Steve Miller (born 5 October 1943) is a blues and rock and roll guitarist and performer. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin but attended high school in Dallas. While at St. Mark's School of Texas, he formed his first band, The Marksmen. Miller taught one of his classmates, Royce Boz Scaggs, a few guitar chords so that he could join the band; Scaggs became better known by his nickname, Boz. Miller attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1960s, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year. Ben Sidran was added to the Ardells as a keyboardist the following year.
In 1968, Miller formed the Steve Miller Band, with Scaggs handling vocals, and released an album, Children of the Future, the first in a series of discs rooted solidly in the psychedelic blues style that dominated the San Francisco music scene at the time. Scaggs would leave the band after a couple of albums with vocal chores taken over by drummer Tim Davis; Miller himself would begin singing occasional lead on 1969's Brave New World. These albums performed respectably on the album charts but failed to yield a hit.
In the 1970's the band had some hits that became classics over the years - Jet Airliner, with some evocative lyrics that brought home the loss of life on the road; and The Joker which includes the famous line about the "pompatus of love", which is of course nonsense, but that didn't stop a lot of stoned folks from spending years talking amongst themselves.
Steve Miller's father was a wealthy doctor in Dallas, and friends with famous guitarist and guitar designer Les Paul. Les Paul gave Miller his first guitar lessons.
Longtime member Norton Buffalo (harmonica player) died from lung cancer on October 30, 2009.
John King (drummer during "The Joker" era) died after a short bout of kidney cancer on October 26, 2010.
Band-member James Cooke died from cancer on 16 May 2011.
Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma
Steve Miller Band Lyrics
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Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Yeeaahh
Come on baby
Let's slip away
Want to leave right away
Don't make sense
If it ain't the real thing
'Cause nothing but the real thing
Makes my heart sing
Yeeaahh
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Yeeaahh
Come on baby
Now don't be too slow
You know I'm in a hurry
I really do want to go
First you're up
And then you're down
Crazy living
In this old town
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Yeeaahh
Come on baby
Let's slip away
You know I'm in a hurry
Want to leave right away
Don't make sense
If it ain't the real thing
'Cause nothing but the real thing
Makes my heart sing
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Yeeaahh
The Steve Miller Band's "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" is an upbeat song that talks about a man who wants to spend time with his significant other. The song begins with the repetitive phrase, "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma," which sets the tone for the whole song. The chorus talks about the urgency this man feels to leave with his partner and how nothing but the true, genuine experience will make his heart sing. The verse urges the partner to move quickly and not to delay since he has to leave right away.
The song is graphically illustrative of a man who wants to whisk his lover away from the mundane, monotonous life they lead in their town. He wants to pursue a new and exciting life with her, and this song symbolizes his desire. The song's repetitive phrase "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" stresses the urgency that the man feels to leave his town and start a new life with his lover cause he believes it's the genuine reason that will make his heart happy.
Overall, "Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma" is a fun, upbeat song that paints a vivid picture of a man who wants to leave everything behind and start a new life with his lover. It's a classic Steve Miller Band song that combines great musicianship with a compelling story, all wrapped up in an infectious tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
The rhythm and sound of the song that create a feeling and atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
Filling in the spaces between lyrics with a repetitive phrase that emphasizes the beat and energy of the music.
Shu ba da du ma ma ma ma
The repetition of the phrase that adds a layer of complexity to the song without changing its meaning.
Shu ba da du ma ma ma
The unique and memorable catchphrase that serves as a hook and keeps the listener engaged throughout the song.
Yeeaahh
An exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm for the music and the message it conveys.
Come on baby
An invitation to someone special to join in the fun and excitement of the moment.
Let's slip away
A suggestion to escape from the pressures and stresses of everyday life and enjoy a moment of freedom and joy.
You know I'm in a hurry
An acknowledgement of the urgency and intensity of the moment and the desire to make the most of it.
Want to leave right away
An expression of readiness and eagerness to seize the opportunity and experience the moment to the fullest.
Don't make sense
An observation that many things in life lack true meaning or purpose without a deeper connection and sense of authenticity.
If it ain't the real thing
An assertion that true fulfillment and satisfaction come only from genuine experiences and relationships.
'Cause nothing but the real thing
An emphasis on the importance of being true to oneself and seeking out authenticity in all aspects of life.
Makes my heart sing
A declaration that the joy and happiness of life come from meaningful experiences and connections that resonate with the heart and soul.
Now don't be too slow
An encouragement to the listener to act boldly and decisively, embracing the moment and making the most of it.
First you're up
An acknowledgement of the unpredictable and fast-paced nature of life that requires agility and adaptability.
And then you're down
An observation that life often brings ups and downs and that resilience and determination are essential to weathering the challenges.
Crazy living
A recognition that the fast pace and demanding nature of modern life can be overwhelming and challenging.
In this old town
A nod to the universal nature of human experience and the ubiquitous challenges of life no matter where one lives.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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