Jordan was one of the first black recording artists whose popularity crossed over into the mainstream white audience and who scored hits on both the "race" charts and the mainstream white pop charts. He is now acknowledged as one of the most successful African-American musicians of the 20th century, ranking fifth in the list of the all-time most successful black recording artists.
Jordan scored at least four million-selling hits during his career, regularly topping the "race" charts, as well as scoring simultaneous Top Ten hits on the white pop charts on several occasions. Many of the songs he wrote or co-wrote have become 20th century popular music classics.
With his dynamic Tympany Five bands (which also pioneered the use of electric guitar and electric organ) Jordan largely mapped out the main parameters of the classic R&B, urban blues and early rock'n'roll genres with a series of hugely influential 78 rpm discs for the Decca label that presaged virtually all of the dominant black music styles of the 1950s and 1960s and which exerted a huge influence on many leading performers in these genres.
Beware Brother Beware
Louis Jordan Lyrics
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And I want you to listen to every word and govern yourselves accordingly
Now pay attention
You see these girls with these fine diamonds, fox furs and fine clothes
Well, jack, they're looking for a husband and you're listening to a man that knows
They ain't foolin', and if you fool around with them
You're gonna get yourself a schoolin'
If she saves your dough, and won't go to a show
Beware, Brother, Beware
And if she's easy to kiss and never resists
Becareful, becareful
And if you go for a walk, and she just listens while you talk
She's tryin' to hook you
And nobody's lookin' and she asks you to taste her cookin'
Don't do it, don't do it
And if you go to a show and she wants to sit in the back row
Bring her down front, bring her right down front
If you go for a snack, and she wants a booth in the back
Watch it, she's tryin' to hook you
And listen, if she's used to caviar and fine silk
And when she goes out with you she wants a hot dog and a malted milk
She's been used to goin' to carnegie hall, and when you take her out night clubing
She wants to have one meatball
If she grabs your hand and says, "darling, you're such a nice man"
Beware, I'm telling you
Listen to me, you thinks he's listening to me
You better listen to me, I'm telling you what's being put down
You better pick up on it
Now listen to this
If her sister calls you brother, you better get further
I'm telling you, you better hear me
And if she's kind of wild, and she says, "darling, please give me a trial"
Don't do it, don't be weak, don't give it to her
If she looks up in your face and just melts into place
Let her melt, forget it
You think he's paying attention
Should I ask him about the... Should I...
But should I tell him about the... Tell him everything, ok I'll tell him
Listen, if she calls you on the phone, and she says,
"darling, are you all alone?"
Tell her, "no, you've got three girls with you"
Don't pay no attention to women
Stand up for your right, be a man, that's right
Should I tell him about the thing...
Well listen, this is very important
If you turn out the light and she don't fight
That's all, that's all,
That's the end, it's too late
She's got you hooked, you might as well stick with her
Put down that racing form and pay attention to me
Now listen
If you get home about two and you don't know what to do
And you pull back the curtains, and the whole family's looking at you
Get your business straight
And set the date, and don't be late
Brother, beware, beware, beware
Brother, you better beware
Louis Jordan's "Beware Brother Beware" is a humorous cautionary tale for men about women who are looking for husbands. Jordan tells the men that the women they see with fine diamonds, fox furs, and fine clothes are looking for husbands. He warns them not to be fooled by women who will school them if they fool around with them. He then goes on to provide several scenarios with women that the men should be wary of. For example, if a woman saves your money and won't go to a show, beware. If she's easy to kiss and never resists, be careful. Jordan advises men that if a woman wants to sit in the back row, bring her down front. If she wants a booth in the back, watch it because she's trying to hook you. Lastly, he tells the men that if they get home about two and don't know what to do and find that the whole family is looking at them, they should get their business straight, set a date and not be late.
The song was recorded by several other artists after Louis Jordan, including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. "Beware Brother Beware" was a hit in 1947 and became part of the rhythm and blues genre that Jordan popularized. It was a humorous take on relationships and became an anthem against gold diggers.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, fellas, yes, you, fellas, listen to me, I got something to tell you
Louis Jordan is warning his fellow men to listen to his advice and take heed of it.
You see these girls with these fine diamonds, fox furs and fine clothes
Louis Jordan is talking to men about affluent women who display their wealth through expensive jewelry, fur coats, and fine clothes.
They ain't foolin', and if you fool around with them
Louis Jordan is warning men that these women are not playing games, and they should be careful of their intentions.
If she saves your dough, and won't go to a show
Louis Jordan advises men to be wary of women who refuse to go out and spend their money, even if they hoard it.
And if she's easy to kiss and never resists
The musician teaches men to beware of women who are too easy to kiss and do not show any signs of resistance, as they are likely not interested in a serious relationship.
And if you go for a walk, and she just listens while you talk
Louis Jordan warns men against women who agree with everything they say and nod along, because that means they may be trying to win them over.
And nobody's lookin' and she asks you to taste her cookin'
Louis Jordan reminds men that women who invite them to try their cooking while they're alone could be trying to seduce them.
And if you go to a show and she wants to sit in the back row
Louis Jordan advises men to bring women who want to sit in the back row of a show to the front row as it could be a sign of her intentions.
And if you go for a snack, and she wants a booth in the back
Louis Jordan warns men that women looking to be alone in a booth at the back corner of a café could be trying to seduce them.
And listen, if she's used to caviar and fine silk
Louis Jordan cautions men to be mindful of women who are accustomed to fine things and expensive tastes when they prefer cheap foods or simpler things when going out on dates.
She's been used to goin' to carnegie hall, and when you take her out night clubbing
Men should be suspicious of women who have expensive tastes in music and art but instead choose to go night clubbing with them and request unintellectual things.
If she grabs your hand and says, "darling, you're such a nice man"
Louis Jordan warns that if a woman grabs a man's hand and gives him a compliment, he should be vigilant as it could be a sign that she's trying to seduce him.
Listen to me, you thinks he's listening to me
Louis Jordan reminds men once more to pay attention to his warnings and take action accordingly.
If her sister calls you brother, you better get further
Men should be cautious if a woman's sister addresses them as their brother as such closeness could mean they're in cahoots with the woman to seduce men.
And if she's kind of wild, and she says, "darling, please give me a trial"
Louis Jordan reminds men that women who are obviously flirtatious and ask dare men to come close could be trying to seduce them.
If she looks up in your face and just melts into place
Louis Jordan warns men against women who try to use intimate touches to evoke desire.
Should I tell him about the thing...
Louis Jordan begins to contemplate whether or not he should exaggerate or hide the truth with regards to his warnings.
Listen, if she calls you on the phone, and she says, "darling, are you all alone?"
Louis Jordan urges men to be wary of women who call and insist upon knowing if they're alone or not.
If you turn out the light and she don't fight
Louis Jordan warns men that if women do not object to intimacy, they should be careful as it might be a sign that they have ulterior motives.
If you get home about two and you don't know what to do
Louis Jordan advises men to be cautious upon returning home if they are unsure of their date's intentions.
Brother, beware, beware, beware
Louis Jordan ends his song with an ardent warning for men to be careful of women who have ulterior motives.
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Basil Shahid
One of the most genius talents we’ve ever produced!
LJ was all that!
bill m
Words of advice that still apply today.
Dwight Love
Tell this to Kanye West
Angelo Anello
Only to the Fatherless, raised on welfare.
Dwight Love
@Angelo Anello Welfare applies to everyone.
Basil Shahiyd
The Grandfather of rap!
LJ was ahead of his time!!!
Dwight Love
Basil Shayid Once again straight up facts!!!!!!
Bradley VanTassal
Actually that title belongs to Rudy Ray Moore, aka Dolomite.
Dwight Love
@Bradley VanTassal Sorry but this man came before Rudy Ray Moore
Ernesto Escobar
For real all that smoking and drinking talk, he really started it all.