I'm Ready
LIVING ROOM - Muddy Waters Lyrics


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I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I got an axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
That shoot tombstone bullets, wearin' balls and chain
I'm drinkin' TNT, I'm smokin' dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight
'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

All you pretty little chicks with your pretty little hair
I know you feels like I ain't nowhere
But stop what you're doin', baby come over here
I'll prove to you baby, that I ain't no square
Because I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

I been drinkin' gin like never before
I feel so good, I want you to know
One more drink, I wish you would
It takes a whole lotta lovin' to make me feel good





'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you're ready for me

Overall Meaning

Muddy Waters' I'm Ready is a blues classic that conveys an ultimate confidence and readiness to his audience. The opening and repeating line of "I am ready, ready as anybody can be" is a declaration of readiness that establishes the tone of the song. The lyrics are relatively straightforward, with the singer proclaiming that he is prepared to face anything that comes his way, including a tumultuous relationship with a significant other.


The song's second verse begins with "I got an axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame/ That shoot tombstone bullets, wearin' balls and chain." This verse is indicative of the singer's tough exterior, as he appears to be carrying a deadly weapon, the likes of which could easily kill one in a single hit. The rest of the verse, which goes on to describe the singer drinking TNT and smoking dynamite, only adds to the picture of an unstoppable and perhaps dangerous individual.


The final verse, which begins with "I been drinkin' gin like never before/ I feel so good, I want you to know," comes across as a boastful declaration of virility. The rest of the verse indicates that the singer requires "a whole lotta lovin'" to satisfy him, to put it politely. In conclusion, Muddy Waters' "I'm Ready" is an engaging and enjoyable blues song that exudes charm and confidence in such a way that it's impossible not to enjoy.


Line by Line Meaning

I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am fully prepared and eager for whatever may come


I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me
I am prepared to engage in whatever activity you have planned and hope that you are equally prepared for me


I got an axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
I have a unique weapon, shaped like an axe handle, attached to a frame made from pieces of graveyard tombstones


That shoot tombstone bullets, wearin' balls and chain
This weapon shoots bullets shaped like tombstones and I am wearing a heavy set of restraints as if I am a prisoner


I'm drinkin' TNT, I'm smokin' dynamite
I am consuming explosive substances, TNT and dynamite, to heighten my senses and energy


I hope some screwball start a fight
I am excited and prepared for a physical altercation to occur at any moment


'Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
Once again, I am fully prepared and eager for whatever may come


All you pretty little chicks with your pretty little hair
Referring to all the attractive women around, with their well-styled hair


I know you feels like I ain't nowhere
I sense that you may not see me as a significant figure among the rest of the men around here


But stop what you're doin', baby come over here
I invite you to take a break from whatever you're doing and come over to me


I'll prove to you baby, that I ain't no square
I will show you that I am not a boring, uninteresting person


I been drinkin' gin like never before
I have been consuming a lot more gin than usual


I feel so good, I want you to know
I am feeling great and want others to be aware of it


One more drink, I wish you would
I am open to having another drink, suggesting that the night is far from over


It takes a whole lotta lovin' to make me feel good
I require a great deal of love and attention to truly feel fulfilled and content




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Willie Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@dillantaylor6716

I got a axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame
That shoots tombstone bullets, wearing balls and chain
I'm drinking TNT
I'm smoking dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight
Because I'm ready
Ready as anybody can be
I'm ready for you
I hope you ready for me

Those have to be the best lines in a blues tune EVA!!!

Muddy and Willie Dixon were definitely masters. rip to the both of them



@lindatoosaucy8625

I am ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I got a axe-handled pistol on my graveyard frame
That shoot tombstone bullets, wearing balls and chain
I'm drinking TNT, I'm smoking dynamite
I hope some screwball start a fight

Cause I'm ready, ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

All you pretty little chicks with your curly hair
I know you feel like I ain't nowhere
Well, stop what you're doing, baby, come over here
I'll prove to you baby that I ain't no square

Because I'm ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me

I been drinking gin like never before
I feel so good I want you to know
One more drink, I wish you would
I takes a whole lotta loving to make me feel good

Cause I'm ready, as ready as anybody can be
I am ready for you, I hope you ready for me



All comments from YouTube:

@xpmark1

This song takes me back to 1954,we white guys in our teens would cruise north Tulsa's colored town,the smoke filled bars and joints were jumpin with live rhythm and blues music,huge black dudes lighting up outside keeping watch.Muddy might have slipped into town,largely un-noticed by the white media,unless you heard he was coming in or got your hands on the Greenwood Eagle, the black newspaper.

@xgum

this guy has stories to tell

@francineandrews206

Wow I wish I were there

@danielorr7627

We're you in a Buick?

@monkeytown1000

Great drumming by Muddy Waters band unsung star Fred Below on the off beat, drives the whole song along.

@ralphraucci

I first heard this Great Song in early 1987 on the Blue Monday Show from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT. I still remember the Host's words to this Day, Muddy Waters 1954 version of I'm Ready with Willie Dixon on Bass, Little Walter on Harmonica, Otis Spann on Piano, Jimmy Rogers on Guitar, and Fred Below on Drums.
It was only through listener supported Collage Radio that we heard these Great Original Artists. I was 27 at the time, it saddens me that almost all the original Great Artist are gone and most Americans don't know about them.

@philwear

Ralph Raucci Sheet what a line up !!!

@alangonzalez7665

Ralph Raucci

@deannayoung1612

Ralph Raucci it's really sad that younger people won't ever even know this music!! all the greats & best of all times! I'm glad I'm able to hold near & dear all the greats & what they stood for! this is just great music!!

@donnaleblanc3726

I know what you mean. There is so much great music in America that most people don’t hear. Thank God for college radio and the progressive radio stations! I heard lots of blues, jazz, zydeco, bluegrass, Cajun and rhythm and blues on these stations, WHCN in the 1970s and University of Hartford radio.

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