Maddox was the singer in the Maddox Brothers and Rose, often considered to be "the greatest hillbilly band of all time". In 1996 she was nominated for a Grammy award for her Arhoolie recording $35 and a Dream. Her life story and that of the band were told in the biography, Ramblin' Rose: The Life and Career of Rose Maddox by Jonny Whiteside. ISBN 0-8265-1269-0.
Discography
Maddox Brothers & Rose
* America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band v.1 (Arhoolie Records, 1976/1993)
* America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band v.2 (Arhoolie, 1995)
* On The Air (Arhoolie, 1983/1996)
* Live On The Radio (1996)
* The Hillbilly Boogie Years (Rockateer, 1996)
* A Collection of Standard Sacred Songs (King, 1956)
* The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in America (Bear Family, 1998)
Solo/Compilations
* Precious Memories (Columbia, 1958)
* The One Rose (Capitol, 1960)
* Glorybound Train (Capitol, 1961)
* A Big Bouquet of Roses (Capitol, 1961)
* Rose Maddox Sings Bluegrass (Capitol, 1962/1996)
* Alone with You (Capitol, 1963)
* Rosie (Starday, 1970)
* Reckless Love & Bold Adventure (Takoma, 1977)
* Rose of the West Coast Country (Arhoolie, 1980)
* This is Rose Maddox (Arhoolie, 1982)
* A Beautiful Bouquet (Arhoolie, 1983)
* Queen of the West (Varrick, 1986)
* California Rose (See for Miles, 1989)
* $35 And A Dream (Arhoolie, 1994)
* The One Rose: The Capitol Years (Bear Family, 1994)
* The Moon is Rising (Country Town Music, 1996)
* "The Legendary Queen Of The West" (Boothill, 2000)
Wild Wild Young Men
Rose Maddox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wild wild young men like to have a good time
Wild wild boyfriends like to lose their minds
Wild men dig me, but i love a cool one
Wild men dig me, but i love a cool one
To go home to, but i've had my fun
Wild men hoop and holler and yell oh-wee
Wild men hoop and holler and yell oh-wee!
Well, they can romp and stomp
Well, they can rock and roll
Well, they can do the bop
Well, they can thrill my soul
Well, they can drink their wine
They all wanna be mine
Well, mercy-mercy, ain't that ashame
Well, mercy-mercy, ain't that ashame
Wild wild young men scandalize my name
All my girlfriends, they wonder how
All my girlfriends, they wonder how
How i make these young men go wild
Well, i just clap my hands
Well, i just wink my eye
Well, i just whisper "baby"
Well, i just heeve and sigh
Well, i just roll my hips
Then i leave 'em high and dry
Wild wild young men, i must confess
Wild men love me, i must confess
When i tame one, that'll be the mess
The song "Wild Wild Young Men" by Rose Maddox is a playful and flirtatious tune that is often interpreted as an empowering female anthem. The lyrics describe the singer's love for wild and passionate men who like to have a good time, but also acknowledge that she ultimately prefers a more level-headed partner to come home to. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody are a perfect fit for the subject matter, and Maddox's sassy delivery adds a touch of attitude to the proceedings.
Throughout the song, Maddox humorously describes the antics of her various suitors, from their hollering and screaming to their love of drinking wine. She also hints at the scandalous nature of her reputation due to her association with these wild men, but is unapologetic in her enjoyment of their company. Despite this, the singer also longs for a more stable and reliable partner, and suggests that when she finally finds someone who can keep up with her, it will be quite a sight to see.
On a deeper level, "Wild Wild Young Men" can be seen as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women to be demure and restrained in their behavior, particularly in the realm of sexuality. Maddox's embrace of her lust for pleasure and passion can be seen as a subversion of these expectations, and a celebration of female desire and agency.
Line by Line Meaning
Wild wild young men like to have a good time
Young men who are carefree and energetic love to enjoy themselves
Wild wild boyfriends like to lose their minds
A wild boyfriend is one who is spontaneous and impulsive
Wild men dig me, but i love a cool one
Although wild men are attracted to me, I prefer someone who is calm and composed
To go home to, but i've had my fun
I would love to have a companion to come home to, however, I have enjoyed my wild adventures for now
Wild men hoop and holler and yell oh-wee!
Wild men shout and scream out of excitement
They can scream and break down, but they don't kill me
Although their wild behavior can be overwhelming, it does not harm or affect me
Well, they can romp and stomp
They can move around energetically and excitedly
Well, they can rock and roll
They can move in a rhythmic and musical manner
Well, they can do the bop
They can dance to a style of music called bop
Well, they can thrill my soul
Their behavior and energy can excite and stimulate me
Well, they can drink their wine
They can consume alcohol
They all wanna be mine
Many of them are attracted to or interested in me
Well, mercy-mercy, ain't that ashame
It is unfortunate that they cannot control their wild behavior
Wild wild young men scandalize my name
The behavior of wild men damages my reputation
All my girlfriends, they wonder how
My friends are curious about how I attract wild men
How i make these young men go wild
They are wondering what I do to excite and stimulate these wild men
Well, i just clap my hands
I simply clap my hands to excite them
Well, i just wink my eye
I use eye contact to send signals and show interest
Well, i just whisper "baby"
I use endearing terms to show affection
Well, i just heeve and sigh
I express myself vocally to excite them
Well, i just roll my hips
I use physical gestures to evoke a reaction
Then i leave 'em high and dry
After getting them excited, I leave them to their own devices without committing to any relationship
Wild men love me, i must confess
Wild men are attracted to me
When i tame one, that'll be the mess
Taming a wild man will be quite the challenge
Writer(s): A. Ertegun
Contributed by Colin L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.