He gained success in the 1960s and 1970s with his brand of Southern soul, which mixed the styles of country, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Born in Rogers, Texas, in 1935 and raised in Baytown, TX, Tex's career started after he was signed to King Records in 1955 following four wins at the Apollo Theater. Between that year and 1964, however, Tex struggled to find hits and by the time he finally recorded his first hit, "Hold What You've Got", in 1964, he had recorded thirty prior singles that were deemed failures on the charts. Tex went on to have three million-selling hits, "Hold What You've Got" (1965), "Skinny Legs and All" (1967) and "I Gotcha" (1972).
Joe Tex with the raspy voice & charm of a southern preacher and the linguistic skills of a true street hustler made a string of funky chart topping hits and occasional raps with moral themes. His peak as a hitmaker occured in the mid & late 60's, but extended into the 70's disco era.
His breakthrough 1965 song "Hold What You've Got" topped both the Pop and R&B charts. In 1966 he released "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It", which was the first major pop record associated with the Vietnam War. His style was usually more light hearted fare, like "S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song)" and his biggest hit "Skinny Legs And All".
His last major record was 1972's funky jam "I Gotcha", a #1 song. It was after this release that he converted to Islam. After the death of Elijah Mohamed in 1975, Joe Tex received the blessing and approval of the Nation of Islam to begin recording and performing again. His career resurgence came as the disco years were in full swing. His late career comeback song was "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)".
Skinny Legs and All
Joe Tex Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't walk ahead of that woman like she don't belong to you
Just cause hers got them little skinny legs
You know,that ain't no way to do
You didn't act like that when you had it home behind closed doors
Alright
Now you act like you're 'shamed or somethin'
Or you don't want nobody to know she's your's
And don't you worry about a doggone thing a'tall, huh huh
Because there's some man, somewhere, who'll take you baby, skinny legs and all
Keep on walking baby, huh huh
Show you what I'm talking about
Listen to this
Now, who'll take the woman with the skinny legs?
C'mon somebody please take the lady with the skinny legs
Now, you all know the lady with the skinny legs got to have somebody too, now
Will somebody please take the lady with the skinny legs, please?
Hey, Joe
Yeah Bobby?
Why don't you take her?
You a fool?
I don't want no woman with no skinny legs
Look here,I thought I might give this woman to Clyde
But, no, I know the kinda woman Clyde likes
So Leroy'll take her
Say Leroy?
You got her
Say, Miss? Right here?
Now why you want to act like that man ain't yours?
Just 'cause he's walkin' with you, with them raggedy clothes
Man just forgot to get his suit out a the cleaners, that's all
Alright, alright
Act like that man don't belong to ya
Go on over there and kiss him and hold his hand
Go on, say you ain't gonna do what?
That's alright
You just walk on mister
And don't you worry about a doggone thing, a'tall, huh, huh
Because there's some woman somewhere who'll take you
Mr. Raggedy clothes and all
Yes there is
Just keep on looking
The Lyrics in the song Skinny Legs and All by Joe Tex addresses the issue of body shaming and the discrimination of women who do not have curvy body structures. The song talks about a man who is walking ahead of his lady as if he is ashamed to be associated with her because she's skinny. The music artist makes it clear that her skinny legs are not a reason to be ashamed of her, and he even goes ahead to challenge any man who is not interested in her to step forward and reveal themselves.
Joe Tex's lyrics in this song are a call to people to stop body shaming and appreciate everyone, irrespective of their body structure. Joe tries to create an awareness that everyone deserves love and respect, and it is wrong to judge people based on their physical appearance.
In conclusion, Joe Tex's song Skinny Legs and All is a call for people to appreciate and accept others regardless of their physical appearance. The song challenges the stereotype of the conventional body structure and promotes self-love and self-acceptance. It's a reminder that everyone deserves to be loved and respected more than the physical structure.
Line by Line Meaning
Say man,
Hey, listen up, I have something to say.
Don't walk ahead of that woman like she don't belong to you
Don't act like you're not with her, just because she has skinny legs.
Just cause hers got them little skinny legs
Don't be ashamed of her physical appearance.
You know,that ain't no way to do
It's not a good way to treat someone.
You didn't act like that when you had it home behind closed doors
You didn't treat her poorly when you were alone.
Alright
Okay.
Now you act like you're 'shamed or somethin'
Now you're acting embarrassed or ashamed of her.
Or you don't want nobody to know she's your's
You don't want anyone to see you with her.
That's alright, you just walk on baby
If you want to keep acting like that, go ahead and walk away.
And don't you worry about a doggone thing a'tall, huh huh
Don't worry, there's someone out there who will accept you for who you are.
Because there's some man, somewhere, who'll take you baby, skinny legs and all
There's a man out there who will love you even if you have skinny legs.
Keep on walking baby, huh huh
Keep going and you'll find someone eventually.
Show you what I'm talking about
Let me demonstrate my point.
Now, who'll take the woman with the skinny legs?
Who will accept and love the woman who has skinny legs?
C'mon somebody please take the lady with the skinny legs
Can someone please love and accept her?
Now, you all know the lady with the skinny legs got to have somebody too, now
Everyone deserves love, even if they have a physical flaw.
Will somebody please take the lady with the skinny legs, please?
Can someone please show her love and accept her?
Hey, Joe
Hey, Joe, I need to talk to you.
Yeah Bobby?
What's up?
Why don't you take her?
Why don't you date her?
You a fool?
Are you joking?
I don't want no woman with no skinny legs
I don't want to date a woman with skinny legs.
Look here,I thought I might give this woman to Clyde
I had an idea to introduce this woman to Clyde.
But, no, I know the kinda woman Clyde likes
But I know what kind of women Clyde is attracted to.
So Leroy'll take her
So Leroy will date her instead.
Say Leroy?
Hey Leroy, can I talk to you?
You got her
You can date her.
Say, Miss? Right here?
Excuse me, miss. Can I talk to you for a second?
Now why you want to act like that man ain't yours?
Why do you act like he's not your partner?
Just 'cause he's walkin' with you, with them raggedy clothes
Just because he's walking with you in clothes that need to be cleaned.
Man just forgot to get his suit out a the cleaners, that's all
He just forgot to pick up his suit from the cleaners.
Alright, alright
Okay, I understand.
Act like that man don't belong to ya
Don't act like you're not with him.
Go on over there and kiss him and hold his hand
Go over there and show some affection.
Go on, say you ain't gonna do what?
Come on, what are you going to say now?
That's alright
It's okay.
You just walk on mister
Okay, you can leave now.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TEX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1967 {December 3rd} "Skinny Legs And All"* by Joe Tex peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Top Selling R&B Singles chart, for the two weeks it was #2, the #1 for both those weeks was "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips...
"Skinny Legs And All" reached #10 {for 3 weeks} on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
Between 1964 and 1979 the Rogers, Texas native had thirty-five hits on the R&B Singles chart, eleven made the Top 10 with four reaching #1, "Hold What You've Got" {1964}, "I Want To (Do Everything For You)" {1965}, "A Sweet Woman Like You" {1966}, and "I Gotcha" {1972}...
Joe Tex, born Joseph Arrington Jr., passed away at the young age of 47 on August 13th, 1982 {heart attack}...
May he R.I.P
* "Skinny Legs And All" was Joe Tex's second of two of his records to peak at #2, his other #2 record was "The Love You Save" for one week in April of 1966...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Top Selling R&B Singles' Top 10 on December 3rd, 1967:
At #3. "Soul Man" by Sam and Dave
#4. "I Second That Emotion" by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
#5. "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need" by the Temptations
#6. "Boogaloo Down Broadway" by The Fantastic Johnny C.
#7. "A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
#8. "I Say A Little Prayer" by Dionne Warwick
#9. "Pata Pata" by Miriam Makeba
#10. "Yesterday" by Ray Charles
@reynoke1
The lead gutarist is my father, Lee Hadley.. I grew up listening to pretty much all of Joe Tex's music, along with many of the other greats!! I always smile when Mr. Tex calls my daddy's name in this song!! This is great music!!
@lovelikeaman8993
+Alana R. Was the bass player Clarence related to Lee Leroy Hadley?
@reynoke1
Yes.. He is my uncle.. My daddy's younger brother..
@lovelikeaman8993
+Alana R.They are very talented. You must be very proud .
@reynoke1
Thanks so much!! I am very proud!!!!
@BrianCortner
+Alana R. You're SO lucky to have those memories! Loved Joe Tex!
@keithragin6573
I think Joe Tex was under appreciated, and his “One of a kind” talent deserved much more recognition for his artistic contribution that made R&B/Soul Music Great today. Thank you and R.I.P. Joe
@johnbarron2269
Keithragin6573, Joe Tex was VERY UNDERRATED as a singer, on-stage comedian, and a DANCER. HE COULD OUT-PERFORM ABOUT 90% OF THOSE ON STAGE FROM ABOUT 1965 TO 1969. HE HAD SUUUPER TRICKS WITH THE MICROPHONE. My man Joe was a SMOOOOOKIN DUDE. HE HAD A GREAT FALSETTO TO GO ALONG WITH IT.
@bobniven1341
Back in the early 70's I had the chance to see Joe Tex play in a club venue. We had a good table at the front near the stage. My girlfriend was wearing a very short skirt and had great legs. When it came to the 'Skinny Legs' song, Joe had a great view of her legs so he had some and fun sang the song about her, picking out other guys in the audience to see who 'wanted the girl with the skinny legs'. Everybody was laughing, even my girlfriend. It was a really fun night to see him in action in his prime. Joe, you are missed after all those years. Nope... I didn't end up married to the 'girl with the skinny legs.'.. one of life's little mistakes.
@darcylett486
Man growing up in the 70s we cracked up every time we played this song. Leroy. You got her!