The Lip
Keely Smith Louis Prima Lyrics

Down on the Mississippi River in a knockdo dive
I was in a dive on the Mississippi and I saw him.

I met a trumpet playin' character and man alive
I met a trumpet player who really had a unique style.

When he began to rip, he really played it from the hip
When he played, he put everything he had into it.

And when I asked about his name, they told me, that's The Lip
When I asked who he was, everyone told me his name was 'The Lip'.

(Yip yip yip yip)
Background vocals.

No one plays high notes like The Lip
He is known for playing incredibly high notes on his trumpet.

He's got a tone that's reminiscent of a boy named Bix
His style reminds me of another famous trumpet player named Bix.

He plays so high that only dogs can hear him, just for kicks
He enjoys playing notes that are so high, only dogs can hear them.

And when I asked him does he read
I asked if he knew how to read music.

He says, I'll tell you, hon'
He replied, using a term of endearment.

I read a little bit but not enough to hurt me none
He can read music a little bit, but he doesn't rely on it too much.

I said The Lip
I said his name, 'The Lip'.

(She must mean Ray Anthony, huh)
Someone thought I was talking about Ray Anthony instead.

(No, man, she means Harry James)
Someone else thought I was talking about Harry James.

(You mean Louis Prima)
Someone else thought I was talking about Louis Prima.

(Noo, Lip er ace)
I was still talking about 'The Lip'.

I never heard a trumpet player play a note so high
I had never heard anyone play such high notes on a trumpet before.

I had to coax a lot before The Lip would tell me why
I had to convince 'The Lip' to reveal his secret to me.

Then he took out a little jar that's labelled high note grease
He showed me a jar of grease that he uses to help him play high notes.

And he rubs a little every night on his mouthpiece
He applies a small amount of the grease to his mouthpiece every night.

(Yip yip yip yip)
Background vocals.

Listen here gal, are you kiddin' about all that high note grease?
Someone asked me if I was joking about the grease.

No, man, I swear, he had ten in a big valise
I insisted that he really did have jars of the grease.

Wha', you mean he goes to the drugstore
Someone asked if he bought the grease from a store.

And gets them from the medicine shelf?
They wondered if he got it from the medicine section of the store.

No, some cat's told me he makes it himself
Someone told me that he makes the grease himself.

Tell us the secret of The Lip
They asked me to reveal 'The Lip's' secret.

Well, you take a bucketful of steam
I started to explain the recipe for the grease.

And a dozen rooster eggs
It involves steam and eggs.

And you mix 'em up gently with a bushel full of goldfish legs
And some goldfish legs, which is unusual.

And ya hang 'em on a sky hook in the midnight sun
You hang them outside in the sun.

Mmm and then you fry them until they're done
Then you fry them until they're cooked.

(Yip yip yip yip)
Background vocals.

That's the secret of The Lip
That is how 'The Lip' makes his high note grease.