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.
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
Louis Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickity-clack
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
And pal around with democratic fellows named Mac
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
You reach your destination, but alas and alack!
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You take your morning paper from the top of the stack
And read the situation from the front to the back
The only job that's open needs a man with a knack
So put it right back in the rack, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
Live the life of Riley in the beaten-down shack
So when I hear a whistle I can peek through the crack
And watch the train a-rolling when it's balling the jack
I just love the rhythm of the clickity clack
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
The song "Choo Choo Ch'boogie," popularized by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, is an upbeat song about the joys of traveling by train. The song begins with the singer expressing his exhaustion with traveling by hack and his eagerness to get back on the train. The train, for him, symbolizes freedom and adventure, as he speaks of the rhythm of the "clickity-clack" and the lonesome whistle. He also mentions his love for traveling with his pals, named Mac, suggesting that train travel brings people from all backgrounds together.
The second verse speaks of the need for compensation after reaching one's destination. The singer reads the newspaper to find a job listing that requires a skilled laborer. In this verse, the lyrics show the singer's cynicism towards the job market, suggesting that only those with a certain set of skills can find a job, and the rest are left to fend for themselves. Finally, in the third verse, the singer desires to settle down near a railroad track, living a simple life in a shack where he can watch the trains go by. He mentions the "balling the jack," a popular dance during the time, which enhances the joy he finds in the sound of trains.
Overall, the song pays homage to the freedom and adventure that train travel offers, as opposed to the monotony and struggle of everyday life in the city. The repetition of the "choo choo ch'boogie" refrain adds to the rhythm and the sense of excitement that train travel offers.
Line by Line Meaning
Heading for the station with a pack on my back
I am eagerly leaving my current location with my belongings to head towards the railway station.
I'm tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I am tired of using rickshaws and other similar modes of transportation.
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickity-clack
I have a great passion for the rhythmic clatter of the moving train wheels on the tracks.
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
I find comfort in hearing the sad cry of the locomotive whistle, and enjoy the sight of the smokestack as it raises smoke.
And pal around with democratic fellows named Mac
I enjoy the company of like-minded friends named Mac who value democratic principles.
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Please take me directly to the railway station, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
The rhythm of the train wheels and locomotive brought us in for an amazing time.
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
The cry of the locomotive whistle added to the excitement of my experience.
You reach your destination, but alas and alack!
You have reached your destination with a feeling of sadness and disappointment.
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You need to receive payment to help with your current negative financial situation.
You take your morning paper from the top of the rack
You retrieve your newspaper early in the morning from the highest point of the stack.
And read the situation from the front to the back
You read the news story from the beginning to the end with a keen interest.
The only job that's open needs a man with a knack
The only available job requires a person with a particular set of skills.
So put it right back in the rack, Jack!
Please disregard the job offer, Jack!
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
I am going to reside near the railway track for an extended period.
Live the life of Riley in the beaten-down shack
I'm going to enjoy the pleasant lifestyle of residing in a rustic hut.
So when I hear a whistle I can peek through the crack
I can glimpse outside through the tiny hole in my shanty whenever I hear a whistle sound.
And watch the train a-rolling when it's balling the jack
I observe with delight the swiftly moving train when it speeds along the tracks.
I just love the rhythm of the clickity clack
I have a deep rooted appreciation for the satisfying beat of the chugging train wheels on the railway track.
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Please take me back to the railroad station, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
The repetitive train sounds and tunes excite me.
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
The crescendoing and decrescendoing of the train whistle add more spice to the experience.
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
Please take me back to the railway station, Jack!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Denver Darling, Milton Gabler, Vaughn Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sussylh4124
0:26
Heading for the station with a pack on my back
I'm tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickity-clack
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
And pal around with democratic fellows named Mac
So take me right back to the track, Jack!
0:43
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
1:10
You reach your destination, but alas and alack!
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You take your morning paper from the top of the stack
And read the situation from the front to the back
The only job that's open needs a man with a knack
So put it right back in the rack, Jack!
1:28
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
2:06
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
Live the life of Riley in the beaten-down shack
So when I hear a whistle I can peek through the crack
And watch the train a-rolling when it's balling the jack
I just love the rhythm of the clickity-clack
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
2:23
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
2:42
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
@alaurel81
Lyrics if you cant hold still while listening to this :=)
Heading for the station with a pack on my back
I'm tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickity-clack
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
And pal around with democratic fellows named Mac
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
You reach your destination, but alas and alack!
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You take your morning paper from the top of the stack
And read the situation from the front to the back
The only job that's open needs a man with a knack
So put it right back in the rack, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
Live the life of Riley in the beaten-down shack
So when I hear a whistle I can peek through the crack
And watch the train a-rolling when it's balling the jack
I just love the rhythm of the clickity clack
So, take me right back to the track, Jack!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Woo woo, ooh ooh, ch'boogie!
Choo choo, choo choo, ch'boogie!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
Take me right back to the track, Jack!
@exstock
Last time I went to Walmart, they were playing this song. Usually it's 80s soft rock. Dunno what glorious maniac took over the sound system to play Louis Jordan instead, but I sure was glad they did.
@rosebonifaciorealty3899
wow props to that guy
@morna45
It's GREAT to hear the roots of rock and roll. Long live it all!
@RivieraByBuick
u mean Rhythm n Blues 😉
@lucianoblues8753
I grew up among amazing songs, this is one of them. Thank you for sharing!
@munchkin9614
That smile just brightened my day.
@lilhappy12
the smile scared me
@clutchgolf
Even if your having a shitty day, this will cheer you up.
@Emelefpi
This and 'Boogie in the Barnyard' by LJ as well. In fact, so many of his songs qualify as well
@peacebewithu9684
This song went double platinum in 1946 RESPECT!