Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60's. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960's by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980's.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of "Time Is On My Side," which predated the hit version by the Rolling Stones. Otis Redding's hit "Pain In My Heart" was built on an earlier song, "Ruler of My Heart," recorded by Thomas.
Thomas is still active as a performer, appearing annually at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and various tour dates in the US and Europe. She has reigned as Queen of the Krewe du Vieux for the 1998 New Orleans Mardi Gras season and often headlined at her own club, the Lion's Den, which is now out of business due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Irma Thomas has participated in numerous post-Katrina charity projects including The New Orleans Social Club, and won numerous awards including the Offbeat Magazine Award, Mojo Magazine's Legends award, Big Easy Award, a Family Services Award and many more. In 2009, Scott Billington compiled a Rounder records retrospective "Irma Thomas: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of The Soul Queen of New Orleans: " .
Hittin' On Nothing
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
keep your lies
Keep all of your promises
save that jive
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
I'll never forget
I ain't seen hide nor hair
of a diamond yet
All I get is (talk, talk, talk)
Get your papers and (walk, walk, walk)
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
You know you promised me a mink coat,
for my birthday
I ain't seen mink, rat or rabbit
Make it any old way
I'm tired of your (talk, talk, talk)
Hit the road, Jack (walk, walk, walk)
No no more talk (talk, talk, talk)
Get your bags and walk (walk, walk, walk)
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Hey, Hey
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Ah-Huh
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Hit the road
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Hey, Hey
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
The song "Hittin' on Nothing" by Irma Thomas is a sassy and assertive proclamation of a woman who is fed up with empty promises from her significant other. The lyrics convey frustration with the constant sweet talk and lack of follow-through on promises of diamonds and mink coats, leaving the singer questioning what the other person was even trying to hit on in the first place. With lines like "get your papers and walk" and "get your bags and walk," the singer is making it clear that she is not interested in any more talk or empty promises.
The repetition of the phrases "talk, talk, talk" and "walk, walk, walk" highlight the singer's insistence on action instead of words. The contrast between the promises of luxury and the reality of being without them also portray a sense of daunting unfulfillment. The declaration that the other person is not "hittin' on nothing" unless they have something concrete to offer further emphasizes the singer's desire for tangible proof of commitment.
Overall, the lyrics of "Hittin' on Nothing" convey a strong message of self-respect and assertiveness in the face of empty promises, while also capturing the struggle of wanting more and being constantly let down.
Line by Line Meaning
You can keep your sweet talk,
keep your lies
Keep all of your promises
save that jive
I don't want to hear any of your lies, promises or sweet talk
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Unless you have something tangible to offer me, your words mean nothing
You know you promised me diamonds,
I'll never forget
I ain't seen hide nor hair
of a diamond yet
You promised me diamonds, but I haven't seen any
All I get is (talk, talk, talk)
Get your papers and (walk, walk, walk)
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
All you do is talk, but I need more than just words from you
You know you promised me a mink coat,
for my birthday
I ain't seen mink, rat or rabbit
Make it any old way
You promised me a mink coat for my birthday, but I haven't seen any fur coat yet
I'm tired of your (talk, talk, talk)
Hit the road, Jack (walk, walk, walk)
No no more talk (talk, talk, talk)
Get your bags and walk (walk, walk, walk)
I'm tired of your empty promises and words, you need to leave
Hit the road
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Leave me alone unless you have something substantial to offer
Hey, Hey
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Hey, don't waste my time unless you can actually provide something of value
Ah-Huh
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me
Yeah, you're not impressing me unless you have something worthwhile
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tonyfreeman1339
A lass with sass and class.
@cob1965
fantastic!
@spoonful1018
awesome guitar
@MoiraRussell
I just played this four times in a row, it was like I was hypnotized
@stOOpid68
if you liked that, try this, Moira
https://youtu.be/e8G9LIiAFHE
:) enjoy!
@dianamay6017
Irma Thomas brilliant!!
@cornellwaters9089
đź’Ť Music!
@shorelineboy
Bloody brilliant
@shauns9563
Raw and Dangerous, brilliant.
@latinguy67
excellent review!