Cyprus-born (of Armenian ancestry) Canadian-American songwriter, singer, guitarist, actor, and voice actor specializing in jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he first appeared on stage in Toronto, Canada, in the early 1970s. As well as music, he also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Redbone, who had a distinctive deep voice, began his career in the 1970s. His work encompassed pre-war jazz, ragtime, & blues styles with modern arrangements that still retain a vintage feel.
While living in Canada in the early 1970s, Redbone began performing in public at Toronto area nightclubs and folk music festivals. At one point, it was rumored that he was actually comedian Andy Kaufman, who sometimes took on other identities, or Frank Zappa, who somewhat resembled Redbone. However, Redbone has performed since the deaths of Kaufman and Zappa, and the rumors have subsided. David Letterman once proposed that he was Don Novello, the comedian famous for playing Father Guido Sarducci.
In 1974, Rolling Stone magazine ran a feature article on Redbone, a full year before he had a recording contract. The article described his performances as "so authentic you can hear the surface noise [of an old 78 rpm]." His first album, On the Track, was released by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. He was introduced to a larger public as a semi-regular musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s. In a late-'70s appearance on the The Merv Griffin Show, he was introduced as "Andy Kaufman ...maybe or maybe not," alluding to the eccentric comedian as being his possible true identity.
During the 1980s-90s Redbone was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. It was apparent from the on-air exchanges between host and guest that Carson was a fan of Redbone's work.
Redbone survived the crash of a small plane in Clarksburg WV on Feb. 12, 1979.
Lazy Bones
Leon Redbone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you 'spect to get your day's work done?
Never get your day's work done
Sleepin' in the noon day sun
Now, lazy bones, sleepin' in the shade
How you expect to get your corn meal made?
You'll never get your corn meal made
When tainers need sprayin', I bet you keep prayin'
The bugs'll fall off the vine
And when you go fishin' I bet you keep wishin'
The fish won't grab your line
Now, lazy bones, loafin' through the day
How you 'xpect to make a dime that way?
You'll never make a dime that way
Never heard a word I say
Now when tainers need sprayin', I bet you keep prayin'
That the bugs'll fall off the vine
And when you go fishin' I bet you keep wishin'
That the cat fish drops your line
Lazy bones, loafin' through the day
How you 'xpect to get a dime that way?
You'll never make a dime that way
Now look here, never heard a word I say
The lyrics of "Lazy Bones" by Leon Redbone are filled with sarcasm and humor, and it's up for interpretation whether they are meant to be taken seriously or not. The song is about a person who is lazy and spends most of their time sleeping in the sun, shade, and even during the day. The lyrics question how they expect to get any work done or make any money when they spend all their time sleeping.
The song's first verse focuses on the lazy bones sleeping in the sun and how they can't get their day's work done by sleeping all day. The second verse comments on the lazy bones sleeping in the shade and how they won’t get their corn meal made by simply sleeping. The last verse points out that even during the day, the lazy bones is loafing and won't be able to make any money that way.
There are many interpretations for this song. Some suggest that the song is about the Great Depression, where people were unable to find work and were forced to sleep all day in the sun to escape their reality. Others suggest that the song is more about the attitude of laziness and how it’s frowned upon in American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Lazy bones, sleepin' in the sun
You're not doing anything productive; you're just sleeping in the sun.
How you 'spect to get your day's work done?
How do you expect to accomplish anything if you're sleeping all day?
Never get your day's work done, sleepin' in the noon day sun
You'll never get things done if you're always sleeping through the day.
Now, lazy bones, sleepin' in the shade
You're still being lazy, just in a different spot in the shade.
How you expect to get your corn meal made?
How do you plan on getting anything done if you're just napping around and not working?
You'll never get your corn meal made, just sleepin' in the evening shade
You won't be able to achieve anything if you're still just lounging around in the evening.
When tainers need sprayin', I bet you keep prayin'
I bet you're hoping that the pests will just fall off the plants on their own, so you don't have to do any work.
The bugs'll fall off the vine
The insects will magically rid themselves from the plants.
And when you go fishin' I bet you keep wishin'
I bet you're hoping the fish will jump out of the water and land in your boat.
The fish won't grab your line
The fish won't take your bait, and you won't have to work for it.
Now, lazy bones, loafin' through the day
You're still being indolent, wasting the daytime away.
How you 'xpect to make a dime that way?
How do you anticipate earning a living if you can't even put in any effort?
Never make a dime that way
You won't ever earn any money with that lazy attitude towards work.
Never heard a word I say
It seems like you're not even listening to my advice about working harder.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O CAPASSO, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: HOAGY CARMICHAEL, JOHNNY MERCER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dmlevitt
one of my favorite songs of all time. Leon is the coolest.
mtgaines2017
"On The Track" is a very relaxing album. Leon is genus to bring this style back during the age of hard rock.
shotamoose
Leon Redbone, thank you for the great sounding music and stories. I live in the Canadian Arctic, your music brings warmth to my cabin. Right on. Keep it up.
shari best
RIP Leon Redbone. Your music will keep on entertaining us.
Doug Roy
What a talent Leon was .RIPp
Tom Tuerff
RIP Leon. Thanks for all the great music!
James Stice
I've always loved Leon's music. A great talent.
diddywahdaddy
Rest in peace and thank you for sharing that fantastic music, Sir.
Southern Biscuits
His music brought so much joy to my life.
Kevin Heller
RIP Mr. Redbone...loved that voice!