In the 1960s Jenkins was the leader of a band called the Pinetoppers, he employed a young singer called Otis Redding as his chauffeur and singer for the Pinetoppers. During a recording session in 1962 organized by the band's manager Phil Walden, Jenkins left 40 minutes of studio time unused. Redding used this time to record a ballad entitled These Arms of Mine (Jenkins played guitar on this track) Redding's career had begun.
With Phil Walden concentrating on Redding's flourishing career, Jenkins was sidelined and it wasn't until after Redding's death in 1967 that Walden again concentrated on Jenkins's career. In 1970 Jenkins released the album Ton-Ton Macoute!, in later years this album was to become a collectors item as the opening track, a cover of Dr. John's I walk on Gilded Splinters, has been sampled by numerous artists from Beck to Oasis.
With Phil Walden again becoming involved in other projects (the Allman Brothers) Jenkins became disillusioned with the music industry and did nothing of note until 1996 when Walden persuaded him to make a comeback, he released the album Blessed Blues recorded with Chuck Leavell. Two further albums followed; Handle With Care and All in Good Times.
Jenkins died in the same town he was born, Macon Georgia aged 67 from a stroke.
Sick and Tired
Johnny Jenkins Lyrics
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Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
Wake up in the mornin' fix you somethin' to eat,
'fore I go to work I even brush your teeth
Get home in the evenin' and you're still in bed
Got yourself a rag tied 'round you're head.
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
I'm tellin' you baby you'd better change your ways
I'm tellin' you baby I mean what I say
Last time tellin you to stop that jive
Gonna find yourself outside
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
Last time tellin' you baby you'd better change your ways
Last time tellin' you baby I mean what I say
Last time tellin you to stop that jive
Gonna find yourself outside
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
The lyrics to Johnny Jenkins's song "Sick and Tired" are about a man who is frustrated with his partner's laziness and lack of effort in their relationship. The chorus asks the question, "Oh baby, whatcha gonna do", which is a plea for the partner to make a change. The singer is tired of the way things are and wants his partner to take responsibility for their actions.
The first verse describes the singer waking up in the morning and preparing food for his partner before he even goes to work. He brushes his partner's teeth and then comes home after work only to find his partner still in bed with a rag tied around their head. The frustration in the singer's voice is evident as he asks the repetitive question, "Oh baby, whatcha gonna do". The partner's laziness is affecting the relationship and the singer is at his wit's end.
In the second verse, the singer warns his partner that they need to change their ways or else they will be kicked out. He means what he says and it is evident that he has given them many chances before. The repetition of the lyrics "Last time tellin' you baby you'd better change your ways" reinforces the warning that this really is their last chance.
Overall, "Sick and Tired" is a song about frustration and the limits of one's patience in a relationship. It is a plea for the other partner to take action and make a change before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
Asking the partner what they plan to do about the issue
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
Repeating the question to emphasize urgency
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
Expressing frustration and exhaustion with the partner's actions
Wake up in the mornin' fix you somethin' to eat,
Describing the artist's role in caring for the partner
'fore I go to work I even brush your teeth
Highlighting the extent of the artist's care for the partner
Get home in the evenin' and you're still in bed
Noticing the partner's laziness or lack of productivity
Got yourself a rag tied 'round you're head.
Further emphasizing the partner's unkempt appearance
I'm tellin' you baby you'd better change your ways
Issuing a warning to the partner
I'm tellin' you baby I mean what I say
Reinforcing the seriousness of the warning
Last time tellin you to stop that jive
Noting that this is not the first time the partner has been told to change
Gonna find yourself outside
Threatening to break up with the partner if they don't change
Last time tellin' you baby you'd better change your ways
Repeating the warning from earlier
Last time tellin' you baby I mean what I say
Reiterating the sincerity of the warning
Last time tellin you to stop that jive
Repeating the previous statement for emphasis
Gonna find yourself outside
Restating the ultimatum for effect
Oh baby, whatcha gonna do
Pondering the partner's response to the situation
I'm sick and tired of foolin' around with you
Reiterating the exhaustion with the partner's behavior
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: FRANCIS DOMINIC NICHOLAS ROSSI, RICHARD JOHN PARFITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind