The family hailed from Boaz, Alabama, but rode the rails and hitch hiked to California in 1933 when the band members were still children, following the failed efforts of their sharecropper parents during the early part of the Depression. They were a little in advance of the flood of Okies who were to flood the state in the 30s. They struggled to make a living as intinerant fruit and vegetable pickers following the harvest as far north as Washington state, and as far east as Arizona, as well as in the San Joaquin Valley. They often worked from dawn to dusk, sleeping and eating on the ground.
Having settled in Modesto, the family developed their musical ability and, in 1937 performed on the radio, sponsored by a local furniture store. In 1939 they entered a hillbilly band competition at the centennial Sacramento State Fair after driving to Sacramento in their Model A. When they took the stage they tore through "Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down" with rocking rhythms and risque lyrics. They became, officially, California's best hillbilly band.
The brothers and Rose appeared at places such as the 97th Street Corral in Los Angeles.
From 1946-1951 the group recorded for 4 Star Records (Hollywood), then for Columbia Records. Some 4 Star masters were leased and released by US.-Decca Records at the beginning of the 1950s. The following quotes are from Rose Maddox. "We were called hillbilly singers - not country - then. No, none of this country music then. People just called us hillbilly... People tell me that I was one of the first women to sing what I sang - country boogie. I guess I was. There was no rock 'n' roll in those early days, before 1955. Only country boogie. My brothers also played that way. We called it country then."
The Maddox's material ranged from the country standards of Hank Williams and Merle Travis, cowboy songs, to the Western swing of Bob Wills, to old-time, folk, and church singing, to jazz, swing, boogie woogie and even a taste of early rock and roll.
Fred Maddox played upright bass using the "slap bass" technique as early as 1937.[5] This trademark backbeat, a slapping bass style, helped drive a broad change in popular music, sporting a faster, immediately discernible rhythm that came to be known as rockabilly.
Fred Maddox's bass is displayed at the Experience Music Project in Seattle. "They wanted his bass because they believe he might have hit the first note of rock 'n' roll on it."
[edit]Band members
Cliff Maddox (born 1912 Boaz, Alabama - died 1949)
Cal Maddox (born November 3, 1915 Boaz, Alabama - died 1968)
Fred Maddox (born July 3, 1919 Boaz, Alabama - died October 29, 1992)
Don Maddox (born December 7, 1922 Boaz, Alabama)
Rose Maddox (born August 15, 1925 Boaz, Alabama - died April 15, 1998)
Henry Maddox (born March 19, 1928 Boaz, Alabama - died 1974)
Move It On Over
Maddox Brothers & Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That baby of mine wouldn't let me in
So move it on over (move it on over)
Move it on over (move it on over)
Move over little dog 'cause the big dog's moving in
She's changed the lock on my front door
My door key don't fit no more
Scoot it on over (move it on over)
Move over skinny dog 'cause the fat dog's moving in
The dog house here is mighty small
But it's better than no house at all
So ease it on over (move it on over)
Drag it on over (move it on over)
Move over old dog 'cause a new dog's moving in
She told me not to play around
But I done let the deal go down
So pack it on over (move it on over)
Tote it on over (move it on over)
Move over nice dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
She warned me once, she warned me twice
But I don't take no one's advice
So scratch it on over (move it on over)
Shake it on over (move it on over)
Move over short dog 'cause a tall dog's moving in
She'll crawl back to me on her knees
I'll be busy scratching fleas
So slide it on over (move it on over)
Sneak it on over (move it on over)
Move over good dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
Remember pup, before you whine
That side's yours and this side's mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
Move over cold dog 'cause a hot dog's moving in
The lyrics of Maddox Brothers & Rose's song Move It On Over describe the dilemma of a man who comes home late and finds out that his wife has locked him out of their house. Despite his efforts, his door key does not fit in anymore, and his wife does not let him in, prompting him to move it on over. The lyrics reveal that his wife warned him not to play around, but he did not heed her advice, prompting her to lock him out. The man decides to move into the dog house, which is small but better than no house at all. The lyrics humorously suggest that a new dog is moving in, implying that the man is moving back into the house.
The song's chorus, "Move it on over," suggests that the man is moving on from his mistakes and taking responsibility for his actions. The lyrics use metaphors of dogs and dog houses to describe the marital discord, which adds humor to the song's overall tone. The satire in the lyrics helps to lighten the impact of the man's infidelity, making it more relatable to listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Came in last night at half past ten
I arrived at home last night at half past ten
That baby of mine wouldn't let me in
My partner refused to let me in the house last night
So move it on over (move it on over)
I need a place to stay, so I need to come in the house
Move it on over (move it on over)
I need you to make space for me so I can come in
Move over little dog 'cause the big dog's moving in
I am asserting my dominance as the "big dog" and taking my place in the house
She's changed the lock on my front door
My partner changed the locks on the front door so I can't get in
My door key don't fit no more
My key no longer works on the new lock
So get it on over (move it on over)
I need to make my way into the house another way
Scoot it on over (move it on over)
I need to find a way to enter the house
Move over skinny dog 'cause the fat dog's moving in
I am taking over as the "fat dog" and making my presence known in the house
The dog house here is mighty small
The available space in the house is very limited
But it's better than no house at all
I am grateful for the limited amount of space provided to me
So ease it on over (move it on over)
I need to find a way to make more room for myself
Drag it on over (move it on over)
I need to make some more room for myself by moving things around
Move over old dog 'cause a new dog's moving in
I am the new "dog" in the house, and I deserve some space
She told me not to play around
My partner warned me against playing tricks or causing trouble
But I done let the deal go down
I didn't listen to my partner's warning, and now I'm in trouble
So pack it on over (move it on over)
I need to gather my things and leave
Tote it on over (move it on over)
I need to bring my belongings with me as I go
Move over nice dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
I am taking over as the "mad dog" in the house, and I expect to be treated with respect
She warned me once, she warned me twice
My partner gave me multiple warnings to behave myself
But I don't take no one's advice
I am stubborn and refuse to listen to anyone's advice
So scratch it on over (move it on over)
I should leave before things get worse
Shake it on over (move it on over)
I should make my presence scarce to avoid conflict
Move over short dog 'cause a tall dog's moving in
I am stepping in as the "tall dog," and I expect to be treated with respect for my size and strength
She'll crawl back to me on her knees
My partner will come back begging for my forgiveness
I'll be busy scratching fleas
I will be too busy and uninterested to listen to my partner's pleas
So slide it on over (move it on over)
I am taking control and putting my needs first
Sneak it on over (move it on over)
I will enter the house incognito to avoid any confrontation
Move over good dog 'cause a mad dog's moving in
I am taking over as the "mad dog" in the house, and I expect to be treated with respect
Remember pup, before you whine
Don't complain, little one, I am in charge now
That side's yours and this side's mine
You stay on your side and I'll stay on mine
So shove it on over (move it on over)
Make some space for me
Sweep it on over (move it on over)
I'm taking over this part of the house
Move over cold dog 'cause a hot dog's moving in
I am taking over as the "hot dog," and I expect to be treated with respect
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mgconlan
Rose Maddox is the real revelation from the Ken Burns "Country Music" documentary. There were great women country singers before her, like Sara Carter and Patsy Montana, but Rose was the first one who was assertive and projected independence. There wouldn't have been Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton if Rose Maddox hadn't blazed the trail for gutsy women to sing country music. This is a Hank Williams song but it sounds very different sung by a gutsy woman like Rose!
@maddymud
the revelation to me is that in 1948 this sounds way more like R&R than 1951's Rocket 88, which swings too much for my R&R taste. Move it on Over has that skip to it, that Rockabilly skip, the hiccup, like the way Elvis juices up Blue Moon of Kentucky. Rewrite the history books folks, this is the first Rock song as done by the Family Maddox reinventing Hank.
@maddymud
I wish Wanda would have done this as a duet with Elvis. This and a speeded up Yip Yip Da Hootie. Those woulda been great rockabilly barn burners. The Stray Cats should take a wack at this too.
@ClassicTVMan1981X
And like Hank Williams, Jr. just said, "They say 'Rock Around the Clock' is the first rock song. I don't agree with that." He referred to Bill Haley's song as being a "direct steal" of his father's "Move It On Over."
@RockRobT01
Rose's 1959 version is more to modern tastes, but this version is pretty authentic.
@cuznrichallison5285
Had the pleasure and honor to work with this Great group in Bakersfield back in the 70's.God Bless them all.
@calebcasey5375
these are my great grandfathers cousins and we still live happily in Boaz Alabama
@rebeccaparker3322
MY GREAT GRANDPA WAS CLIFF MADDOX
@brucew44guns
I've got an album which consists of about a dozen original 78 RPM records, all contained in a nice book like cover, of the Maddox brothers and Rose. My dad bought it around 1950, still like new. Quite a group.
@azand091
This is for my Mom and Dad miss you both and thanks for my love for music , RIP !!!