Ray Stevens (born Harold Ray Ragsdale, 24th January 1939) is an American country and pop singer-songwriter, best known for a series of irreverent, quirky singles such as "Mississippi Squirrel Revival" and "The Streak". His recording career began with two singles released on Prep Records, followed by a short stint with Capitol Records. Both contracts were made with the help of Atlanta, Georgia music maven Bill Lowery.
Stevens joined Lowery's National Recording Corporation in 1958, where he also was a member of the NRC staff band, playing numerous instruments, arranging, and doing background vocals. When NRC went into bankruptcy, he signed with Mercury Records, and started a series of hit records in the 1960s that included "Ahab the Arab" and "Jeremiah Peabody's Polyunsaturated Quick-Dissolving, Fast-Acting Pleasant-Tasting Green and Purple Pills". The later song held the record as the longest title to hit the Top 40 chart until being surpassed in 1981 by the Stars on 45 Medley, whose official title included the titles of 10 other songs because of copyright requirements.
Stevens became a producer and well-known studio musician on the Nashville scene, and recorded hits for Monument, Barnaby, Warner Brothers, MCA and RCA. Perhaps his most famous hit is "The Streak" (1974), which poked fun at the early-1970s "streaking" fad of running nude in public; this was a No 1 in both the UK and the USA. His novelty song "Bridget the Midget (The Queen of the Blues)" reached No 2 on the UK chart in 1971.
Stevens' biggest hit was his gospel-inflected single "Everything Is Beautiful" (1970). A plea for love and tolerance during turbulent times in the United States, the song shot to Number 1 there. Stevens has won two Grammy Awards: one for "Everything Is Beautiful" and one for the arrangement of his country and western version of the jazz standard "Misty" (1975). He also recorded a version of Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" in the style of a clucking chicken, under the pseudonym Henhouse Five Plus Too. This was a Top 40 hit in the US and UK.
With the popularity of the song "Everything Is Beautiful", Stevens had a variety show on CTV. The Ray Stevens Show appeared in Canada in 1970 and soon appeared in the United States on NBC and the United Kingdom on the BBC. Although it only has eight episodes, it is mostly known for being the show that launched the career of regular cast member Steve Martin.
Ray Stevens was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1991, Stevens opened the Ray Stevens Theater in Branson, Missouri. He performed there regularly until 2006, when he sold the theater.
In 2012, Stevens released The Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music, an 8-CD collection of what Stevens considered the 96 greatest comedy songs of all-time.
In the fall of 2019, Stevens will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Hustler
Ray Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the southside nine ball palace
When I stepped in off the sidewalk
With my pool cue in my hand
I said "I've come for Texas Slim
We're gonna shoot nine ball me and him
And tonight we're gonna see who is the better man."
And I've already beaten all the rest
From New York to Chicago and L.A.
They say that he's the king of hustlers
An old time Texas pool hall rustler
And ain't he the man that used to say:
Never make it look too easy when you break 'em
Get all the money out on the table
Then take time to chalk and aim
Don't take pity on 'em, southern son, just take 'em
'Cause if you can't afford to lose
Then you should never play the game
Then out of the shadows dim
Stepped what once was Texas Slim
He was ripped, worn and ragged
Kinda rundown at the heel
He said "it's been a long time son
Since I've shot pool with anyone
But I'll play you one game if that's the way you feel."
He was a pitiful looking man
With a three day beard and a trembling hand
Had to take him a shot of whiskey to ease the shakes
I said "I've come to take you for all you've got
And it don't matter if it ain't a lot
And just to show you I'm a sportin' man you can have the break."
And then a smile crossed the face
Of every pool shark in that place
As slim took down his custom inlaid pool cue from its stand
He said "I've heard for days that you were comin'
With your pockets full and your young mouth runnin'
And tonight we're gonna find out who is the better man."
Then all I heard were cue balls crack,
Nine balls fall and Slim say "Rack!"
And he kept the run till all my money was gone
And then he looked at me with those eyes of ice
And said "son I'll just leave you with this advice
To ponder as you hitchhike your way back home: "
Never make it look too easy when you break 'em
Get all the money out on the table
Then take time to chalk and aim
Don't take pity on 'em, southern son, just take 'em
'Cause if you can't afford to lose
Then you should never play the game
Never make it look too easy when you break 'em
Get all the money out on the table
Then take time to chalk and aim
Don't take pity on 'em, southern son, just take 'em
'Cause if you can't afford to lose
Then you should never play the game
The song "The Hustler" by Ray Stevens tells the story of a young man walking into a southside nine ball palace in Dallas to take on Texas Slim, the self-proclaimed king of pool hall hustlers. The singer steps into the establishment with confidence, cue in hand, ready to take on the best. Texas Slim, who was worn, ragged, and trembling had not played pool in a while, but accepted the challenge. Slim went on to beat him and taught him a valuable lesson while doing so. "Never make it look too easy when you break them, get all the money out on the table, then take the time to chalk and aim, don't take pity on them, southern son, just take them." The message of the song is clear, even when you are the best, don't underestimate your opponent and always take the time to be careful.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a cool night in Dallas
The story takes place on a chilly evening in Dallas.
At the southside nine ball palace
The location of the story is at a nine-ball pool hall in the southern part of Dallas.
When I stepped in off the sidewalk
The singer entered the pool hall from the street.
With my pool cue in my hand
The artist is carrying his pool cue with him.
I said "I've come for Texas Slim
The artist announces his intention to challenge Texas Slim to a game.
We're gonna shoot nine ball me and him
The singer and Texas Slim are going to play a game of nine-ball pool.
And tonight we're gonna see who is the better man."
The game will determine the better pool player between the two.
Well I've heard he used to be the best
The artist has heard that Texas Slim was once the best pool player.
And I've already beaten all the rest
The artist has defeated all other pool players he has faced.
From New York to Chicago and L.A.
The artist has played pool in major cities across the country.
They say that he's the king of hustlers
Texas Slim is known as the best pool hustler.
An old time Texas pool hall rustler
Texas Slim is a traditional pool hall con artist.
And ain't he the man that used to say:
Texas Slim was known for his famous sayings.
Never make it look too easy when you break 'em
Don't show off at the beginning of the game.
Get all the money out on the table
Make sure all money is put up before the game starts.
Then take time to chalk and aim
Take your time and prepare for each shot.
Don't take pity on 'em, southern son, just take 'em
Don't go easy on your opponent.
'Cause if you can't afford to lose
If you can't lose the money, don't play.
Then you should never play the game
Avoid playing if you can't afford to lose.
Then out of the shadows dim
Texas Slim appears from a dark corner of the pool hall.
Stepped what once was Texas Slim
Texas Slim is not in great shape like he used to be.
He was ripped, worn and ragged
Texas Slim looks run-down and unkept.
Kinda rundown at the heel
His shoes are worn.
He said "it's been a long time son
Texas Slim hasn't played a game of pool in a long time.
Since I've shot pool with anyone
He hasn't played anyone in a while.
But I'll play you one game if that's the way you feel."
Texas Slim agrees to play the singer in a game.
He was a pitiful looking man
Texas Slim looks very sorry and depressed.
With a three day beard and a trembling hand
His facial hair is overgrown and he has shaky hands.
Had to take him a shot of whiskey to ease the shakes
Texas Slim drinks whiskey to calm his nerves.
I said "I've come to take you for all you've got
The singer wants to hustle Texas Slim.
And it don't matter if it ain't a lot
The amount of money doesn't matter to the singer.
And just to show you I'm a sportin' man you can have the break."
The artist gives Texas Slim the first turn.
And then a smile crossed the face
Texas Slim is excited to start the game.
Of every pool shark in that place
Other pool hall regulars are watching the game.
As slim took down his custom inlaid pool cue from its stand
Texas Slim takes his favorite pool cue from its rack.
He said "I've heard for days that you were comin'
Texas Slim has been expecting the artist.
With your pockets full and your young mouth runnin'
The singer has been talking about his successes.
And tonight we're gonna find out who is the better man."
The game determines the best player between them.
Then all I heard were cue balls crack,
The game begins with the sound of cue balls hitting each other.
Nine balls fall and Slim say "Rack!"
Texas Slim wins the game and tells the artist to set up the next game.
And he kept the run till all my money was gone
Texas Slim wins all the money the artist put up.
And then he looked at me with those eyes of ice
Texas Slim has a serious look in his eyes.
And said "son I'll just leave you with this advice
Texas Slim gives the singer some wisdom.
To ponder as you hitchhike your way back home: "
The artist is hitchhiking after losing all his money.
Never make it look too easy when you break 'em
Texas Slim repeats his adage again.
Get all the money out on the table
Make sure to put all the money on the table before playing.
Then take time to chalk and aim
Take your time to be accurate with your shot.
Don't take pity on 'em, southern son, just take 'em
Don't go easy on your opponent.
'Cause if you can't afford to lose
If you can't lose the money, don't play.
Then you should never play the game
Avoid playing if you can't afford to lose.
Writer(s): C. KALG JR., C. KALB
Contributed by Mason V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David W.
on The Ballad of Jake McClusky
Verse 1
Well every friday evening, when Jake McClusky’d finished eating,
he’d excuse himself and hurry off to his weekly lodgehall meeting.
Till Ethel Mae his wife found out what no one could dispute;
That that lodgehall was no lodge at all, but a house of ill repute.
Now I don’t think I've ever seen a woman quite that mad before.
She marched right down to that evil place and started kicking in the door.
She yelled, “I know you’re in there, Jake McClusky, you low down philanderin’ liar.”
And then she soaked her down with kerosene, and set the whole dang place on fire.
Well the crowed had gathered up outside but no one moved or spoke.
Till a trembling voice from deep inside said, *cough* *cough* “I smell smoke.”
Then that ole house started shaking, folks began to scream and shout.
Then the door flew off its hinges and, Lord, folks start spewin’ out.
Chorus
Oh the flames (oh the flames), of retribution.
Could be seen (could be seen), from miles around.
Yea there never was so much confusion in a lil’ Georgia town,
As the day that Ethel Mae McClusky burned the lodgehall down.
Verse 2
First judge Oliver Wendell Justice came out runnin’ for his life,
But he turned and ran back in the flames when he caught sight of his wife.
And self ordained Elijah Bane, and evangelist of sorts,
Claimed he’s down there savin’ souls in his pinstripe jockey shorts.
Then out came the mayor, and a banker we all knew.
The police chief, and the sheriff, and a deputy or two.
And when they asked the sheriff what he was doin’ in that den of degradation
He said, “Well me and the boys just carrying out a little undercover investigation.”
And then the ladies of the evening clad in just their lingerie,
Were crying, “We’ve lost everything, how’ll we live, where’ll we stay?”
And then a lawyer said, “I’ll help you file for welfare so you can eat,
And you can all stay out at my place till you can get back off your feet.”
Chorus
Oh the flames (oh the flames), of retribution.
Could be seen (could be seen), from miles around.
Yea there never was so much confusion in a lil’ Georgia town,
As the day that Ethel Mae McClusky burned the lodgehall down.
Verse 3
Now where ole Jake McClusky is today, is anybody’s guess.
He came smokin’ out that back door, in a state of complete undress.
Ran streaking off into the night and no one’s seen him since.
But I’ll always recall how he mooned us all as he cleared the backyard fence.
Chorus x2
Oh the flames (oh the flames), of retribution.
Could be seen (could be seen), from miles around.
Yea there never was so much confusion in a lil’ Georgia town,
As the day that Ethel Mae McClusky burned the lodgehall down.
Ron Moon
on The Booger Man
I have copied the lyrics from the original recording if you want them.