He was born Joseph Goreed in Cordele, Georgia and moved to Chicago as a child. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. He grew on the south side of Chicago, surrounded by jazz, blues, and gospel music. In the 1930s, as a teenager, he was a member of "The Jubilee Boys" and performed in Chicago churches.
He worked as a singer and bouncer in Chicago in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1943, he was hired by the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He toured with Hampton for several years but never achieved breakthrough success.
He rose to national prominence as the singer for Count Basie's Orchestra in 1954. He remained with Basie for several years. "Everyday I have the Blues" is his biggest hit.
After leaving the Basie band, Williams continued to have a successful career working with his own jazz combo. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the band.
Bill Cosby cast Williams as his father-in-law "Grandpa Al" Hanks in a recurring role on the 1980s sit-com The Cosby Show.
Williams enjoyed a successful career and worked regularly until his death. He died at age 80, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joe Williams shares a birthday with Frank Sinatra who was also born Dec. 12, three years before Williams
Shake Rattle and Roll
Joe Williams Lyrics
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Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots 'n pans
Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin' through
Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin' through
I can't believe my eyes, all that mess belongs to you
I believe to the soul you're the devil in nylon hose
Well, the more I work, the faster my money goes
I said shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul
Yeah, blow Joe
I'm like a one-eyed cat peepin' in a seafood store
I'm like a one-eyed cat peepin' in a seafood store
Well, I can look at you till you ain't no child no more
Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul
I get over the hill and way down underneath
I get over the hill and way down underneath
You make me roll my eyes, even make me grit my teeth
I said shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Well, you won't do nothin' to save your doggone soul
Shake, rattle and roll
The lyrics of Joe Williams's song Shake Rattle and Roll is a raunchy blues song that has been interpreted in various ways but essentially talks about a man's battle with his lover who refuses to cooperate with him. In the opening lines, the singer has no patience for his lover's laziness and demands that she get out of bed and start working. He asks her to wash her face and hands and make some noise with the pots and pans in the kitchen. The way he wears her dresses is not impressive, and her mess seems never-ending.
The singer reveals that he is convinced that his lover is the devil herself wearing nylon hose. Whenever he works hard, his money gets spent quickly because of her extravagant lifestyle. He sings the refrain "shake, rattle, and roll" throughout the song, emphasizing his frustration with his lover. The singer describes himself as a one-eyed cat peeping through a seafood store, indicating that he is both curious and cautious about his lover's behavior. He feels that he is getting too old for her games and that she makes him feel irritated.
Line by Line Meaning
Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands
It is time to wake up and start your day, so clean yourself up
Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots 'n pans
Start cooking and make some noise while you're at it
Way you wear those dresses, the sun comes shinin' through
Your clothing is so revealing, the sun shines right through it
I can't believe my eyes, all that mess belongs to you
I am shocked to see that you are responsible for all this mess
I believe to the soul you're the devil in nylon hose
I am convinced that you are the devil in disguise, hiding behind your stockings made of nylon
Well, the more I work, the faster my money goes
No matter how hard I work, I can't seem to hold onto my money
I said shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll
Let's dance and shake things up a bit
Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul
You will never do the right thing and save your own soul
I'm like a one-eyed cat peepin' in a seafood store
I feel like an outsider, looking in at something I cannot have
Well, I can look at you till you ain't no child no more
I can watch you grow and mature into an adult
I get over the hill and way down underneath
I am getting older and feeling down
You make me roll my eyes, even make me grit my teeth
You irritate me to the point where I roll my eyes and clench my teeth
Well, you won't do nothin' to save your doggone soul
You won't do anything to save your own soul
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Charles Calhoun
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind