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
Easy Livin' Plan
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't leave me baby, please don't go
I swear I love you baby more than I did before
You left me drunk standing in the back door crying
You left me drunk standing in the back door crying
If you don't come back I'm afraid I'll lose my mind
Everybody makes mistakes baby and I've paid for mine
Everybody makes mistakes baby and I've paid for mine
Please come back baby try me one more time
That teacher, that preacher, that gambling man
They're all trying to make it on the easy plan
The lawyer, the doctor, even down to baker
They're all trying to keep up with the undertaker
Chauffeur run around with the sonographer girl
Drummer in the band beating their way through the world
The preachers jump straight up and down
-in the corner proud Alabama bound
Don't leave me baby, please don't go
Don't leave me baby, please don't go
I swear I love you baby more than I did before
That teacher, that preacher, that gambling man
They're all trying to make it on the easy plan
The lawyer, the doctor, even down to baker
They're all trying to keep up with the undertaker
Chauffeur run around with the sonographer girl
Drummer in the band beating their way through the world
The preachers jump straight up and down
-in the corner proud Alabama bound
Don't leave me baby, please don't go
I swear I love you baby more than I did before
The lyrics of Rufus Thomas's song "Easy Livin' Plan" convey a heartfelt plea from the singer to his lover, who has left him in a state of distress. The repetition of the lines "Don't leave me baby, please don't go" underscores the desperation and emotional turmoil he is experiencing. He professes his love, stating, "I swear I love you baby more than I did before," emphasizing the depth of his feelings and the impact of her departure on him.
The imagery of being left drunk and crying at the back door suggests a scene of vulnerability and heartbreak. The singer expresses his fear of losing his mind if his lover does not return, highlighting the intense emotional toll of their separation. He acknowledges his mistakes and the consequences he has faced, urging his partner to give him another chance by pleading, "Please come back baby try me one more time."
The song also delves into a broader commentary on society, comparing different professions and individuals who are all striving to navigate life's challenges. The teacher, preacher, gambling man, lawyer, doctor, baker, chauffeur, drummer, and others mentioned in the lyrics represent various walks of life, all grappling with their own struggles and aspirations. The reference to the undertaker symbolizes the inevitability of death and the pressure to keep up with the demands of life.
The repetition of the verses and the refrain throughout the song reinforces the singer's emotional plea and yearning for his lover's return. The juxtaposition of personal longing and societal observations creates a poignant contrast, reflecting the complexity of human relationships and the universal quest for love and connection. Overall, the lyrics of "Easy Livin' Plan" encapsulate themes of love, loss, redemption, and the enduring hope for reconciliation in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't leave me baby, please don't go
I am begging you not to leave me, please stay
I swear I love you baby more than I did before
I promise you that my love for you has only grown stronger
You left me drunk standing in the back door crying
You abandoned me while I was intoxicated, leaving me in tears by the back door
If you don't come back I'm afraid I'll lose my mind
I fear that I will go insane if you do not return to me
Everybody makes mistakes baby and I've paid for mine
We all make mistakes and I have suffered the consequences of mine
Please come back baby try me one more time
I am asking you to give me another chance, please come back to me
That teacher, that preacher, that gambling man
Various people, including teachers, preachers, and gamblers
They're all trying to make it on the easy plan
They are all attempting to find success through an effortless method
The lawyer, the doctor, even down to baker
From lawyers to doctors, even bakers are striving
They're all trying to keep up with the undertaker
They are all trying to match the pace of the undertaker, who deals with death
Chauffeur run around with the sonographer girl
There is a chauffeur chasing after a sonographer
Drummer in the band beating their way through the world
A drummer in a band is making their mark on the world
The preachers jump straight up and down
The preachers are leaping up and down energetically
-in the corner proud Alabama bound
In a corner, proudly representing Alabama
Lyrics © JOSEPH BIHARI LIVING TRUST DBA MODERN MUSIC PUB COMPANY
Written by: JOSEA, JOE, THOMAS, RUFUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stratocat9999
I used to have this on a 78, and i haven't heard it in about 35 years! Thanks for sharing!
@bellgardens53
Rufus is great