Born Maria Garzia Rosa Domenica d'Amato on 12th September 1943 in Greenwich Village, New York, she performed in the early 1960s in Greenwich Village with Bob Dylan, John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Stefan Grossman. Later in the 1960s her distinctive vocals were heard in many of the tracks recorded by Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band.
She began her solo career in 1972 when her marriage to fellow Jug Band member Geoff Muldaur ended, retaining her married name. Her first solo album "Maria Muldaur", released in 1973, contained her hit single "Midnight at the Oasis", which reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974. It also peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Chart. Later that year, she released her second album Waitress In A Donut Shop. This included a re-recording of "I'm a Woman", the Leiber and Stoller number first associated with Peggy Lee and a standout feature from her Jug Band days. The title of this album is taken from a line in another song on the album, "Sweetheart" by Ken Burgan.
Around this time, Muldaur established a relationship with the Grateful Dead. Opening for some Grateful Dead shows in the summer of 1974, with John Kahn, bassist of the Jerry Garcia Band, would eventually earn her a seat in that group in the late 1970s, as a backing vocalist.
Later in her career, as her voice deepened, the blues were featured in more of her recordings. Her 2005 release Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul was nominated for both a W.C. Handy Award and a Grammy award in the Traditional Blues Category.
In 2011 she released the album "Steady Love".
It Ain't the Meat It's the Motion
Maria Muldaur Lyrics
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That makes your daddy wanna rock
It ain't the meat it's the motion
It's the movement it isn't the stock
Well, I got a girl that's so darn thin
There ain't much of her but bones and skin
One thing about her I can understand
It ain't the meat it's the motion
That makes your daddy wanna rock
It ain't the meat it's the motion
It's the movement it isn't the stock
Well, I want a girl who's built real fat
Kenny don't like to see 'em like that
But I like to see 'em big and tall
The bigger they come the harder they fall
It ain't the meat it's the motion
That makes your daddy wanna rock
It ain't the meat it's the motion
It's the movement it isn't the stock
Well, I want someone who feels like they got to have love
Love to look at the stars above
My little baby, I want you to know
She'll bring me home all of her dough
It ain't the meat it's the motion
It ain't the meat, uhm uhm uhm
It ain't the meat, I say the action
That makes your daddy wanna rock
Bring it down one time
It ain't the meat it's the motion
It ain't the meat, I say the movement, girl
It ain't the meat, it's the action
That makes your daddy wanna rock
The song "It Ain't the Meat It's the Motion" by Maria Muldaur is about how the movement during intimacy is more important than physical appearance. The first verse talks about how it's not the size or shape of a person's body that matters, but rather their ability to move and make things happen. The second verse is about Muldaur's preference for bigger-bodied partners, despite her colleague Kenny's dislike for them. The third verse is about wanting a partner who is not just physically attractive, but also emotionally invested in the relationship.
The chorus repeats the idea that it's not the physical attributes of a person that make Muldaur want to "rock" (i.e. have sex) with them, but rather the way they move and behave during intimacy. This underscores the idea that true intimacy involves more than just physical attraction or sexual gratification. In the end, the song is a lighthearted celebration of the joys of physical intimacy and the importance of a strong emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain't the meat it's the motion
The key to turning your father on isn't physical attributes, but in the way you move.
That makes your daddy wanna rock
The manner in which you carry yourself will drive your father into a frenzy
It's the movement it isn't the stock
It's not the size or apparent sexiness of your body, but the way you present yourself
Well, I got a girl that's so darn thin
I once dated a girl with a very petite build
There ain't much of her but bones and skin
She wasn't well-endowed physically
One thing about her I can understand
What she lacked in size, she made up for in other ways
She wraps all around me like a rubber band, baby
She was very flexible and could contort herself in ways that were pleasurable for me
Well, I want a girl who's built real fat
I prefer women who are on the heavier side physically
Kenny don't like to see 'em like that
However, my friend Kenny doesn't share my preference
But I like to see 'em big and tall
I enjoy the presence of larger, statuesque women
The bigger they come the harder they fall
I find bigger women to be more attractive and intriguing than smaller ones
Well, I want someone who feels like they got to have love
I want a partner who is as passionate about our relationship as I am
Love to look at the stars above
Someone who enjoys life's little joys, like stargazing
My little baby, I want you to know
My love, it's important that you understand
She'll bring me home all of her dough
I expect my partner to contribute equally to our relationship in all respects, including financially
It ain't the meat, uhm uhm uhm
Physical attributes aren't nearly as important
It ain't the meat, I say the action
It's the way you present yourself and what you bring to the table
Bring it down one time
Let's take a break
It ain't the meat, I say the movement, girl
It's the way you move, baby
It ain't the meat, it's the action
How you carry yourself and what you contribute is what truly matters
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HENRY GLOVER, LOIS MANN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind