The above biography taken from: Wikipedia - Rufus Thomas
The Crown Prince of Dance; an early rock & roll DJ, Memphis soul icon and creator of the Funky Chicken.
Artist Biography (below) by Richie Unterberger
Few of rock & roll's founding figures are as likable as Rufus Thomas. From the 1940s onward, he has personified Memphis music; his small but witty cameo role in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train, a film which satirizes and enshrines the city's role in popular culture, was entirely appropriate. As a recording artist, he wasn't a major innovator, but he could always be depended upon for some good, silly, and/or outrageous fun with his soul dance tunes. He was one of the few rock or soul stars to reach his commercial and artistic peak in middle age, and was a crucial mentor to many important Memphis blues, rock, and soul musicians.
Thomas was already a professional entertainer in the mid-'30s, when he was a comedian with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. He recorded music as early as 1941, but really made his mark on the Memphis music scene as a deejay on WDIA, one of the few black-owned stations of the era. He also ran talent shows on Memphis' famous Beale Street that helped showcase the emerging skills of such influential figures as B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, and Roscoe Gordon.
Thomas had his first success as a recording artist in 1953 with "Bear Cat," a funny answer record to Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog." It made number three on the R&B charts, giving Sun Records its first national hit, though some of the sweetness went out of the triumph after Sun owner Sam Phillips lost a lawsuit for plagiarizing the original Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller tune. Thomas, strangely, would make only one other record for Sun, and recorded only sporadically throughout the rest of the 1950s.
Thomas and his daughter Carla would become the first stars for the Stax label, for whom they recorded a duet in 1959, "'Cause I Love You" (when the company was still known as Satellite). In the '60s, Carla would become one of Stax's biggest stars. On his own, Rufus wasn't as successful as his daughter, but issued a steady stream of decent dance/novelty singles.
These were not deep or emotional statements, or meant to be. Vaguely prefiguring elements of funk, the accent was on the stripped-down groove and Rufus' good-time vocals, which didn't take himself or anything seriously. The biggest by far was "Walking the Dog," which made the Top Ten in 1963, and was covered by the Rolling Stones on their first album.
Thomas hit his commercial peak in the early '70s, when "Do the Funky Chicken," "(Do The) Push and Pull," and "The Breakdown" all made the R&B Top Five. As the song titles themselves make clear, funk was now driving his sound rather than blues or soul. Thomas drew upon his vaudeville background to put them over on-stage with fancy footwork that displayed remarkable agility for a man well into his 50s. The collapse of the Stax label in the mid-'70s meant the end of his career, basically, as it did for many other artists with the company. In 2001, Rufus Thomas was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Later that year, on December 15, he died at St. Francis hospital in Memphis, TN.
The above biography taken from: All Music Biography - Rufus Thomas by Richie Unterberger
Push and Pull
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came here to take care of business
Ain't gonna mess around
I got a brand new dance, that ain't no bull
Everybody's doing it talking 'bout push and pull
I said, push, pull, push, pull
Get on up, get on down
Take it round and round
I said, push, pull, push, pull
Little bit more
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Lookie here
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Get out on the floor, you're gonna get left
Get on your own, pretty baby, now go for yourself
It's easier taking candy from a baby, don't hand me no bull
Now you got it, baby you got that push and pull
I said, push, pull
Push, pull
Listen get on up, get on down
Get on up
Take it round and round
I said, push, pull, push, pull
Listen
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Double upon
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Push it, pull it
Ah
Oh, Mister Clean and James Brown
Everybody been messing around
I'm doing a hundred and laying on full
I got this thing talking 'bout push and pull
I said, push, pull
Push, pull, oh, ho
Push and pull, oh, ho
The song "Push and Pull Pt. 1" by Rufus Thomas is a classic example of a dance tune that was popular in the early 1970s. Thomas' lyrics are aimed at encouraging people to get up and dance to his brand new dance that he claims is "not a bull." The song's lyrics revolve around the push and pull dance that involved moving your body back and forth, side to side, and round and round to the beat of the music. Rufus encourages everyone to get on up and get down, emphasizing the importance of letting loose and having a good time on the dance floor.
The song uses a lot of repetition and catchy rhythms that are typical of dance songs from the era. The lyrics are also straightforward and easy to understand, making it easy to sing along with and follow the dance moves. As the song progresses, Rufus becomes more and more assertive in urging people to dance to his song, warning them that they will be left behind if they don't. Overall, the song is a fun and lively tune that is guaranteed to get people moving on the dance floor.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, everybody, Mister Rufus in town
Rufus Thomas is introducing himself and letting everyone know that he has arrived.
Came here to take care of business
Rufus Thomas means business and wants to get things done.
Ain't gonna mess around
Rufus Thomas is serious about what he came here to do and he won't waste any time.
I got a brand new dance, that ain't no bull
Rufus Thomas came up with a new dance and he believes it's the real deal.
Everybody's doing it talking 'bout push and pull
The new dance has caught on and everyone is talking about it.
I said, push, pull, push, pull
Rufus is instructing the dancers on the basic moves of the dance.
Get on up, get on down
The dance involves moving up and down quickly and rhythmically.
Take it round and round
The dance also involves moving in circles or other circular motions.
Little bit more
Rufus encourages the dancers to put in more effort and energy into the dance.
Lookie here
Rufus is getting the attention of the audience or the dancers.
Get out on the floor, you're gonna get left
Rufus is telling people to get on the dance floor because if they don't, they'll miss out on the fun.
Get on your own, pretty baby, now go for yourself
Rufus encourages the dancers to let loose and dance on their own without any inhibitions or restrictions.
It's easier taking candy from a baby, don't hand me no bull
Rufus is saying that the dance is so easy that anyone can do it, and he doesn't want any excuses from those who claim they can't.
Now you got it, baby you got that push and pull
Rufus is congratulating the dancers on learning the steps and the rhythm of the dance.
Listen
Rufus is telling the audience to pay attention to the music and the instructions.
Double upon
Rufus wants the dancers to do the moves twice, for added effect and style.
Oh, Mister Clean and James Brown
Rufus is shouting out two famous names in the music industry, symbolizing his own prowess and celebrity status in the dance world.
Everybody been messing around
Rufus is saying that others may have tried to create a new dance or copy his style, but they didn't succeed.
I'm doing a hundred and laying on full
Rufus is giving his all and going all out in performing the dance at full throttle.
Push and pull, oh, ho
Rufus is closing the song with the catchphrase and the key moves of the dance, inviting the listeners to join in and enjoy themselves.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUFUS THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@notmebutyou8350
It's 2022, and this song is STILL badass!!!
Going straight to my workout playlist!!!
@rickydfcc77
That guitar lick is hypnotic
@Egghe66
Now THAT is a groovy bass line!!!!
@montelking4503
Aye my mom would play the hell out of this song!! Had us jamming all night lmao. Good times!!
@angelafisher299
I love your mother!!!!
@angelafisher299
I love your mother!!!!!
@joylannetter2451
Okay!!💃💃💣
@montelluke8498
Whew ! This is " NASTY" funk sho nuff,MR RUFUS at his peak putting it down, those horns are hittin on all cylinders, along with that guitar line, stupendous track!
@toniprice9972
This MASTERPIECE... Here?!!! Makes me wanna dance all night ...just getting downright RAUNCHY with it!
@johnfulton4061
Whenever I hear this record my booty starts SHAKIN its out of control