Tiger Rag
The Louis Armstrong All-Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger ! Hold that tiger!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where oh where can he be?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
The Louis Armstrong All-Stars's song "Tiger Rag" speaks to the energy and excitement of the jazz age. The repeated phrase "Where's that tiger" represents a call to action, a desire for something thrilling and exciting. The repetition of the phrase, along with the commands to "hold that tiger" and physically engage with it through actions like choking, poking, and kicking, creates a sense of frenzy and anticipation.
The final lines of the song, "Low or highbrow, they all cry now / 'Please play that Tiger Rag for me'" speak to the universal appeal of music, and how it is capable of bringing people together across cultural and social boundaries. The desire to hear the Tiger Rag, which is a fast-paced instrumental piece, suggests that people of all backgrounds were drawn to the energy and excitement of jazz music, and that it had the power to unite people in a shared experience of joy and celebration.
Overall, "Tiger Rag" is a song that captures the spirit of jazz and the roaring twenties, and reflects the excitement and energy of a time when anything seemed possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Where's that tiger! Where's that tiger!
Where is the excitement? Where is the thrill?
Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger! Hold that tiger!
Keep the excitement going! Don't let it die down!
Choke him, poke him, kick him and soak him!
Use any means necessary to keep the excitement alive!
Where's that tiger? Where's that tiger?
Where is that feeling of exhilaration?
Where oh where can he be?
Where has that rush gone to?
Low or highbrow, they all cry now
Regardless of social status, everyone yearns for that same feeling.
"Please play that Tiger Rag for me"
Bring back that excitement by playing the song that ignites it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Antonio Sbarro, Edwin Edwards, Henry Ragas, Larry Shields, Sidney Bechet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zack Briggs
Wow don't you just love that distinctive, raspy sound that comes from Edmund Hall's clarinet?
Martin Collins
Yes I do very much, and think this the best version of Tiger Rag I know, though I could get over being proven wrong on that. There are tons of versions on You tube to make finding this one again pretty hard. I used to have the original vinyl disc moons ago.
joeb joeberian
These guys prove on acoustic instruments that you don't need electricity to be smokin'!
Duccio Castelli
I was there and I was a boy, took pictures and autograph from Louis and Trummy. ❤️
Jason Nadle
It was played months after Dixieland Droopy was released and Scott Bradley did a special recording with Droopy as "bandleader."
Cja Weijmer
Zeer goed
S Al
brillante Louis, y Danyy Barcelona, GRAN BATERISTA.
Duccio Castelli
Was NOT Danny Bavelina.😁
Ernesto Falzone
Drummer is Barrett Deems
forzamancini
Great drumming by Barrett Deems. The band never sounded as good after BD was replaced by Danny Barcelona.