Clyde
J.J.ケイル Lyrics


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Clyde plays electric bass
Plays it with finesse and grace
Sit on the porch without no shoes
A-picking the bass and singing the blues
Misery loves company
And his old dog sings harmony
Tambourine tied to his tail
You can hear him moan, you can hear him wail

Jody May, she got a dollar
Down the road you can hear her holler
"Get up Clyde, we got something to do
That old dog can sing the blues"
He don't move, he don't flinch
Clyde, he don't move an inch




Just sit on the porch without no shoes
Picking his bass and singing the blues

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Clyde" by J.J. Cale describe the eponymous character of the song who plays electric bass with great skill and refinement. Clyde sits on his front porch without shoes, strumming his bass and singing the blues. He is not alone in his musical pursuits, as his beloved dog joins in with harmonies and a tambourine tied to his tail, adding an extra layer of depth to Clyde's music.


J.J. Cale's lyrics also introduce another character, Jody May, who calls out for Clyde to come and join her in some unspecified activity. However, Clyde remains unmoved, anchored to his porch and his music. J.J. Cale's storytelling conjures up a vivid image of a man who has found his passion and is content to let the world go by as he loses himself in his music making.


Line by Line Meaning

Clyde plays electric bass
Clyde is skilled at playing the electric bass guitar


Plays it with finesse and grace
Clyde plays the electric bass skillfully and elegantly


Sit on the porch without no shoes
Clyde sits on the porch barefooted


A-picking the bass and singing the blues
Clyde strums the bass and sings the blues songs


Misery loves company
People experiencing sadness often seek the company of others in the same situation


And his old dog sings harmony
Clyde's dog sings in a melodious harmony with him


Tambourine tied to his tail
Clyde has tied a tambourine to his dog's tail


You can hear him moan, you can hear him wail
Clyde's dog makes mournful sounds with the tambourine tied to his tail


Jody May, she got a dollar
Jody May has a dollar with her


Down the road you can hear her holler
Jody May can be heard shouting down the road


"Get up Clyde, we got something to do
Jody May urges Clyde to get up and do something


That old dog can sing the blues"
Jody May reminds Clyde of his dog's talent in singing blues


He don't move, he don't flinch
Clyde remains still and does not move


Clyde, he don't move an inch
Clyde is completely still


Just sit on the porch without no shoes
Clyde continues to sit barefooted on the porch


Picking his bass and singing the blues
Clyde strums his bass guitar and continues to sing blues songs




Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN J CALE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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