Tramp
Otis Redding feat. Carla Thomas Lyrics
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What you call me? (tramp!)
No you didn't! (you don't wear continental clothes, or Stetson hats)
Well, I tell you one doggone thing
It makes me feel good to know one thing, I know I am a lover
(Matter of opinion) that's all right, mama was, papa too
And I'm the only child, lovin' is all I know to do
(You know what, Otis?) what? (you're country)
(You know what, you wear overalls)
(And big old brogan shoes)
And you need a haircut, tramp (haircut, woman, you foolin', ooh, I'm a lover)
Mama was, grandmama, papa too, boogaloo, all that stuff
And I'm the only son-of-a-gun this side of the Sun
Tramp! (yeah, that's what you are)
(You know what, Otis? I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp) what?
(That's right, you haven't even got a fat bankroll in your pocket)
(You probably haven't even got twenty-five cents)
I got six Cadillacs, five Lincolns, four Fords
Six Mercuries, three T-Birds, Mustangs, ooh, I'm a lover
My mama was, my papa too
I'm gonna tell you one thing (well, tell me)
I'm the only son-of-a-gun this side of the sun.
(You're a tramp, Otis) (no I'm not)
(I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp) what's wrong with that?
(Lookee here, ou ain't got no money) I got everything
(You can't buy me all those minks and sables and all that stuff I want)
I can buy you minks, rats, frogs, squirrels, rabbits, anything you want, woman
(Look, you can go out in the Georgia woods and catch them, baby)
Oh, you goofy, now (no, you're still a tramp) that's all right
(Tramp, Otis, you just a tramp) that's all right, that's all right
You wear overalls, you need a haircut, baby
Cut off some of that hair off your head
You think you a lover, huh?
The lyrics of Otis Redding's song Tramp feature a conversation between two people engaged in playful banter. Otis and the other person are jokingly discussing each other's appearances and styles. The other person calls Otis a tramp, and Otis responds with a confident denial and a proclamation that he is a lover. Otis also mentions that he comes from the Georgia woods, highlighting his rural roots. The two continue to tease each other, with the other person poking fun at Otis's supposed lack of money and Otis boasting about his numerous cars and his ability to provide for anyone he loves.
Despite the light-hearted tone of the song, there are underlying themes of class and race. Otis, who is black, is being teased by someone who appears to be white and who is mocking him for not wearing expensive clothes like Stetson hats. The other person also comments on Otis's need for a haircut and his overalls, which are often associated with working-class people. However, Otis confidently asserts his identity as a lover, arguing that his background and appearance do not define him.
Overall, Tramp is a catchy and playful song that masks deeper social commentary about identity and class in America.
Line by Line Meaning
(Tramp!)
A confrontational introduction to the song
What you call me? (tramp!)
The singer is taken aback by the insult
No you didn't! (you don't wear continental clothes, or Stetson hats)
The singer disputes the classification of being a tramp based on their appearance
Well, I tell you one doggone thing
It makes me feel good to know one thing, I know I am a lover
The artist takes pride in their identity as a lover
(Matter of opinion) that's all right, mama was, papa too
The artist acknowledges that opinions differ on what qualifies as a tramp, but points out that their parents were lovers as well despite potentially being labeled tramps themselves
And I'm the only child, lovin' is all I know to do
The singer feels that their upbringing as an only child has led to their focus on love
(You know what, Otis?) what? (you're country)
That's all right (you straight from the Georgia woods) that's good!
The singer accepts their country background and takes pride in it
(You know what, you wear overalls)
(And big old brogan shoes)
And you need a haircut, tramp (haircut, woman, you foolin', ooh, I'm a lover)
The artist continues to reject the label of tramp based on their attire and focuses on their identity as a lover
Mama was, grandmama, papa too, boogaloo, all that stuff
And I'm the only son-of-a-gun this side of the Sun
The artist emphasizes their familial history of love and identifies themselves as unique in their expression of that love
(You're a tramp, Otis) (no I'm not)
(I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp) what's wrong with that?
The argument continues, with the artist still rejecting the label of tramp and questioning why it matters
(Lookee here, ou ain't got no money) I got everything
(You can't buy me all those minks and sables and all that stuff I want)
I can buy you minks, rats, frogs, squirrels, rabbits, anything you want, woman
(Look, you can go out in the Georgia woods and catch them, baby)
Oh, you goofy, now (no, you're still a tramp) that's all right
The argument shifts to finances and material possessions, with the singer asserting their wealth but still being called a tramp by their partner
(Tramp, Otis, you just a tramp) that's all right, that's all right
You wear overalls, you need a haircut, baby
Cut off some of that hair off your head
You think you a lover, huh?
The song ends with the partner continuing to call the artist a tramp, focusing on their appearance, and the artist still claiming their identity as a lover
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm
Written by: JIMMY MCCRACKLIN, LOWELL FULSOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@That_AMC_Guy
@@Hamman21 Stax was not the most well-equipped studio even into the 1970's. If memory serves me, they shelled out the big money for an AMPEX 8-track tape machine in 1965 or '66.... but they used that machine well into the 70's. I don't think they had the money to go 16-track until sometime in 1971. The Shaft Soundtrack by Isaac Hayes was probably one of their first - if not THE first 16-track session at Stax.
For comparison, the big boy studios controlled by the likes of RCA or Columba were 16-track by the fall of 1968. Even some of the independent studios like the Record Plant in New York or American Sound in LA were 16-track no later than 1970.
Recording vocals is no easy task. You also had to consider distortion. Are you familiar with the Beatles song "Revolution"? EMI engineers originally told the boys they could not cut that record. The needle would jump out of the groove!
Otis' voice would cause lots of distortion if his voice weren't toned-down a bit when he gets loud.
So many things to consider in this case.... his vocal mike.... how many takes they tried to do, what the booth sounded like..... the recording process in the 60's was pretty difficult.
@queenratv115
I’m here 2023 I’m 68 love this song
@cohoegravitino5559
I think that this song loves you too.
@raymyslewski9494
I think I've heard this with my friends. Of course it was, like, 1968 when it came out. But I've heard this kind of back and forth across tables many times. "Oakland's Own"...
@darrenduncan1674
😂 This old familiar comical duet with the late great Otis Redding just popped into my head for no particular reason at all while I was washing my dishes this morning and it kept playing over and over in my mind on 10/25/23. So that's what brought me here. Haven't heard it in years.
@raymyslewski9494
Same thing here. I take a 3 mile walk every morning. Four years running. I was just walking and I thought "...And you need a haircut, Tramp...", "Woman, you too!"
@EmmelineBT
Ain’t nobody still killing it like Otis man!! Heart and soul ❤️
@robcockayne
Doesn't come anywhere near Lowell
@stevengilmore1509
Wilson Pickett too. Driving force soul!
@goosedoesnotapprove
I think of Rooster entering the bar in Top Gun whenever I hear this
@stevengilmore1509
That is exactly why I sought out this song!