What's The Use Of Getting Sober
Louis Jordan His Tympany Five Lyrics
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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 son you know that, that ain't right
Oh Pappy, you just give me a chance, I, I can, I
I know that
Look liked your dear old Pappy you′re about to blow your wig
Oh I'm gonna blow my wig, Pappy
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 His Tympany Five's song, "What's the Use of Getting Sober," is a plea from a son to his father to stop drinking so much. The father, or Pappy, chastises the son for his excessive drinking, noting that he drinks all day and all night long. However, the son argues that he hasn't been drinking that much, but the father insists that he has.
Despite the father's admonishments, the son continues to indulge in his love for whiskey, gin, beer, and wine. He goes out and drinks excessively, feeling so good that he loses any sense of whether he's dead or alive. But despite his moments of euphoria, the son knows deep down that he's dangerously close to losing his mind.
The lyrics to "What's the Use of Getting Sober" speak to the idea that sometimes, no matter how much we try to resist temptation, we ultimately succumb to our vices. The singer in the song is in a constant battle with his addiction, and although he's told to quit by his father, he can't seem to resist the urge to drink.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy, you listen to your old Pappy
Listen to your elder and wiser father
Yeah, Pappy
Agreeing with his father
And stop drinking so much
Reduce his excessive drinking
I′m, I'm ain′t been doing so much drinking, Pappy
Defending himself by saying he hasn't been drinking much
Shut up, boy! You drink all day and you drink all night
Father scolding son for his excessive drinking
And son you know that, that ain't right
Father feels that son's drinking is wrong
Oh Pappy, you just give me a chance, I, I can, I
Son trying to justify his drinking behavior, pleading with his father for a chance
Shut up, boy! Boy, you're lookin′ thin as a twig
Father noting that son is looking quite thin and unwell
I know that
Son acknowledging what father just said
Look liked your dear old Pappy you′re about to blow your wig
Father suggesting that son is about to lose control and become agitated
Oh I'm gonna blow my wig, Pappy
Son agreeing with father's observation
What′s the use of getting sober
Questioning the purpose of becoming sober if he is going to drink again
When you're gonna get drunk again
Stating that he will drink again, making the previous statement irrelevant
Oh, Sam done something fine
Praising Sam for his purchase of alcohol
When he bought that good whiskey, beer and wine
Complimenting Sam's buying choices
I love my whiskey and I love my gin
Stating his love for these alcoholic beverages
Every time you see me I′m in my sin
Acknowledging his sinful behavior
So what's the use of getting sober
Repeating the previous question
When you′re gonna get drunk again
Restating that he will drink again
I went out last night about half past one
Narrating what happened last night
Thought I'd whoop it up a little and have some fun
Purpose of going out was to enjoy and have fun
I got me a half pint about half past two
Ordered half pint of alcohol at 2:30 AM
Mmm, mmm, the way I was feeling you know what I wanna do
Feeling good and desired more alcohol
Got me a pint about half past four
Later ordered a pint of alcohol at 4:30 AM
Felt so good, went out and got me some more
Feeling great and bought more alcohol
Got me a quart about half past five
Ordered a large amount of alcohol at 5:30 AM
Boy, that was so nice didn't know if I was dead or alive
Feeling an extreme, possibly heightened sensory experience or reaction
Well I′ve been thinking
Expressing that he has been reflecting on something
But I keep drinking
Continuing to drink despite his thoughts
I guess I'm ′bout lose my mind
Acknowledging the possibility of his own mental decline
Writer(s): Bubsy Meyers
Contributed by Kaitlyn 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.