Don't Be That Way
Jerry Gray & His Orchestra Lyrics

The lyrics of Jerry Gray & His Orchestra's song "Don't Be That Way" refer to a person's size and shape. The phrase "must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that" implies that the person is so curvy and voluptuous that they must be made of a soft, jiggly substance like jelly rather than the firmer, more stable consistency of jam. This is a somewhat humorous and lighthearted way of commenting on someone's appearance, without necessarily being mean-spirited.

The next line, "Oh, mama, you're so big and fat," is much more direct and potentially hurtful. The word "fat" is often used as an insult, and calling someone "big" can also be seen as derogatory. However, it's possible that in the context of the song, the word "fat" is simply being used to describe someone who is physically larger than average. The singer might be admiring the person's curves and expressing affection rather than trying to insult them. Alternatively, the lyrics could be interpreted as poking fun at the person for being overweight or "jiggly," which would be a less positive interpretation.

Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Be That Way" are a good example of the use of double entendre and ambiguity in popular music. The phrase "must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake like that" could be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the listener's perspective and the context in which it's heard. Similarly, the line "Oh, mama, you're so big and fat" could either be a playful compliment or a cruel insult, depending on the tone and context.