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
Smack Dab in the Middle
Joe Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where people like a rockin time
And stay awake both day and night
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
I wanna be smack dab in the middle now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
One hundred beds with chorus girls
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Ahhhhh, now listen boys throw me
Smack dab in the middle right now
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
That's all right!
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
Alright!
The song "Smack Dab in the Middle" by Joe Williams is an upbeat, jazzy number that suggests the singer wants to be thrown into a town with a good vibe where people party hard and are up all day and night. He wants to be right "smack dab in the middle" so he can rock and roll to satisfy his soul. He lists several lavish desires, from ten Cadillacs and matching suits, a ten-room house, a diamond mill, and fifty young women. The chorus repeats his desire to be in the middle, indicating that he wants to be at the center of the action, where the fun is happening.
Perhaps the most notable thing about these lyrics is how they are evocative of a specific time and place - the post-World War II era when rock and roll was emerging as a new genre. The Cadillac cars, flashy clothes, and young women are all symbols of the consumer culture that was just beginning to emerge as the economy boomed. The song celebrates youthful hedonism and makes no apologies for desiring material things.
Line by Line Meaning
Pick me a town in any clime
Select a location with a lively atmosphere
Where people like a rockin time
Where locals prefer an entertaining environment
And stay awake both day and night
And remain active all the time
Till everybody's feelin good an' right
Until everyone is content and happy
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Place me right in the center of the excitement
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I desire to be at the heart of the festivities
Ahhhhh, smack dab in the middle, boys now
I need to be in the middle of the action to enjoy myself
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
So I can dance and groove to fulfill my inner desires
Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill
Luxury automobiles and precious gemstones
Ten suits of clothes to dress to kill
Elegant outfits to make a strong impression
A ten room house, some Bar B Q
A spacious residence and some grilled food
And fifty chicks not over twenty-two
And fifty young women aged twenty-two or younger
Oh, I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
Oh, how I wish to be in the heart of things
Ahhhhh, now boys you can see why
I'm sure you guys understand my reasons
One hundred beds with chorus girls
A hundred beds with musical performers
A street that's paved with natural pearls
A road made of valuable pearls
A wagon load of bonds and stocks
A massive amount of financial securities and shares
Then open up the door at Fort Knox
Then grant me access to the tightly guarded gold reserve
I wanna be (smack dab in the middle)
I want to be in the most thrilling spot
Ahhhhh, now listen boys throw me
Oh, friends please guide me to the happening site
Smack dab in the middle right now
Right in the center, immediately
So Ray can rock and roll to satisfy his soul
So Ray can dance and enjoy the music he loves
A lot of bread and gangs of meat
A considerable amount of bread and huge portions of meat
Oodles of butter and somethin sweet
Many servings of butter and sugary desserts
Gallons of coffee to wash it down
Several gallons of coffee to drink
Bicarbonated soda by the pound
A large quantity of carbonated drinks
I picture it (smack dab in the middle)
I imagine myself in the thick of the excitement
Ah, throw me now, smack dab in the middle right now
Oh, please place me in the center of activity immediately
So I can rock and roll to satisfy my soul
So I can dance and have a great time to quench my inner thirst
Alright!
Great!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES E CALHOUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this song might be the best I've ever heard. Amazing!
Rani Hyman
The arrangement on this is just sensational. Count Basie was the best!!!
Perry Wiggins
What ever mood I might be in this version Joe Williams/ Count Base’s “ SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE “ is like a double espresso of enthusiasm as I cruse through my day 😊
salinas victor
Excelente 😁
SpiralBlue Andromeda
How so wonderful William!
Thank you so very much my dear friend for sharing all this magic with us!
❀☀*•.¸¸.•*ஜீ❄☼۞✿⌘✽ஜீ۩☮۩ஜீ✽⌘✿۞☼❄ஜீ*•.¸¸.•*☀❀
J0lker
Awesome scene in Billions!
Cameron McCarty
I can imagine this being in Fallout 4
Keith Alderton
This is the wrong LP sleeve shown for this song. It is track 2 on the "One O'Clock Jump " album from 1957. "The Greatest !!" was four albums before released in 1956.
THE OLD GODS
Fattest Basie w/vocals stack baby, best ever-
Dan_D_Baker Cigar & Bourbon lover
Chuck Rhodes brought me here..