You Don't Like It
Jan Garber And His Orchestra Lyrics
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Must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that
Oh, mama, you're so big and fat
The lyrics from Jan Garber And His Orchestra's song "You Don't Like It" are a playful and teasing commentary on the size of a woman. The lyrics suggest that the woman is so large that she must be made of jelly rather than jam because jelly is a looser substance that shakes more than jam does. The lyrics are focused entirely on the woman's size and the singer's admiration for it, with the phrase "Oh, mama, you're so big and fat" repeated several times throughout the song.
While some listeners might find the lyrics offensive or insulting, it's important to remember that they were written in a different time when body shaming was more commonly accepted than it is today. Additionally, the playful nature of the music and the upbeat tempo suggest that the song is not meant to be taken seriously or to be taken personally. Rather, it is a lighthearted commentary on a cultural norm of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that
Your body is so voluptuous that it seems to jiggle like jelly, which jam does not do
Must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that
I am comparing the way your body moves to the difference between jelly and jam, emphasizing how unique and desirable it is
Oh, mama, you're so big and fat
You possess a curvy and full figure that I find attractive and appealing, despite societal norms or expectations
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. Chalmers Mac Gregor, Sunny Skylar, George Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kirk Barkley
A nice trip into 1927!
Jourwalis
Yes, really!
Gunnar Anderson
Wow! I hadn't realized this side was so hot- will have to track down a copy!
jlassie
With performances like this, it's truly dumbfounding that Paul Whiteman never spotlighted Harry Goldfield's immense vocal talents during his many years in the Whiteman trumpet section. His tender, heartfelt reading of lyrics like 'your lips are thrilling to touch' puts all of the popular crooners to shame...
Trombonology Erstwhile
Ah, those days when hot music was where the money was! ... Though I love this fun tune, it's difficult to believe that there were many flappers playing coy about whether they liked it or not.
Rocket Surgeon
Makes me want to read some P G Wodehouse.
Trombonology Erstwhile
@Rocket Surgeon Always a good idea!