Who Do You Love
Muddy Waters & Bo Diddley Lyrics
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I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
Made from rattlesnake hide,
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
Made out of a human skull,
Now come on take a walk with me, arlene,
And tell me, who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
Just 22 and I don't mind dying.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
Take it easy arlene, don't give me no lip,
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
You should have heard just what I seen.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Arlene took me by my hand,
And she said oh bo, you know I understand.
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
The lyrics to "Who Do You Love?" by Muddy Waters and Little Walter are written in the style of a boastful and threatening love song. The opening lines are especially striking, as the singer claims to walk 47 miles of barbed wire and wear a cobra-snake for a necktie. These images conjure up a sense of danger and intensity, as if the singer is daring Arlene to test his limits. The rest of the song continues in this vein, with references to a brand new house made of rattlesnake hide, a chimney made of human skull, and a tombstone hand and graveyard mine.
The repetition of the question "Who do you love?" serves to underscore the possessiveness and jealousy of the singer. He seems to be saying that he will go to any extreme to keep Arlene by his side, including riding around town with a rattlesnake whip and threatening her not to give him any lip. The final stanza of the song takes a slightly different turn, as the singer describes a violent encounter he witnessed in the night. The fact that Arlene takes him by the hand and seems to understand what he has seen could be read as a signal that she is also drawn to this kind of danger and excitement.
Overall, "Who Do You Love?" is a bold and powerful song that showcases the talent and charisma of both Muddy Waters and Little Walter. Its lyrics are full of vivid images and intense emotions, and it remains a classic example of the blues genre to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk 47 miles of barbed wire,
I have traveled a great distance through a harsh and dangerous path.
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie,
I wear a dangerous and uncommon accessory with pride.
I got a brand new house on the roadside,
I have recently acquired a new home by the side of the road.
Made from rattlesnake hide,
The materials used in my new home are exotic and intimidating.
I got a brand new chimney made on top,
My house boasts a new chimney at the top for better ventilation.
Made out of a human skull,
The new chimney is made from a human skull, which adds a macabre element to its design.
Now come on take a walk with me, arlene,
Let us walk together, Arlene, and get to know each other better.
And tell me, who do you love?
Share with me, Arlene, the person you are fond of or have affection for.
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine,
I work in a graveyard and my hand is rough and worn like a tombstone.
Just 22 and I don't mind dying.
Despite my young age, I am not afraid to face death.
I rode around the town, use a rattlesnake whip,
I traveled around town and used a whip made from rattlesnakes as a weapon and means of intimidation.
Take it easy arlene, don't give me no lip,
Relax, Arlene, and do not argue with me.
Night was dark, but the sky was blue,
Although it was dark outside, the sky was still visible and clear.
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew,
A fast-moving wagon passed through the alley at a quick pace.
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed,
I heard a loud noise and someone cried out in fear or pain.
You should have heard just what I seen.
If only you were there to witness what I had witnessed.
Arlene took me by my hand,
Arlene held my hand and comforted me.
And she said oh bo, you know I understand.
She reassured me that she understands my feelings and what I have experienced.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellas McDaniel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind