Long came to Motown in 1963 from the Tri-Phi/Harvey label, owned by Berry Gordy, Jr.'s sister, Gwen, and her husband, Harvey Fuqua. His first release, 1964's "Devil With The Blue Dress" was the first recording issued on Motown's Soul label, a subsidiary designed for more blues-based artists such as Long. While this song never charted nationally, the song was later covered and made a hit by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. His 1966 single "Function At The Junction" was his first popular hit, reaching #42 on the national R&B charts. Other single releases included "It's A Crying Shame" (1964), "Chantilly Lace" (1967), and "Night Fo' Last" (1968).
Long's biggest hit was "Here Comes The Judge" in 1968, which reached number-four on the R&B charts and number-eight on the pop charts. The song was inspired by a comic act, from "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in", about a judge by Pigmeat Markham, whose own "Here Comes The Judge" (a totally different song) charted two weeks after Long's did in June 1968, and became a Top 20 hit. Long's 1969 singles included "I Had A Dream" and "A Whiter Shade Of Pale". He released one album during his lifetime, 1968's Here Comes the Judge.
Long played many instruments, including piano, organ, drums, harmonica, and trumpet. He acted as an MC for many of the Motortown Revue shows and tours, and co-wrote several of his tunes ("Devil With The Blue Dress," "Function At The Junction," and "Here Comes The Judge."). Long was the only Motown artist besides Smokey Robinson who was allowed to produce his own recordings in the 1960s. Marvin Gaye, in David Ritz's biography Divided Soul: The Life & Times of Marvin Gaye,, described Shorty Long as "this beautiful cat who had two hits, and then got ignored by Motown." Gaye claimed he "fought for guys like Shorty" while at Motown, since no one ever pushed for these artists. When Holland-Dozier-Holland came to Gaye with a tune, he stated, "Why are you going to produce me? Why don't you produce Shorty Long?"
Shorty Long died on June 29, 1969 in a boating accident on the Detroit River in Michigan. Stevie Wonder played the harmonica at his burial, and placed it on his casket afterwards. Motown issued Long's final album, The Prime of Shorty Long, shortly after his passing.
2) Shorty Long is an east-coast rapper. Bronx, N.Y. native originally known as 'Shorty Longstroke,' Shorty was discovered by Lord Finesse in the early 1990s and given his first taste of wax in 1994 with the single "Shorty's Doin'" which Finesse produced. Shorty soon fell out of favor with Finesse, and although he managed to release a few more independently-produced tracks, the call of obscurity soon beckoned.
Here Comes The Judge
Shorty Long Lyrics
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The court's in session
The court's in session, now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Stop eatin' that fudge
Cause here comes the judge
Don't nobody buzz
Cause here comes the judge
Judge Shorty is presidin' today
And he don't take no stuff from nobody
No kind of way
Hey boy, take off that hat
Where do you think you're at
I know where you gon' be
If you don't heed my plea
I'm here to tell you
Court's in session
Order in the court now
Court's in session
Can't nobody smoke now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here come the judge,
Here comes the judge
y'all here comes the judge
Order, order
What's the first case on the docket
Judge I got a boy here who can't dance
Can't dance? Ah
Ninety days, thirty days for boogaloo
Thirty days to learn how to shing-a-ling
And thirty more for the Afro twist
Can't dance, what is this
Court's in session everybody quiet now
Court's in session, here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Is that the man?
No, your honor
Does he look like the man?
No, your Honor
Well, I'm sorry you got to go now
Ah ha you can't recognize the man
You got to stand guilty
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Ah yes, here comes the judge
They caught him stompin' down the aisle
Yes here comes the judge
I'd rather be lost in the jungle of Brazil
Than to face the judge
This morning the way he feels
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge boy
"Here Comes the Judge" is a catchy soul song recorded by Shorty Long in 1968. The lyrics describe a courtroom scene with Judge Shorty presiding over it. In the first verse, the choir proclaims that court is in session, and Judge Shorty is about to arrive. The repetition of "Here comes the judge" implies his authority as the leader in court. The song's chorus, "Stop eatin' that fudge, 'cause here comes the judge," urges those present to pay attention to court proceedings and behave accordingly. The line “I know where you gon' be If you don't heed my plea” is a warning address to court attendees to adhere to regulations in court.
In verse two, Judge Shorty takes control and orders a boy to take off his hat. The judge intends to maintain his respect and control over the courtroom. His rulings are strict when he sentences a boy who cannot dance to ninety days in jail if he does not improve his dance skills. In the last verse, the roles are reversed as the choir warns others not to face Judge Shorty's wrath.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear ye, hear ye
Attention everyone
The court's in session
The court proceedings have begun
The court's in session, now
The court proceedings have started
Here comes the judge
The judge is about to enter the courtroom
Stop eatin' that fudge
Pay attention and behave yourself
Cause here comes the judge
The judge has arrived and will not tolerate misbehavior
Don't nobody buzz
Don't make any noise or disturb the court proceedings
Judge Shorty is presidin' today
Shorty Long is the judge leading today's court session
And he don't take no stuff from nobody
The judge will not tolerate any bad behavior or lawbreaking
No kind of way
Under no circumstances
Hey boy, take off that hat
Remove your hat as a sign of respect in the courtroom
Where do you think you're at
This is a courtroom and you should show respect
I know where you gon' be
You will be in trouble if you don't follow the rules
If you don't heed my plea
If you don't listen to my warning
I'm here to tell you
Let me make it clear
Court's in session
The court proceedings have started
Order in the court now
Everyone must be quiet and behave properly
Can't nobody smoke now
Smoking is not allowed during the court proceedings
Here comes the judge
The judge is entering the courtroom
Order, order
Quiet and order must be maintained
What's the first case on the docket
What is the first matter to be addressed in court
Judge I got a boy here who can't dance
Someone is being brought before the court for not being able to dance
Can't dance? Ah
Not being able to dance is not a valid excuse
Ninety days, thirty days for boogaloo
The defendant will be sentenced to 90 days in jail and specifically 30 days for not being able to do the boogaloo dance
Thirty days to learn how to shing-a-ling
The defendant will also be required to spend 30 days learning how to dance the shing-a-ling
And thirty more for the Afro twist
An additional 30 days will be added for not being able to do the Afro twist dance
Can't dance, what is this
Not being able to dance is not a valid excuse and will be punished
Court's in session everybody quiet now
Everyone must be quiet and follow courtroom rules
Is that the man?
Is this the defendant?
No, your honor
No, it is not
Does he look like the man?
Does the defendant resemble this other man?
Well, I'm sorry you got to go now
You are mistaken and must leave the courtroom now
Ah ha you can't recognize the man
You are mistaken and made a faulty identification
You got to stand guilty
Someone must take responsibility for the crime or offense
They caught him stompin' down the aisle
The defendant was caught misbehaving in the court
Yes here comes the judge
The judge is approaching to take action
I'd rather be lost in the jungle of Brazil
I would rather endure a difficult situation than face punishment from the judge
Than to face the judge
Being punished by the judge is not preferable
This morning the way he feels
The judge is in a stern and unforgiving mood today
Here comes the judge boy
The judge has arrived and will be making decisions in court
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BILLIE JEAN BROWN, FREDERICK EARL LONG, SUZANNE DEPASSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ericburow6436
Hear ye, hear ye
The court's in session
The court's in session, now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge, y'all
Here comes the judge
Stop eatin' that fudge
'Cause here comes the judge
Don't nobody budge
'Cause here comes the judge
Judge Shorty is presidin' today
And he don't take no stuff from nobody
No kind of way
Hey boy, take off that hat
Where do you think you're at?
I know where you gon' be
If you don't heed my plea
I'm here to tell you
Court's in session
Order in the court now
Court's in session
Can't nobody smoke now
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge, y'all
Here comes the judge
Order, order
What's the first case on the docket?
Judge I got a boy here who can't dance
Can't dance? Aww (can't dance your Honor)
90 days, 30 days for boogaloo
30 days to learn how to shing-a-ling
And 30 more for the Afro twist
Can't dance, what is this?
Court's in session, everybody quiet now
Court's in session, here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Is that the man?
No, your Honor
Does he look like the man?
No, your Honor
Well, I'm sorry you got to go now
Ah ha you can't recognize the man
No, your Honor
You got to stand guilty
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge, y'all
Here comes the judge
Ah yes, here comes the judge
They caught him stompin' down the aisle
Yes, here comes the judge
I'd rather be lost in the jungles of Brazil
Than to face the judge
This morning the way he feels
Here comes the judge
Here comes the judge now
Don't nobody budge
'Cause here comes the judge
Everybody doin' their time today
@jamespotter5889
Shorty Long used to work at the Escape Lounge doing the gigs corner of Joy Road and Greenfield. Marvin Gaye was his friend and that's where Marvin started singing for $15 a night. My mother was the bartender Nina. Diana Ross in the original Supremes used to come in and visit shorty. My name's Chris McTaggart I live in Allen Park Michigan. God bless you shorty, we miss you dearly.
@Mike12522
James Potter- what great memories u have.
@Turbomgzt
Better than loving Northern Soul, or seeing my mate Pete Callard playing lead guitar, is watching the dancing. Happy days ❤
@k.8935
Man! I was 6 years old when i heard this. My brother had all these jams(motown)😘🥰❤️❤️
@matizaph
This was one hot hit in 68. This version by Shorty Long and the other version by Pigmeat Markham. In my part of the hood Brownsville Brooklyn NY this song was slamming.
@Mannock
I love Pigmeat Markham.
"You're guilty of loitering. That'll be thirty days or thirty dollars. What will it be?
(Hand extended) "I'll take the thirty dollars."
@rollerchickable
I Love this Song Thank you For Sharing, R I P Shorty Long. You Are Gone But Never Forgotten.
@hilmarwensorra1215
In VERY loving memory of Frederick Earl Long (1940 - 1969 R.I.P. // Gone but NOT forgotten)
@deborahterrell8010
Cheeter Club days in the Village of New York City in OG times. Dancing til the place closed. And the Dome Club in the Village. ShortyLong music was in the house. Real safe partying. No worries of where the exit is or who has a weapon. There was love and fun. Good times and good music.
@gregrivera208
I still remember when this jam came out, and who can 4get the 68 Orange G.T.O.✊