Born in Baltimore, Turner was first taught piano by his mother when he was five. He moved to New York around 1925 and enjoyed much popularity among musicians in Harlem, working with June Clark (1927-1928), Benny Carter (1929), and Louis Armstrong (1930). He accompanied the singer Adelaide Hall in a piano duo with Alex Hill and then with Francis Carter; he and Carter toured Europe with Hall in 1931. Turner performed as a soloist throughout Europe until 1939, and then in the USA. After working as a member of an army band led by Sy Oliver (1944-1945) and with Rex Stewart (1946) he returned to Europe and played in Hungary (1948) and Switzerland (1949-1962). He then settled in Paris, where from 1962 he held a residency at La Calvados; he also performed in Great Britain, Switzerland, and the USA. Turner was influenced mainly by James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Art Tatum, and Erroll Garner.
Flip Flop and Fly
Joe Turner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I get the blues, I get me a rockin' chair
Well, if the blues overtake me gonna rock right away from here
Now when I get lonesome, I jump on the telephone
When I get lonesome, I jump on the telephone
I call my baby, tell her I'm on my way back home
I don't care if I die
Now flip, flop and fly
I don't care if I die
Don't ever leave me, don't ever say goodbye
Give me one more kiss, hold it a long long time
Give me one more kiss, hold it a long long time
Now love me baby, till the feelin' hits my head like wine
Here comes my baby, flashin' her new gold tooth
Here comes my baby, flashin' her new gold tooth
Well she's so small, she can mambo in a pay phone booth
Now flip, flop and fly
I don't care if I die
Now flip, flop and fly
I don't care if I die
Now, don't ever leave me, don't ever say goodbye
I'm like a mississippi bullfrog, sittin' on a hollow stump
I'm like a mississippi bullfrog, sittin' on a hollow stump
I got so many women, I don't know which way to jump
Now flip, flop and fly
I don't care if I die
Now flip, flop and fly
I don't care if I die
Don't ever leave me, don't ever say goodbye, oh my
The song “Flip, Flop and Fly” by Joe Turner is a classic blues song that describes the singer's ability to cope with loneliness and sadness through different ways. The song is structured around a simple call-and-response style that allows the singer to express his emotions in a clear and direct way. In the first verse, the singer says that when he gets the blues, he gets a rocking chair to help him cope. The gentle back and forth motion of a rocking chair seems to calm him down and provide some comfort.
In the next verse, the singer uses the phone as a way to connect with his loved one when he feels lonely. He calls his baby and tells her he's on his way back home. The third and most famous verse of the song is a repeated chorus of "flip, flop, and fly," which expresses a feeling of liberation from the effects of the blues. It's an invitation to jump up and dance, to forget about one's problems and simply have fun.
The final verse of the song is a playful one in which the singer describes himself as being like a Mississippi bullfrog sitting on a hollow stump, with so many women around that he doesn't know which way to jump. Overall, the song is a celebration of life, love, and the indomitable human spirit that can overcome even the darkest of moods.
Line by Line Meaning
Now when I get the blues, I get me a rockin' chair
When I'm feeling down, I find comfort in sitting and rocking back and forth
Well, if the blues overtake me gonna rock right away from here
If the sadness becomes too much, I'll rock myself out of this place
Now when I get lonesome, I jump on the telephone
When I feel lonely, I call my sweetheart to come home to me
I call my baby, tell her I'm on my way back home
I let my love know I'm coming to be with them soon
Now flip, flop and fly
A phrase used to express carefree dancing and all-around happiness
I don't care if I die
I'm so joyful in this moment that I feel invincible
Don't ever leave me, don't ever say goodbye
I don't want my love to ever leave me or abandon our happiness together
Give me one more kiss, hold it a long long time
Before we part, I want a long-lasting and passionate kiss
Now love me baby, till the feelin' hits my head like wine
I want my love to cherish me until I feel intoxicated with happiness
Here comes my baby, flashin' her new gold tooth
My love is approaching, showing off her new fancy jewelry
Well she's so small, she can mambo in a pay phone booth
My love is petite and can dance in even the tiniest space
I'm like a mississippi bullfrog, sittin' on a hollow stump
I feel like a contented frog, simply sitting on a stump enjoying life
I got so many women, I don't know which way to jump
I have many potential partners, leaving me unsure which direction to take
Don't ever leave me, don't ever say goodbye, oh my
Once again, I express my desire for my love to never leave me or break my heart
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES E. CALHOUN, LOU WILLIE TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sauquoit13456
On this day in 1955 {May 5th} Big Joe Turner's "Flip, Flop and Fly"* peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on two different Billboard national charts, 'Most-Played R&B Records on Juke Boxes' and 'Most-Played R&B Records By Jockeys', on the 'Jockey' chart "Wallflower" by Etta James was in the #1 position while on the 'Juke Boxes' chart it was "My Babe" by Little Walter in the top spot. In addition, on the 'Juke Boxes' chart "Flip, Flop and Fly" was tied at #2 with "Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley...
Between 1945 and 1958 the Kansas City, Missouri native had twenty charted records on the R&B charts, seventeen made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, "Honey Hush" for eight weeks in December of 1953 and "Shake, Rattle, and Roll" for three weeks in June of 1954...
Big Joe Turner, born Joseph Vernon Turner Jr., passed away at the age of 74 on November 24th, 1985...
May he R.I.P.
* "Flip, Flop and Fly" was Big Joe Turner's second of this of his three records to peak at #2, his other two #2 records were "Chains of Love" in 1951 and "Corrine, Corrine" in 1956...
And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Most-Played On Juke Boxes' Top 10 on May 5th, 1955:
At #4. "Pledging My Love" by Johnny Ace
#4. "Unchained Melody" by Roy Hamilton
#6. "I've Got A Woman" by Ray Charles
#7. "What'Cha Gonna Do?" by the Drifters
#7. "Unchained Melody" by Al Nibbler
#9. "You Don't Have To Go" by Jimmy Reed
#10. "Blop Ting A Ling"/"That's All I Need" by LaVern Baker
@christopherrutherford3404
Hi a fantastic record ❤,I only discovered in 2023 watching a repeat of the Jools Holland Show ,Tom Jones sang it & name checked Big Joe Turner, ....thank you Tom Jones
@Londonfogey
I just love that period in the early 50s when swing, jazz, country and blues were all on a collision course, just before they exploded into rock 'n' roll.
@darlahaines6928
Wonderful stuff!
@johnpatterson4816
True.Contrary to popular belief,Elvis didn't invent Rock&Roll.
Sam Phillips was a great producer who essentially caught lightning in a bottle.
Personally I liked Johnny Cash better than Elvis.
@rommix0
Sees dancing chickens.
"Those chickens are up to something!"
@JohnSmith47534
''I told you they were organized''
@dtaylor4552
"Mr Tweedy!! I may have come up with the answer to make some real capital in these parts, and whats on your mind? Ludicrous notions of escaping chickens!!!!"
@Mustanglover66
Who is listening to this great song By Big Joe Turner in 2020? :)
@nurimajeed8595
I am....love it!!!
@anisja100
Me here in Switzerland .