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: " .
Old Records
Irma Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And think about you
Yes it is
It's so nice
Riding slowly through the park slightly after dark and thinking of you
I know I was flirting with a hurting and now I'm certain
You did the right thing leaving me
But at least when you left you left so many sweet memories
Just like old man river I'll keep right on rolling
It ill never be the same without you
Night time finds me counting diamonds int he sky
And a turn on the stereo with the volume into a lonely low
It's so good listening to old records and thinking about you
It's so nice a fizzling soda on ice
And thinking about you
Memories of you seem to be my favorite pastime
Either I can't or I don't wan to get you off my mind
Oh im not afraid to move on to someone new
But you're a hard act to follow I just can't stop thinking of you
The song "Old Records" by Irma Thomas is a nostalgic ballad that tells the story of a woman who is reminiscing about her lost love. The song begins with her expressing her love for listening to old records as it reminds her of her past lover. She then goes on to describe a scene where she is riding slowly through a park after dark and thinking about him. She acknowledges that she had hurt him before, and he made the right decision to leave her.
The woman is left with nothing but sweet memories of their time together. She compares herself to Old Man River, always rolling on, but now without him, it will never be the same. Even though she tries to move on, she can't seem to get him off her mind. Night time finds her counting diamonds in the sky and listening to music with the volume turned low. Memories of him seem to be her favorite pastime, and she just can't stop thinking of him.
Overall, the song "Old Records" is a beautiful and emotional tribute to lost love, showcasing the power of music to evoke memories and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
It's so good listening to old records
Listening to old records brings me comfort and joy
And think about you
Reflecting on our past memories and relationship
Yes it is
Affirming the goodness of listening to old records
It's so nice
Expressing the enjoyment of reminiscing about the past
Riding slowly through the park slightly after dark and thinking of you
Taking a late night stroll and reminiscing about our past relationship
I know I was flirting with a hurting and now I'm certain
Admitting that I was playing games in our relationship and realizing it was wrong
You did the right thing leaving me
Acknowledging that your decision to leave me was for the best
But at least when you left you left so many sweet memories
Grateful for the good memories we made despite the breakup
Just like old man river I'll keep right on rolling
Moving forward in life despite the hardships and heartbreaks
It ill never be the same without you
The void you left in my life will always remain
Night time finds me counting diamonds int he sky
Reflecting on the beauty of the starry night sky
And a turn on the stereo with the volume into a lonely low
Playing music on low volume to set the mood while I reflect on our past
It's so good listening to old records and thinking about you
Finding solace in listening to old records and thinking about you
It's so nice a fizzling soda on ice
Comparing the pleasure of reminiscing to a refreshing drink on a hot day
And thinking about you
Continuing to reminisce about our past relationship
Memories of you seem to be my favorite pastime
Realizing that I spend a lot of time thinking about you and our memories
Either I can't or I don't wan to get you off my mind
I am either unable or unwilling to forget about you
Oh im not afraid to move on to someone new
Despite my attachment to you, I am open to new relationships
But you're a hard act to follow I just can't stop thinking of you
Admitting that it's hard to move on from you because of our shared history and memories
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
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