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: " .
Oh Me Oh My
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Although the people turn and stare
I really don't care
I would give my everything to keep you, boy
It breaks my heart when you?ve not there
I'll stage a ballet on a tabletop
Command performance finger size
My show ain't gonna fly
I'll find the music there in your eyes
Oh me, oh my, I'm a fool for you baby (baby now)
(Fool for you) Oh me oh my (I)
I am crazy (crazy baby)
Oh me, oh my (me oh my)
Yeah I'm a fool for ya baby
C'mon let your love light shine on me
(Shine on me)
We'll blow a genie from a cigarette
And then we'll take a magic carpet ride
Yes we will
And we'll tell our smokey friend, hey don't you forget
Because you've got to keep us side by side, yeah
Oh me, oh my (oh me, oh my)
I am a fool for ya baby (be your)
(Your fool for ya)
Oh me, oh my, (I)
You know that I am (crazy) crazy baby
(Crazy baby) yes you do (crazy baby)
Oh me, oh my (oh me, oh my)
Whoa-oh I'm a fool (fool) for ya baby
(Need your)
Come on let your love light shine on me
(Shine on me)
Would you do that? (on me)
Come on let your love light shine
Just alittle bit (shine) right on me
Oh lover let your love light
Shine on me (shine on me)
Oh hear me now!
Oh me, me oh my
I'm a fool oh! for ya baby (now)
FADES-
Oh me oh my (I)
You know that I'm cra-a-azy baby
(Crazy baby)
Oh me, oh my.......
In "Oh Me Oh My," Irma Thomas speaks of her devotion to a lover that she would do anything to make happy. Despite the judgment of others, she is willing to act foolishly to provide laughter and happiness to her significant other. The first verse talks about how she would act as a comedic clown, doing whatever it takes to make her love laugh. The second verse speaks more on her imagination and how she would do anything to keep her lover with her, even if it's only for a fleeting moment. She talks about how they could make a stage out of a tabletop and have their own private ballet. She may not have the best singing voice, but the way she views him is so strong and invigorating that it's enough to create the perfect mood. The chorus repeats her declarations of love and devotion, culminating in her request for his love to "shine" on her.
The ultimate message of the song is that true love causes foolishness, and that making a fool out of oneself in the name of love is worthwhile. The song doesn't focus on the issues or doubts of a relationship, but instead shows that true love warrants an unwavering commitment to the other person. Overall, the music creates a joyful, upbeat tone that emphasizes the theme of devotion and the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
To make you laugh, I would be a fool for you
I am willing to put myself in a foolish position just to make you happy
Although the people turn and stare
I really don't care
I am not bothered by the judgment of others and will continue to do what I do for you
I would give my everything to keep you, boy
It breaks my heart when you've not there
I am willing to go above and beyond for you, and when you're not around, it is very painful for me
I'll stage a ballet on a tabletop
Command performance finger size
And although I ain't got no tune
My show ain't gonna fly
I'll find the music there in your eyes
I may not have the ideal conditions for a performance, but I will still do it for you, and I know I will be inspired by your beautiful eyes
Oh me, oh my, I'm a fool for you baby (baby now)
(Fool for you) Oh me oh my (I)
I am crazy (crazy baby)
Oh me, oh my (me oh my)
Yeah I'm a fool for ya baby
C'mon let your love light shine on me
(Shine on me)
I acknowledge that I am foolishly in love with you, and I want you to show me your love too
We'll blow a genie from a cigarette
And then we'll take a magic carpet ride
Yes we will
And we'll tell our smokey friend, hey don't you forget
Because you've got to keep us side by side, yeah
We will have a good time together, and even though smoking may be bad for us, we will not forget to stick together and take care of one another
Whoa-oh I'm a fool (fool) for ya baby
(Need your)
Come on let your love light shine on me
(Shine on me)
Would you do that? (on me)
Come on let your love light shine
Just alittle bit (shine) right on me
Oh lover let your love light
Shine on me (shine on me)
I am still in love with you, and I want you to show me your love now, just a little bit
Oh me, me oh my
I'm a fool oh! for ya baby (now)
You know that I'm cra-a-azy baby
(Crazy baby)
Oh me, oh my.......
I am an absolute fool for you, and you know that I am crazy in love with you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jim Doris
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