Marsala's own playing was rich and graceful, owing a lot to Jimmie Noone. Although usually thought of as a "dixielander" along with Eddie Condon, Marsala was more adventurous: in the 1940s he used Dizzy Gillespie on a recording session, for instance.
That said, he did have some difficulties adjusting to the bebop era and other clarinetists also found their skills less in demand. By 1949 he partly switched to writing songs in the genre now called classic pop. He did this primarily for Frank Sinatra and Patti Page. Among these songs was the hit Don't Cry, Joe (Let Her Go, Let Her Go, Let Her Go), which led friends to the unfounded fear his marriage to Adele Girard was over. He also wrote And So to Sleep Again for Patti Page.
According to his wife, Adele, Joe Marsala also suffered from chronic colitis and was unable to drink alcohol. He died in Santa Barbara, California.
Tiger Rag
Joe Marsala Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
The lyrics to Joe Marsala's Tiger Rag are a lively and energetic call to find and hold onto the elusive "tiger". The repetition of the line "Where's that tiger?" creates a sense of excitement and urgency, as if the tiger is something that must be found and pursued at all costs. The following lines, "Hold that tiger!" and "Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!", further emphasize the intensity of the hunt.
The second half of the song shifts focus to a plea for the famous "Tiger Rag" to be played. Whether highbrow or lowbrow, everyone wants to hear the iconic tune. The repetition of the phrase "Where oh where can he be?" adds a touch of playful mystery to the song, as if the tiger and the Tiger Rag are both valuable treasures to be sought out and enjoyed.
Overall, the lyrics to Tiger Rag are a fun and lively depiction of the excitement and energy of jazz music.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the excitement and energy we crave? Where is the source of inspiration we are searching for?
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Capture the tiger's spirit and hold on tight to that energy.
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Embrace the intensity of the tiger and push it to the limit.
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Once again, where is the excitement and energy we crave?
Where oh where can he be?
Where can we find that source of inspiration?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
Regardless of class or status, everyone yearns for the same feeling of excitement and passion.
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Please give us that rush of energy and passion that the Tiger Rag represents.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind