (oh yes) oh-ooh (oh yes)
The subject's blood pressure is so high that it affects their vision.
My eyes get to jumpin' up and down in a ring, my heart gets to jumpin' up and down as a spring
The subject's eyes and heart experience palpitations due to their high blood pressure.
Chills run up and down my spine, it's true. My face startin' to sweatin, an it's all because of you.
The subject experiences chills and sweating, and attributes it to the presence of their partner.
I get-a high (oh yes) blood pressure (oh yes) 'cause my eyes go mad (oh yes) for you (oh yes)
The subject's blood pressure rises because they are intensely attracted to their partner.
I get a high blood pressure 'cause a I'm your man (oh yes) oh yes
The subject's blood pressure rises because they are their partner's significant other.
Contributed by Mackenzie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.