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
I'm Off That Stuff
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No more women, I ain't lying
No more honky tonking around this town
I met a gal, the other night
-
She took my money, whiskey too
So I'm off that stuff
Like good whiskey, like it hot
Like my women, like them lot
But they make a fool of you
So I'm off that stuff
Going to buy a radio
Stay at home no place to go
By myself
Cos I'm of that stuff
Listen here oh you here cat
Listen to my tale
Stay away from the honky tonk
Never get in jail
No more whiskey, no more wine
No more messing around with wives
No more -
Man I'm off that stuff
Man I'm off that stuff
Man I'm off that stuff
Man I'm off that stuff
In Rufus Thomas's song "I'm Off That Stuff," the lyrics capture the singer's determination to make a change in his lifestyle. The first verse sets the tone by listing the things he is leaving behind: whiskey, wine, and women. Although the phrase "no more honky tonking around this town" might seem lighthearted, it actually implies a commitment to stay away from the nightlife and temptations that come with it.
The second verse introduces a specific incident where the singer met a woman who not only took his money but also consumed his whiskey. This experience serves as a turning point for him, leading him to declare that he is "off that stuff." The use of repetition in the chorus emphasizes this shift in his mindset and lifestyle.
The third verse delves into the singer's preferences, highlighting his fondness for good whiskey and attractive women. However, he acknowledges that these pleasures can also lead to foolishness and being taken advantage of, reinforcing his decision to distance himself from them. Here, the repetition in the chorus takes on a slightly different tone, conveying a sense of determination and conviction.
In the final verse, the singer expresses his desire for a more tranquil life by mentioning his intention to purchase a radio and stay at home. This contrasts with his previous lifestyle of going out and indulging in vices. The line "By myself, 'cause I'm off that stuff" suggests that he is content with his own company and no longer seeks external distractions or companionship.
The song concludes with the singer offering advice to his listeners, warning them about the pitfalls of the honky tonk lifestyle and urging them to stay away from trouble and avoid ending up in jail. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song serves as a reminder and reinforcement of his newfound resolve.
Overall, "I'm Off That Stuff" explores themes of personal growth, self-control, and the desire for a more stable and responsible life. Rufus Thomas's lyrics convey a sense of self-awareness and determination as the singer reflects on his past actions and makes a conscious decision to break free from destructive habits.
Line by Line Meaning
No more whiskey, no more wine
I have decided to completely stop drinking both whiskey and wine.
No more women, I ain't lying
I am not lying when I say that I will no longer be involved with women.
No more honky tonking around this town
I have made the decision to no longer engage in the wild partying and nightlife of this town.
I met a gal, the other night
Recently, I encountered a woman on a particular night.
She took my money, whiskey too
She not only took my money but also consumed my whiskey.
So I'm off that stuff
As a result, I have made the choice to completely refrain from indulging in that kind of lifestyle.
Like good whiskey, like it hot
I have a preference for high-quality whiskey and prefer it to be served hot.
Like my women, like them lot
Similarly, I have a preference for having multiple women in my life.
But they make a fool of you
However, being involved with multiple women can lead to one being deceived or made a fool of.
So I'm off that stuff
Therefore, I have decided to put an end to that particular behavior.
Going to buy a radio
I have plans to purchase a radio.
Stay at home no place to go
With no desire to go out, I will be staying at home.
By myself
I will be alone during this period.
Cos I'm off that stuff
This is because I have distanced myself from that way of life.
Listen here oh you here cat
Pay attention, my friend.
Listen to my tale
Please lend an ear to my story.
Stay away from the honky tonk
It's best to avoid the boisterous bars and clubs.
Never get in jail
By doing so, you will prevent yourself from ending up in jail.
No more messing around with wives
I have made the decision to no longer engage in extramarital affairs.
No more -
There are no more activities or behaviors of that nature.
Man I'm off that stuff
I want to emphasize that I have truly distanced myself from that way of life.
Man I'm off that stuff
I want to reiterate that I have truly distanced myself from that way of life.
Man I'm off that stuff
I want to emphasize again that I have truly distanced myself from that way of life.
Man I'm off that stuff
I want to reiterate once more that I have truly distanced myself from that way of life.
Lyrics © MADISON LEISURE CORP.
Written by: THOMAS, RUFUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind