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.
What's The Use Of Getting Sober
Louis Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, Pappy
And stop drinking so much
I'm-I'm ain't been doing so much drinking, Pappy
Shut up, boy! You drink all day and you drink all night and you know, son, that that ain't right
Oh Pappy, you just give me a chance. I, I can, I . . .
Shut up, boy! Boy, you're lookin' thin as a twig
I know that . . . Look likes your dear old Pappy - about to blow your wig
What's the use of getting sober
When you're gonna get drunk again
Oh Sam done something fine
When he bought that good whiskey, beer and wine
I love my whiskey and I love my gin
Every time you see me I'm in my sin
So what's the use of getting sober
When you're gonna get drunk again
I went out last night about half past one
Thought I'd whoop it up a little and have some fun
I got me a half pint about half past two
Mmm, mmm, the way I was feeling you know what I wanna do
Got me a pint about half past four
Felt so good, went out and got me some more
Got me a quart about half past five
Boy, that was so nice didn't know if I was dead or alive
So what's the use of getting sober If you're gonna get drunk again
Oh Sam done something fine
When he bought that good whiskey, beer and wine
I love my whiskey and I love my gin
Every time you see me I'm in my sin
So what's the use of getting sober
When you're gonna get drunk again
Well I've been thinking
But I keep drinking
I guess I'm 'bout lose my mind
The lyrics to Louis Jordan's song, "What's the Use of Getting Sober", tell the story of a man who is constantly advised by his "Pappy" to stop drinking so much, but he just can't seem to give it up. The conversation between the man and his Pappy reveals that he has been drinking throughout the day and night, and though he appears thin and worn out, he is still determined to have a good time. The man sings the chorus, questioning the point of getting sober if he is just going to get drunk again.
The lyrics of this song are a clear reflection of the culture during the post-Prohibition era, where it was not uncommon to find individuals drinking excessively, despite varying societal norms that aimed at curtailing the rising drinking culture.
The song uses humor, exaggeration, and sarcasm to convey its message. The character of the Pappy is used to bring out a sense of frustration and disapproval towards excessive drinking while the singer, despite his presumed state of despair, shows little remorse, indicating the difficulties of overcoming addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, you listen to your old Pappy
Pappy offers advice and guidance to his son.
Shut up, boy! You drink all day and you drink all night and you know, son, that that ain't right
Pappy admonishes his son for his excessive drinking habits.
Boy, you're lookin' thin as a twig
Pappy comments on his son's physical appearance.
Look likes your dear old Pappy - about to blow your wig
Pappy warns his son of the dangers of heavy drinking.
What's the use of getting sober
When you're gonna get drunk again
Oh Sam done something fine
When he bought that good whiskey, beer and wine
The singer questions the point of sobriety when he will inevitably return to drinking. He praises Sam for buying quality alcohol.
I love my whiskey and I love my gin
Every time you see me I'm in my sin
The singer admits to his love of alcohol and being constantly inebriated.
I went out last night about half past one
Thought I'd whoop it up a little and have some fun
The singer recounts a recent night out drinking with the intention of enjoyment.
Got me a pint about half past four
Felt so good, went out and got me some more
The singer describes his increasing alcohol consumption as the night progressed.
Boy, that was so nice didn't know if I was dead or alive
The singer expresses the pleasure he feels from drinking heavily.
Well I've been thinking
But I keep drinking
I guess I'm 'bout lose my mind
Despite thinking about his drinking habits, the singer continues to indulge heavily and worries about his mental state.
Contributed by Declan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TarotDona
"Shut up boy!" The whole conversation at the beginning of this song cracks me up. We need to bring this style of music back. It's so classy...
@bluetopguitar1104
TarotDona....my dad when I would say something dumb.. LOL
@BowgFrowg
Won't let you down
@spiritual_music7396
clean and sober 4months, i know its a struggle to defeat your demons, but it is possible, great song, hopefully those days are long gone for me
@itsnotthesamething
Spiritual_Music73 I stayed that way for 20 years. Probably wouldn't be alive now, if I hadn't stopped back then. Keep it up. Life is much easier, and you will feel so much better, not only physically, but mentally, about yourself.
@spiritual_music7396
itsnotthesamething thank you, i try my best everyday that is all i can do, that is all any of us can do
@thaksjtube
+Spiritual_Music73 saw your post and I'm curious: are you still keeping this up today?
@TheCentralflorida
Shut up, boy
@mdmjr2468
@itsnotthesamething (Vito Scaletta): Ahh shit, what a day. i should go home now
@halnoyes4371
I'm not an alcoholic. I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings.