Formed in 1985, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started playing in Boston clubs in the mid-1980s. After a brief period of inactivity due to the schooling commitments of its members, they reformed and released their album Devil's Night Out on Taang! Records. The Bosstones toured relentlessly throughout the 1990s, playing hundreds of shows a year, releasing albums and spinning off the popular rock radio hit "Someday I Suppose". They were eventually signed to Mercury Records. The band appeared in the movie Clueless. In 1997, the success of their single "The Impression That I Get" and its follow up, "The Rascal King" earned them mainstream recognition. In 2000 they put out their critically acclaimed disk Pay Attention. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released their last album on Side One Dummy Records. They officially went on hiatus in 2003, citing too much time on the road and desire to branch out and do different things. In 2007, the Bosstones announced that they were reforming. They played their 10th Hometown Throwdown in Boston and released a new album, Medium Rare, which consists of rare B-sides, and 3 new songs, including the single, "Don't Worry Desmond Dekker".
The band announced their split in early 2022.
Haji
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I mean to tell you that this cat was so bad
he was as big as a tiger, mean as a snake
and when haji got angry, the walls would shake
Haji I'm the king of the Genies
Haji and shit Haji I'm the King of the Genies
moved to Florida, Jeanie's town
to start his own business and get down
he wheeled and dealed and did what Haji had to do
Haji I'm the king of the Genies
Haji and shit Haji I said I'm the King of the Genies
well lets go now he kicks full throttle from his bottle ladies wall to wall
The Bosstones partied with my man and man it was a ball
he kept things fired kept us wired betties, Bud and booze
bourbon in his turban and sheeba from his shoes
he busted out in a cloud of smoke he just left like he came
he's King of the Genies and all that shit
but what a stupid name my story is over Haji lives on
and he'll be around long after we're gone
because Genies don't die, and Haji wull rule
Haji is bad be -be -be -bad and cool
Haji I'm the king of the Genies
Haji and shit Haji I said I'm the King of the Genies
The song "Haji" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones seems to be about a mythical figure named Haji who was originally from Baghdad but moved to Florida to start his own business. Haji is described as the "baddest cat" around, as big as a tiger, and mean as a snake. It's said that when Haji got angry, the walls would shake. He apparently has hidden powers that nobody knew about, and he wheeled and dealed to get things done. The song ends with a description of a wild party The Bosstones had with Haji, where he provided all the necessary party favors and eventually left in a cloud of smoke.
It's difficult to say exactly what the message or meaning behind the song is, as the lyrics seem to be more about telling a story than anything else. It's possible that Haji represents a particular type of person or personality, someone who is powerful and seemingly impossible to beat. The lyrics also mention that Haji will "be around long after we're gone," which could be interpreted as a warning about the lasting impact of certain people or groups.
Line by Line Meaning
well he was just about the baddest cat in Bagdad
He was known to be the toughest guy in Bagdad.
I mean to tell you that this cat was so bad
I cannot emphasize enough that he was extremely bad.
he was as big as a tiger, mean as a snake
He was as big as a tiger and extremely mean like a snake.
and when haji got angry, the walls would shake
His anger was so intense that it would shake the walls.
Haji I'm the king of the Genies
He is proud to be the king of the genies and wants everyone to know.
Haji and shit Haji I'm the King of the Genies
He repeats his declaration of being the king of the genies with added emphasis.
moved to Florida, Jeanie's town
He moved to Florida, where Jeanie lived.
to start his own business and get down
He went there to start his own business and have fun.
his powers concealed nobody knew
He kept his genie powers a secret and nobody knew about them.
he wheeled and dealed and did what Haji had to do
He was clever and did whatever he needed to do.
well lets go now he kicks full throttle from his bottle ladies wall to wall
He is partying hard with all the ladies with alcohol from his bottle.
The Bosstones partied with my man and man it was a ball
The Bosstones had a great time partying with him.
he kept things fired kept us wired betties, Bud and booze
He kept the party going with energy, girls, Bud (beer), and booze.
bourbon in his turban and sheeba from his shoes
He had bourbon in his turban and sheeba (drugs) in his shoes.
he busted out in a cloud of smoke he just left like he came
He disappeared in a cloud of smoke just like how he appeared.
he's King of the Genies and all that shit
He is once again declaring his status as the king of the genies.
but what a stupid name my story is over Haji lives on
Despite his ridiculous name, his story continues and he lives on.
and he'll be around long after we're gone
He will continue to exist long after we are dead and gone.
because Genies don't die, and Haji wull rule
Since genies are immortal, Haji will continue to rule.
Haji is bad be-be-be-bad and cool
Haji is extremely tough and cool, b-b-b-bad in a good way.
Haji I'm the king of the Genies
He repeats his title as the king of genies.
Haji and shit Haji I said I'm the King of the Genies
He repeats himself once more, in a more assertive and forceful way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DICKY BARRETT, JOE GITTLEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Skillz Flux
Damn I miss that shit
ILuv2troll
I think between my brother and I, we must have bought this record about three or four times. One of the greatest bosstones records. I keep losing the fuckin' disc though, been lookin for this song for a WHILE thanks.
TheVletHansen
Bosstones up!
PugChump
This band sounded so much better in the 80s-90s than they do now.
Widi Haryadi
ska most wanted compilation album
Bada Bing Crosby
also will smith's girls aint nuthin but trouble
mNqHOgjJsY
You're young aren't you?
Jacob Levy
I'm a 90's child.
Jacob Levy
what the heck is the beginning tune?
paul masaid
Jacob Levy
its the I dream of genie thems song