Baty was at University of California Berkeley studying mathematics when he formed the band with Rick Estrin (born 1949). The band's music relies chiefy on electric urban blues of the Chicago variety, but mixed in with other compatible styles, including early rock and roll, soul, surf music, swing, jump blues, and western swing. The band issued their debut album, All the Way Crazy, in 1987, including the songs "Poor Tarzan", "Suicide Blues" and "When Girls Do It". The following album Disturbing the Peace (1988), included "That's My Girl", "My Money's Green", "She's Talking" and "Nervous". The records help established them on the blues festival and club circuits, and they began touring the country extensively, playing a number of international venues. They have played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1980 and 1982, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the San Diego, California Street Scene and Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival plus the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival in 2002.
Their 1993 album, Night Vision was produced and played on by Joe Louis Walker. It featured "My Next Ex-Wife," a witty blues-rocker that won Estrin a W.C. Handy Award for 'Song of the Year', highlighting his steadily growing reputation for songwriting prowess. Original drummer Dobie Strange left in 1996, after 20 years with the group, and his spot was taken by June Core.
In early 2008, Baty announced he was entering "soft" retirement, no longer tours with the band, except for possible reunion tours/shows in Europe and select North American festivals. Baty performed with JW-Jones at Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, and Piazza Blues in Bellinzona, Switzerland in July 2009. Estrin continued with the band re-billed as Rick Estrin & the Nightcats. Baty was replaced on guitar by Chris 'Kid' Andersen (born 1980), originally from Telemark, Norway. Andersen had played backing Charlie Musselwhite as well as fronting his own band.
Baty's most recent blues recording was as a guest on JW-Jones, Bluelisted (2008), an album which marked the first time in his career that he documented his harmonica playing on a recording, and the first time he and another West Coast blues musician, Junior Watson, had recorded together on the same tracks.
The band dissolved in 2008, with three members going on to form Rick Estrin & the Nightcats.
Don't Boss Me
Little Charlie & The Nightcats Lyrics
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Little Charlie & Nightcats
Album: Disturbing The Peace
1988 - ALCD4761
Don't boss me baby, don't tell me what to do
Don't boss me darlin', don't tell me what to do
Oh, I got full grown without no help from you
Now, I maybe right an' honey I may be wrong
Maybe right, darlin' I could be wrong
Don't try to boss me, honey I may be gone
Now, I'm full grown darlin', I'm way past twenty-one
Full grown honey, I'm way past twenty-one
You better buy a dog if you wants to boss someone
The song "Don't Boss Me" by Little Charlie & The Nightcats is a playful but assertive song that speaks to the themes of autonomy and independence. The lyrics are simple but convey the concept of not wanting to be controlled or told what to do. The repetition of the line "Don't boss me baby, don't tell me what to do" emphasizes this point and shows that the singer is firm in their desire to make their own decisions. They also assert that they have grown up without anyone's help, which further emphasizes their independence.
The second part of the song speaks to the idea that the singer may be right or wrong but they don't want anyone to try to control them or dictate their actions. The last line, "You better buy a dog if you wants to boss someone" is a humorous way to end the song but also drives home the point that the singer will not be controlled.
In summary, "Don't Boss Me" by Little Charlie & The Nightcats is a fun and confident song about autonomy and independence. It speaks to the desire to make one's own decisions and not be controlled by others.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't boss me baby, don't tell me what to do
I don't want you to control or order me around.
Don't boss me darlin', don't tell me what to do
I don't want you to control or order me around even though you're my darling.
Oh, I got full grown without no help from you
I have become an adult without any assistance from you.
Now, I maybe right an' honey I may be wrong
I acknowledge that I might be correct, but I could also be incorrect.
Maybe right, darlin' I could be wrong
I could be right, but then I could also be wrong.
Don't try to boss me, honey I may be gone
Don't try to order me around, or I may leave.
Now, I'm full grown darlin', I'm way past twenty-one
I'm grown up and independent, well beyond the age of twenty-one.
Full grown honey, I'm way past twenty-one
I've matured and am well beyond twenty-one years old.
You better buy a dog if you wants to boss someone
You should get a pet dog if you want someone to boss around, I won't be that person.
Contributed by Kaylee C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.