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.
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
Louis Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any time we have a date
But I love her
Yes I love her
I'm gonna walk right up to her gate
And see if I can get it straight
รข??Cause I want her
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Way you're acting lately makes me doubt
Youse is still my baby, baby
Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out
A woman is a creature that has always been strange
Just when you're sure of what you'll find
She's gone and made a change
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true
The lyrics of Louis Jordan's "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?" tell the story of a man who is unsure of his relationship with a woman. Despite her constant lateness and changes in behavior, the man still loves her and decides to confront her at her gate. He asks her directly if she is still his "baby" or if she has found someone new. The chorus focuses on his doubts about the relationship and his desire for a straightforward answer.
The song speaks to the uncertainty and complexity of romantic relationships, particularly those in which one partner's feelings are unclear or seem to have changed. The lyrics suggest that even though the man is confused and unsure about the relationship, he is still willing to put himself out there and ask for clarity. The woman is portrayed as a mysterious and unpredictable figure, adding to the tension and sense of mystery in the song.
Overall, the song is a classic example of the blues and R&B music that was popular in the mid-20th century. It features lively instrumentation and vocals that capture the energy and emotion of the lyrics. The song has remained popular over the years and has been covered by many other artists.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a gal who's always late
My significant other is consistently tardy
Any time we have a date
During our scheduled meetings
But I love her
Despite her time management issues, I have strong affections for her
Yes I love her
I need to emphasize how much I care for her
I'm gonna walk right up to her gate
I plan to arrive at her entrance
And see if I can get it straight
To request clarification on our status
รข??Cause I want her
She is important to me
I'm gonna ask her
I intend to inquire about her feelings
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Are you currently my lover?
Way you're acting lately makes me doubt
Your recent behavior causes me to question our relationship
Youse is still my baby, baby
Despite my concerns, I still feel connected to you
Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out
I sense that your romantic interest in me has waned
A woman is a creature that has always been strange
Females have a reputation for being difficult to understand
Just when you're sure of what you'll find
Just when you think you know her
She's gone and made a change
She does something to prove you wrong
Maybe baby's found somebody new
It's possible that she has moved on to another partner
Or is my baby still my baby true
But I hope that she still has feelings for me
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BILLY AUSTIN, LOUIS JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arealhebrew
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" is aย Louis Jordanย song, recorded on October 4, 1943,ย and released as the B-side of a single with "G.I. Jive" with the title "Is You Is or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby)". The song reached No. 1 on the US folk/country charts,number two for three weeks on the pop chart, and number three on theย R&B chart.
"Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby"Singleย byย Louis Jordanย & Hisย Tympany FiveA-side"G.I. Jive"Released1944Format10"RecordedOctober 4, 1943GenreRhythm and bluesLabelDeccaSongwriter(s)Billy Austin, Louis Jordan
In the 1932 American filmย Harlem Is Heaven, dancerย Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, accompanied by jazz pianistย Putney Dandridge, sings "Is You Is or Is You Ain't." The song in the film has different lyrics; but, in addition to its title, its melody is at times similar to that later used for "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby."
Bing Crosbyย andย The Andrews Sistersย recorded the song on June 30, 1944 for Decca Recordsand it too reached the No. 2 spot in the Billboard charts during a 12-week stay.
The song was covered by Ira "Buck" Woods as Tom Cat in the 1946ย Tom & Jerryย shortย Solid Serenade.
@dathblaze
Gotta love Tom and Jerry.
@audreyaguillon2650
right?!?!?!
@Andrew-mw9is
best show ever made
@NuisanceMan
Gotta love Louis Jordan!
@mireillemakelele352
Thought I was the only one who knew this song from Tom and Jerry...
@arethawhite3712
I know I do!!!!๐๐. They crack me up ๐ LOL now at the woman who screams out "Thomas"!!!!!!!!!! And then she hits him with that damn broom ๐ LOL!!!!! So damn funny ๐๐ ๐๐!!!! Peace out for now my friend ๐,be blessed and safe ok ๐๐. Much love from Bunn NC.๐๐๐๐.
@prateekpanwar646
Tom was most multi-talented cat at its time. He could play piano, sing, play trumpet, guitar, bass, violin while catching a mouse and running from bulldog. Dude must be superstar in its time.
@RifqiMainGitar
He once played Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 by Liszt, one of challenging pieces for piano, with just 8 fingers, while being disturbed by a mouse, but he was still able to finish it and even got an Oscar for it. If that ain't a talent, I don't know what is.
@Thaligamathor
Fish with a pole, go to outer space, work out, cow wrangling; the list goes on
@martinanastasovski3266
Taking pressing irons to the face like itโs nothing. Topper cat than Top Cat.