Kweskin released six albums and two greatest hits compilations on Vanguard Records between 1963-1970; Jim Kweskin's America on Reprise Records in 1971; and four albums on Mountain Railroad Records between 1978-87.
Sugar Babe
Jim Kweskin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sugar babe, I'm tired of you,
Ain't your honey but the way you do
Sugar babe, it's all over now
All I want my babe to do,
Make five dollars and give me two
Sugar babe, it's all over now
Whupped my baby till she Buzzard Lope
Sugar babe, it's all over now
Sugar babe, what's the matter with you?
You don't treat me like you used to do
Sugar babe, it's all over now
Went to town and bought me a line
Whupped my baby till she changed her mind
Sugar babe, sugar babe, it's all over now
Sugar babe, I'm tired of you
Ain't your honey but the way you do
Sugar babe, it's all over now
The Jim Kweskin song "Sugar Babe" centers on a man's dissatisfaction with his lover. The song opens with the singer expressing his exhaustion with the woman, as he does not find her to be as sweet and appealing as her physical form might suggest. He then references an unusual scenario where he only asks his lover to keep a small portion of the money she earns, indicating that the relationship is purely transactional. The woman's poor treatment of the singer is hinted at, as he considers using an object he bought in town (presumably a rope) to harm her physically. Later he suggests that he has already beaten her until she changed her mind, indicating that their relationship had become quite abusive.
The song's lyrics are not uncommon in the blues tradition, as they portray relationships between men and women that are complex and sometimes violent. "Sugar Babe" can be seen as an indictment of the commodification of relationships, suggesting that a focus on material gain can lead to dissatisfaction and violence. As a blues song, it highlights the harsh realities of life, and the ways that individuals cope with those realities.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar babe, I'm tired of you,
I am exhausted by you, my sweet lover,
Ain't your honey but the way you do
I don't feel like your sweetener because of the way you treat me.
Sugar babe, it's all over now
Our relationship is done and dusted now.
All I want my babe to do,
All I ask of my beloved is to earn five dollars and share two with me.
Make five dollars and give me two
Just make five dollars and then split two with me.
Went downtown and bought me a rope
I went into the town and bought a rope for a future action.
Whupped my baby till she Buzzard Lope
I hit my lover until she staggered like a vulture.
Sugar babe, what's the matter with you?
What's happening to you, my sugar lover?
You don't treat me like you used to do
You don't treat me the way you used to before.
Went to town and bought me a line
I went to the city and purchased a clever idea.
Whupped my baby till she changed her mind
I hit my beloved until she decided to act differently.
Sugar babe, sugar babe, it's all over now
My sweet love, our relationship has ended now.
Sugar babe, I'm tired of you
I am tired of my sweet honey, my beloved one.
Ain't your honey but the way you do
I don't belong to your sweetness because of your behavior.
Sugar babe, it's all over now
Our romantic journey has come to an end.
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.