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: " .
I'm Your Puppet
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll do funny things if you want me to, I'm your puppet
I'm yours to have and to hold
Darling you've got full control of your puppet
Pull another string and I'll kiss your lips, I'm your puppet
Snap your finger and I'll turn you some flips, I'm your puppet
Your every wish is my command
All you gotta do is wiggle your little hand
I'm your puppet, I'm your puppet
I'm just a toy, just a funny boy
That makes you laugh when you're blue
I'll be wonderful, do just what I'm told
I'll do anything for you
I'm your puppet, I'm your puppet
Pull them little strings and I'll sing you a song, I'm your puppet
Make me do right or make me do wrong, I'm your puppet
Treat me good and I'll do anything
I'm just a puppet an you hold my string, I'm your puppet
Walking, talking, living, loving puppet
I'm hanging on a string, I'll do anything now
I'm a walking, talking, living, loving puppet, and I love you
The lyrics of Irma Thomas’s “I’m Your Puppet” describe an individual who is completely controlled by their significant other, willingly subservient to their every whim. The song begins with the individual acknowledging that they are completely in the hands of their lover, willing to do anything to please them. Like a puppet, they will move as their lover pulls the strings, claiming that they will even do funny things just to make them happy. The lyrics also suggest that this is all to be expected in a relationship, with the person stating that they are “yours to have and to hold” and that their lover has “full control” over them.
The lyrics then go on to depict the extent of this control, with the individual willing to do anything their lover desires, whether it be to kiss them or turn somersaults. They claim that they will fulfill their lover’s every command, and all their lover has to do is “wiggle their little hand.” The individual acknowledges that they are a “toy” and a “funny boy,” yet they do not mind if it means that they can make their lover happy. The song ends with the person stating that they are a “walking, talking, living, loving puppet” who loves their lover.
Overall, the lyrics of “I’m Your Puppet” imply that the person is giving up their autonomy in their relationship to please their partner. They are content with being controlled and will do anything to keep their lover’s affection.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull the string and I'll wink at you, I'm your puppet
I will respond to your commands and do as you please
I'll do funny things if you want me to, I'm your puppet
I will behave in a comical way to entertain and make you happy
I'm yours to have and to hold
I belong to you and will remain loyal
Darling you've got full control of your puppet
You have complete authority over me
Pull another string and I'll kiss your lips, I'm your puppet
I will express my love and affection as per your wishes
Snap your finger and I'll turn you some flips, I'm your puppet
I will put on an acrobatic display on your command
Your every wish is my command
I will fulfill all your desires and follow your instructions
All you gotta do is wiggle your little hand
Your slightest gesture or indication is enough for me to act on
I'm just a toy, just a funny boy
I am a plaything and a source of entertainment for you
That makes you laugh when you're blue
My antics are intended to cheer you up when you are feeling down
I'll be wonderful, do just what I'm told
I will strive to excel and follow your guidance to the letter
I'll do anything for you
I will not hesitate to go to any lengths to please you
Pull them little strings and I'll sing you a song, I'm your puppet
I will serenade you with my voice when you give me the cue
Make me do right or make me do wrong, I'm your puppet
You have the power to dictate my actions, whether good or bad
Treat me good and I'll do anything
I will go out of my way to please you if you treat me with kindness and respect
I'm just a puppet an you hold my string, I'm your puppet
You have complete control over me and I am at your mercy
Walking, talking, living, loving puppet
I am a sentient being capable of feeling and experiencing love
I'm hanging on a string, I'll do anything now
I am completely devoted to you and will do whatever you ask of me
I'm a walking, talking, living, loving puppet, and I love you
I am deeply in love with you and will do anything to make you happy
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SPOONER OLDHAM, DAN PENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Mueller
on These Honey Dos
Irma Thomas - These Honey Dos lyrics
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sittin' there
Two good legs, two good arms
Your butt stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, that's where yer at
C1/
I tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
V2/
Honey, when I'm away
You always got to know
Who I see, what I do
And everywhere I go
And it's, while yer out, here's the list
Drop off that, pick up this
Yer still in that chair, that's where you is
C2/
Please don't make me try
To get away from you
I'm right here for ya, baby
But ya gotta give me somethin' too
Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
B/
I'd do most everything
That I ever could do
All the love I got
I only give ta you
Honey, if you knew
A lover from a crutch
You'd know that everything yer doin'
Don't amount ta much
V1/
Honey, do you see
While you're sitting there
With two good legs, and two good arms
And your butt still stuck in that chair
It's get me this, reach me that
Fry the bacon, feed the cat
You're still in that chair, just gettin' fat
C1/
Tried to satisfy
All your wishes and your wants
Soon these Honey Dos
Are gonna turn into Don'ts
So honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?
{Honey you'd better choose
Do you want me, or these Honey Dos?} ( 2x )
Spoken:
Honey do this, honey do that
Reach for this, reach for that
Now where is please?
Where is thank you?
Yer making a very large assumption
And you know what they say about the word assumption
Now you know you king of this castle
(As long as I'm in it)
But you gotta put a little please in there sometimes
And every now 'n' then think of some Honey Don'ts to say
Y'know? You got me
I wouldn't stay here, if I didn't love ya
But every now and then, put in some please and thank yous
Do ya Honey Do?
Turn 'em into Honey Don'ts
Moses Davis
on Hurt's All Gone
my goodness ump I cant get enough