Willie And The Hand Jive
Taj Mahal feat. Linda Tillery Lyrics
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He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking Lily
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
Mama, mama, look at sister Flo
Doing that hand jive with uncle Joe
When I gave little sister a dime
Said, "Do that hand jive one more time"
Do that crazy hand jive
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
They all dig that Diddley beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Papa told Willie, "You'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive have got to go"
Willie told papa, "Don't you put me down
They're doing that hand jive all around town"
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Willie and Lily got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior but that ain't all
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
When he did that hand jive on MTV
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive
The lyrics of Taj Mahal feat. Linda Tillery's "Willie and the Hand Jive" portray the groovy culture of the 60s and 70s rock and roll scene. The song opens with the introduction of a cat named Way-out Willie, who has got a groovy chick named Rocking Lily. The song then introduces characters like rolling Suzie Q, sister Flo, and uncle Joe, who are all doing the crazy hand jive. The lyrics then highlight the popularity of this hand jive, with a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian chief all digging the beat.
The song continues with Willie's father warning Willie that his hand jive will ruin their home, but Willie refusing to stop. The song ends on a high note, with Willie Jr. in his crib, getting famous for doing the hand jive on MTV. Overall, the lyrics of "Willie and the Hand Jive" reflect the upbeat, carefree spirit of rock and roll, promoting the idea of letting loose and having fun.
Line by Line Meaning
I know his cat named Way-out Willie
I am familiar with a man named Willie who is quite unique and unconventional
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking Lily
Willie has a cool and attractive girlfriend named Lily who enjoys music and dancing
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
There is a girl named Suzie Q who loves to dance and listen to rock and roll music
Do that crazy old hand jive, too
She also enjoys doing the hand jive dance, which involves intricate hand movements and is considered crazy by some
Mama, mama, look at sister Flo
A person named Flo is doing the hand jive dance and their mother is observing her
Doing that hand jive with uncle Joe
Flo is dancing with her uncle Joe, who also enjoys the hand jive dance
When I gave little sister a dime
When I gave my younger sibling a ten-cent coin
Said, "Do that hand jive one more time"
I requested that they perform the hand jive dance again
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase 'hand jive' multiple times
Do that crazy hand jive
The chorus instructs the listener to perform the hand jive dance
A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
People from different professions, including a medical professional, a legal professional, and a Native American leader
They all dig that Diddley beat
They all enjoy the unique rhythm of the song, which is influenced by Bo Diddley's style of music
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
Willie impressed them by performing the hand jive dance in his own unique way
When he did that hand jive with his feet
Willie performed the hand jive dance using his feet instead of just his hands, which was impressive
Papa told Willie, "You'll ruin my home
Willie's father expressed concern that his son's love of music and dancing would have a negative impact on their family life
You and that hand jive have got to go"
His father specifically criticized Willie's love of the hand jive dance
Willie told papa, "Don't you put me down
Willie stood up for himself and told his father not to criticize him
They're doing that hand jive all around town"
Willie pointed out that he was not the only person in town who enjoyed the hand jive dance
Willie and Lily got married last fall
Willie and Lily got married recently, in the autumn season
They had a little Willie Junior but that ain't all
In addition to getting married, they also had a baby boy named Willie Junior
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
The baby became famous for doing the hand jive dance while still in his crib
When he did that hand jive on MTV
The baby's performance of the hand jive dance was broadcast on the music television channel MTV
Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase 'hand jive' multiple times
Do that crazy hand jive
The chorus instructs the listener to perform the hand jive dance
Writer(s): JOHNNY OTIS
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.