Willie And The Hand Jive
Johnny Otis Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know a cat named Way-Out Willie
He got a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie
Do you walk and stroll with Susie Q
And do that crazy hand jive too?

Papa told Willie "you'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive has got to go"
Willie said "papa, don't put me down
Been doin' that hand jive all over town"

Hand jive, hand jive
Hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive

Mama, mama, look at uncle Joe, look at him
He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
Even gave baby sister a dime, hey, hey
Said "do that hand jive one more time"

Well, a doctor and a lawyer and a indian chief
They all dig that crazy beat
Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat, yeah
When he did the hand jive with his feet

Hand jive, hand jive
Hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive, hey, hey
Come on, sugar, yeah!

Well, Willie and Billie got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior and that ain't all
You know that baby got greatness and it's plain to see, hey, hey
Doin' that hand jive on T.V., come on

Hand jive, hand jive
(Why don't you) hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive





Hey, hey, well
Yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Johnny Otisโ€™s song โ€œWillie and the Hand Jiveโ€ is a catchy tune about a man named Way-Out Willie and his love for the hand jive. The chorus of the song is dedicated to the hand jive, a dance move that was popular in the 1950s. The lyrics of the song talk about Willieโ€™s obsession with the hand jive, which seems to create problems with his family. Willieโ€™s father doesnโ€™t approve of the dance move and warns him to stay away from it. However, Willie insists on doing the hand jive and ends up causing arguments with his family.


The song also talks about how famous and well-loved the hand jive is, with a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian chief all enjoying the dance move. The lyrics suggest that even babies love the hand jive and will dance along to it. The song ends with Willie and his wife, Billie, having a baby named Willie Junior, who has inherited his father's love for the hand jive and even appears on TV to show off his moves.


Overall, the song is a tribute to the hand jive, a dance that captivated the 1950s music scene and continues to be celebrated today. It tells a story of a man who is passionate about his love for dance and shows how this love can bring people together.


Line by Line Meaning

I know a cat named Way-Out Willie
I am aware of a cool guy with crazy skills named Way-Out Willie


He got a cool little chick named Rockin' Billie
He has a very attractive lady to be with named Rockin' Billie


Do you walk and stroll with Susie Q
Do you like to enjoy and dance along to Susie Q's music


And do that crazy hand jive too?
And then showoff your amazing hand jive skills


Papa told Willie "you'll ruin my home
Willie's Dad warned him that his crazy hand jive is ruining the home environment


You and that hand jive has got to go"
He insisted Willie that he needs to stop the hand jive trend.


Willie said "papa, don't put me down
Willie tried to persuade his father that he shouldn't discourage him


Been doin' that hand jive all over town"
He tried to prove how popular the hand jive trend is in the town and how it's drawing people together


Hand jive, hand jive
It's all about the hand jive we all love


Hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
It's all about that cool hand jive everybody wants to do


Mama, mama, look at uncle Joe, look at him
Mama, mama, look over there at uncle Joe showing off his hand jive skill


He's doin' that hand jive with sister Flo
He's having fun showing off his moves with his sister Flo


Even gave baby sister a dime, hey, hey
He was so happy after showing off his skills that he even gave his baby sister a dime


Said "do that hand jive one more time"
He loved it so much, he wants her sister to do it one more time


Well, a doctor and a lawyer and a indian chief
Even people from all profession, like doctors, lawyers and indian chiefs loves hand jive dance


They all dig that crazy beat
They are all crazy about this hand jive and loves the music


Way-Out Willie gave them all a treat, yeah
Way-Out Willie gave everyone present there a special treat of crazy hand jive dance


When he did the hand jive with his feet
He did something rare and unique by performing hand jive with his feet and amazed everyone there


Come on, sugar, yeah!
Let's do it together, sugar! Come on


Well, Willie and Billie got married last fall
Last fall, Willie and Billie tied the knot and wedded finally


They had a little Willie Junior and that ain't all
They were blessed with a little baby boy named Willie Junior and it wasn't the end of their story


You know that baby got greatness and it's plain to see, hey, hey
It's clear and evident that the baby born is going to be great and special


Doin' that hand jive on T.V., come on
They are going to show their amazing hand jive skills on the television and invite everyone to join them


Hand jive, hand jive
It's time for the famous hand jive


(Why don't you) hand jive, doin' that crazy hand jive
Why don't you join us for this amazing hand jive dance and showoff your cool moves with us


Hey, hey, well
This is really exciting!


Yeah, yeah
We are all very excited, yeah yeah!




Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHNNY OTIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@23tbob

I was 16 when this came out, and it was the first rock 'n roll song that "blew me away". And it's still in the TOP 5 of my all time favorite songs, and I'll be 80 in July 2022.

@johntittensor6488

Yo 23tBob! Same timing, I was 15 in Australia, found myself doing the song with cover bands in France decades later. Happy Birthday! John T

@23tbob

@John Tittensor Thanks for the birthday wishes (Friday the 22nd). Hard to believe I'll be 80, and my health is still pretty good. I'm watching the British Open right now -- I follow the Norwegian "kid" Viktor Hovland (he's 24). He's ranked about 8th or 9th in the world golf rankings.

@chrisb5278

Hey there! I'm of almost the same birthday but in 88. I love this music! Happy to read that you're in good health! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ‘

@r0ckstar666

When I heard bad brains fearless vampire killers in 1984 that blew me away

@harleypointer5984

Keep rocking kings!

15 More Replies...

@pennycarroll9006

Oh we all used to do this at the dances we had way back then. It sure was fun. I heard this on radio today and started singing it while I was driving. Remembered the words too! I am a young 77! Music is my secret!!!

@andrewkappler5503

Tommy Williams came to Shawshank in 1965 on a two-year stretch for B&E. That's breaking & entering to you. Cops caught him sneaking TV sets out the back door of a JC Penney. Young punk. Mr. Rock and Roll. Cocky as hell. We liked him immediately.

@Yevkasem1417

:) Perfect

@mr.pastor5681

โ€Come on Old Boys!!!โ€

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