His build earned him a nickname and a signature song, "Mr. Five by Five" ("he's five feet tall and he's five feet wide"). His best known recordings are probably those of "Going to Chicago" with Basie and "Harvard Blues" with the famous saxophone solo by Don Byas. George Frazier, author of "Harvard Blues", called Rushing's distinctive voice, "a magnificent gargle".
He died of leukemia in 1972 in New York City.
Just Because
Jimmy Rushing Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just because you think you're so pretty,
And just because your momma thinks you're hot,
Well, just because you think you've got something
That no other girl has got,
You've caused me to spend all my money.
You laughed and called me old Santa Claus.
Well, I'm telling you,
Because, well well, just because.
Well, well, well,
There'll come a time when you'll be lonesome
And there'll come a time when you'll be blue.
Well, there'll come a time when old Santa
He won't pay your bills for you.
You've caused me to lose all my women
And now, now you say we are through.
Well, I'm telling you
Baby, I was through with you
A long long time ago.
Well, just because you think you're so pretty
And just because your mama thinks you're the hottest thing in town
Well, just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got,
You've caused me to spend all of my money.
Honey, you laughed and called me your old Santa Claus.
Well, I'm telling you I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because.
The song "Just Because" by Jimmy Rushing is a classic example of a scorned lover seeking revenge. The lyrics convey a sense of resentment towards the woman who the singer has been spending his money on, only for her to laugh and call him her "old Santa Claus." The song starts with the singer referencing the woman's self-perceived beauty and supposed uniqueness as the reason why she has caused him to spend all his money. He then goes on to warn her that one day she will be lonesome, and old Santa Claus (representing himself as the provider of her material possessions) won't be there to pay her bills. The singer claims that the woman has caused him to lose all his other women, and he states that he was through with her a long time ago.
The lyrics of this song are a testament to the male ego and the need for control in relationships. The singer is bitter that his attempts to woo the woman with gifts of money and attention have failed, and he feels emasculated by her rejection. He seeks to assert his power over her by threatening to cut off his financial support and warning her that she will have no one to turn to.
Overall, the song "Just Because" conveys a sense of bitterness and regret over a failed relationship. The singer is unable to let go of his feelings of hurt and anger, and he seeks to assert his power over the woman who rejected him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, well, well,
The singer is signaling that they have something to say.
Just because you think you're so pretty,
The singer is addressing someone who puts too much importance on their physical appearance, believing it makes them better than others.
And just because your momma thinks you're hot,
The singer is also taking issue with the person's mother for encouraging their conceited attitude with flattery.
Well, just because you think you've got something
That no other girl has got,
The artist is pointing out the person's arrogance, believing they possess something unique that sets them apart from others, which they do not.
You've caused me to spend all my money.
The artist has spent a lot of money on this person, perhaps trying to impress them or keep them happy.
You laughed and called me old Santa Claus.
The person has belittled the singer, treating them like a fool or a servant.
Well, I'm telling you,
Baby, I'm through with you.
Because, well well, just because.
The singer is breaking up with the person, fed up with their self-centered attitude and their mistreatment of the singer, who deserves more respect and consideration.
There'll come a time when you'll be lonesome
And there'll come a time when you'll be blue.
The artist is warning the person that they will not always have so many admirers and admirations, and that they will face hard times.
Well, there'll come a time when old Santa
He won't pay your bills for you.
The person has relied on the artist's generosity to pay for their expenses, but they will not always have that kind of support.
You've caused me to lose all my women
And now, now you say we are through.
The person's behavior has caused the artist to lose other romantic partners and now they are ending things with the artist.
Well, I'm telling you
Baby, I was through with you
A long long time ago.
The singer is emphasizing that they have wanted to end things with the person for a long time, but kept trying to make it work until now.
Well, just because you think you're so pretty
And just because your mama thinks you're the hottest thing in town
Well, just because you think you've got something
That nobody else has got,
The artist is repeating their criticism of this person's arrogance and entitlement, and how it has led to their relationship ending.
You've caused me to spend all of my money.
Honey, you laughed and called me your old Santa Claus.
Well, I'm telling you I'm through with you
Because, well well, just because.
The singer is restating how the person has taken advantage of their generosity, and how they no longer want to be in a relationship with someone who treats them so poorly.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD PRICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind