Piney Brown Blues
Jimmy Rushing Lyrics


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Well I've been to Kansas City
Girls and everything is really alright
Yes, I've been to Kansas City
Girls and everything is really alright
Yeah the boys jump and swing
And to the broad daylight

Yes I dreamed last night
I was standin' on 18th and vine
Yes I dreamed last night
I was standin' on 18th and vine
I shook hands with Piney Brown
An' I could hardly keep from cryin'

Now come to me baby
I want to tell why I'm in love with you
Please come to me baby
I want to tell you why I'm in love with you
Because you understan'
Everything I do

I want to watch you baby
When the tears roll down your cheeks
Yes, I want to watch you baby
When the tears roll down your cheeks
I wanna hold your hand




Tell you that your kind can't be beat
Tell you that your kind can't be beat

Overall Meaning

The song Piney Brown Blues by Jimmy Rushing is a blues number that talks about the singer's time spent in Kansas City. He talks about how everything is alright in the city and the boys there jump and swing in the broad daylight. The singer then proceeds to tell us about a dream he had where he met Piney Brown on 18th and Vine and couldn't help but cry. The song then transitions into the singer expressing his feelings toward his lover and how they understand everything he does. He wants to hold her hand and tell her that her kind can't be beaten.


The song is a reflection of how the music scene was in Kansas City during the 20s and the 30s. It was a city where jazz and blues music flourished, and the nightlife was always lively. The boys jumping and swinging in broad daylight is a reference to the swing and jump blues, which were popular at the time. The dream where the singer meets Piney Brown is a reference to the famous jazz saxophonist Piney Brown, who was a popular figure in Kansas City during the time.


The lyrics about the singer's lover are an expression of his emotional connection with her. He mentions that she understands everything he does, which is a reflection of the trust and understanding that a relationship should have. The reference to holding her hand when she's crying is a beautiful expression of support and care.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I've been to Kansas City
I have traveled to Kansas City


Girls and everything is really alright
The city is enjoyable and everything is going well


Yes, I've been to Kansas City
Confirming previous statement about traveling to Kansas City


Yeah the boys jump and swing
The men in the city dance energetically


And to the broad daylight
The dancing continues until it is light out


Yes I dreamed last night
I had a dream last night


I was standin' on 18th and vine
In the dream, I was on a street called 18th and Vine


I shook hands with Piney Brown
I met a person named Piney Brown in the dream


An' I could hardly keep from cryin'
This meeting was emotional for me


Now come to me baby
Addressing someone affectionately


I want to tell why I'm in love with you
Explaining reasons for the singer's affection


Please come to me baby
Asking for the person's presence


Because you understan'
The person being addressed is understanding


Everything I do
They understand the singer's actions and motivations


I want to watch you baby
Declaring a desire to observe the person


When the tears roll down your cheeks
Specifically, the artist wants to be present during the person's moments of sadness


I wanna hold your hand
The artist wants to offer comfort and support


Tell you that your kind can't be beat
Affirming that this person is exceptional




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOE TURNER, PETE K. H. JOHNSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@gynack

+Aylerone
This is from the album "The Jazz Odyssey of Jimmy Rushing", my intro to Jimmy Rushing. He is a sadly neglected and unappreciated singer. He had real swing. I saw himlive with Count Basie in the early 60's. The band was pretty pedestrian in the first half of the concert, but in the second half Rushing came on and it's as if he'd booted them up the arse because the band suddenly got it all together. The second half was so, so good with Rushing at the front and the band really swinging behind him. A memorable experience.

@kentaylor7044

i've heard very little rushing in the past---he seems mostly forgotten---thanks for refreshing my memory

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