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
Crazy About You Baby
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
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Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby and I don't like the way you do
Oh yes I'm crazy about you baby
Wild about you baby
I'm nuts about you baby
Crazy about you baby and I don't like the way you do
Well I bring my money home cos I know it's right
You take advantage of me baby cos I'm working all night
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby and I don't like the way you do
I came home this morning you weren't out of bed
You say you've been suffering from an aching head
I know you're lying baby
I know you're lying baby
Found out you were lying and I don't like the way you do
Oh yes I'm crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Oh yes I'm crazy
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby
Crazy about you baby and I don't like the way you do
The lyrics of Rufus Thomas's song "Crazy About You Baby" depict a tumultuous and passionate relationship between the singer and a significant other. The repetition of the phrase "crazy about you baby" emphasizes the intense feelings the singer has for their partner, using words like "wild," "real gone," and "nuts" to describe the depth of their emotions. However, the repeated refrain of "and I don't like the way you do" hints at underlying issues and frustrations within the relationship.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is devoted and committed to their partner, as they mention bringing money home because they believe it is the right thing to do. However, there is a sense of imbalance in the relationship, with the partner taking advantage of the singer's hard work and possibly not reciprocating in the same way. This imbalance leads the singer to express dissatisfaction with the way their partner behaves, despite their strong feelings of love and infatuation.
The narrative takes a turn when the singer comes home one morning to find their partner still in bed, claiming to be suffering from an aching head. The singer sees through the partner's lie, expressing disappointment and a sense of betrayal. This revelation of dishonesty adds another layer of complexity to the relationship, highlighting issues of trust and communication that may be contributing to the singer's frustration and discord.
The lyrics conclude with a reiteration of the singer's intense feelings of craziness and devotion towards their partner, yet the final refrain emphasizes the recurring theme of dissatisfaction with the partner's actions. The conflicting emotions of love and disappointment portrayed in the song capture the complexity of relationships, where passion and frustration can coexist. Overall, "Crazy About You Baby" paints a vivid picture of a relationship filled with intense emotions, conflicting dynamics, and a struggle for understanding and connection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Rufus Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind