Flat Floot Floogie
The Mills Brothers Lyrics


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Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer
Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer
Lead us lest too far we wander
Love's sweet voice is callin' yonder
Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer
Hey there, don't get dimmer, dimmer
Light the path below, above
And lead us on to love

Glow, little glow-worm, fly of fire
Glow like an incandescent wire
Glow for the female of the species
Turn on the AC and the DC
This night could use a little brightenin'
Light up you little old bug of lightenin'
When you gotta glow, you gotta glow
Glow, little glow-worm, glow

Glow, little glow-worm, glow and glimmer
Swim through the sea of night, little swimmer
Thou aeronautical boll weevil
Illuminate yon woods primeval
See how the shadows deep and darken
You and your chick should get to sparkin'
I got a gal that I love so
Glow, little glow-worm, glow

Glow, little glow-worm; turn the key on
You are equipped with taillight neon
You got a cute vest-pocket (?)
Which you can make both slow and faster
I don't know who you took the shine to
Or who you're out to make a sign to
I got a gal that I love so
Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Glow, little glow-worm, glow




Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Glow, little glow-worm, glow

Overall Meaning

"Flat Floot Floogie" is a joyful and uplifting song that celebrates the power of love and the importance of following its call. The lyrics use the metaphor of a glow-worm to represent the elusive nature of love, and how it can guide us through the darkness of life.


The opening lines of the song are an invocation to the glow-worm to shine its light and lead us to love. The glow-worm is seen as a powerful force that can guide us when we feel lost or confused. The second verse continues this idea, describing the glow-worm as a "fly of fire" that can illuminate the darkness and make everything brighter. The lyrics are playful and lighthearted, conveying a sense of joy and optimism that is infectious.


As the song progresses, the lyrics become more humorous and irreverent. The third verse, for example, describes the glow-worm as an "aeronautical boll weevil" that can light up the woods and spark romance. The final verse introduces the idea of the glow-worm as a technological marvel, with its "taillight neon" and "cute vest-pocket." The song ends with a final call for the glow-worm to shine its light and guide us to love.


In summary, "Flat Floot Floogie" is a playful and joyous celebration of love, using the metaphor of a glow-worm to convey its power and importance in our lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer
Hey little firefly, shine and flicker


Lead us lest too far we wander
Guide us so we don't lose our way


Love's sweet voice is callin' yonder
Love is calling us from afar


Hey there, don't get dimmer, dimmer
Don't fade away, little firefly


Light the path below, above
Illuminate the way up and down


And lead us on to love
Guide us towards love's embrace


Glow, little glow-worm, fly of fire
Shine bright, little firefly


Glow like an incandescent wire
Glow like a burning filament


Glow for the female of the species
Shine for the ladies


Turn on the AC and the DC
Switch on both alternating and direct currents


This night could use a little brightenin'
The night needs a little illumination


Light up you little old bug of lightenin'
Illuminate, little firefly


When you gotta glow, you gotta glow
When it's time to shine, you gotta shine


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly


Swim through the sea of night, little swimmer
Fly through the dark sky, little firefly


Thou aeronautical boll weevil
You're like an airplane


Illuminate yon woods primeval
Light up those ancient woods over there


See how the shadows deep and darken
Notice how the darkness grows


You and your chick should get to sparkin'
You and your sweetheart should start flirting


I got a gal that I love so
I have a lovely lady I adore


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly


Glow, little glow-worm; turn the key on
Shine, little firefly; turn your light on


You are equipped with taillight neon
You have a bright neon glow


You got a cute vest-pocket (?)
You have a charming little pocket


Which you can make both slow and faster
You can vary your light's intensity


I don't know who you took the shine to
I don't know who caught your eye


Or who you're out to make a sign to
Or who you're trying to impress


I got a gal that I love so
I have a lovely lady I adore


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly


Glow, little glow-worm, glow
Shine bright, little firefly




Lyrics © REGENT MUSIC CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: SEIPEL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@lanceash

YES! I had a cassette like that. I'm trying to put together a list of all the songs on that cassette, but I can only remember about seven. Do you remember what was on it?
aint misbehavin'
tin roof blues
i's a muggin'
that's a plenty
flat foot floogie
do you know what it means (to miss new orleans)
jeepers creepers
struttin with some barbecue (?)



@sussylh4124

Louis Armstrong And The Mills Brothers:Flat Foot Floogie

This song is by Louis Armstrong and The Mills Brothers and appears on the album Louis Armstrong and the Mills Brothers (1954).

This song is a cover of "The Flat Foot Floogie" by Slim Gaillard.


(The flat foot floogie with a floy, floy
Flat foot floogie with a floy, floy
Flat foot floogie with a floy, floy
Floy floy, floy floy, floy floy, floy floy)

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Whenever your cares are chronic
Just tell the world, "go hang"
You'll find a greater tonic
If you go on swingin' with the gang

Flat foot floogie with a floy, floy
Flat foot floogie with a floy, floy
Floy, floy, floy, yeah
Send me on out there

Whenever your cares are chronic
Just tell the world, "go hang"
You'll find a greater tonic
If you go on stumblin' with the gang
Hey, hey, hey, yes, yes



All comments from YouTube:

@marthalillard3193

I can still see my mom singing this and dancing around the house as she cooked and cleaned !

@d.b.4201

Amen!! Love it!! 👍

@Chungustav

Odd since it about a prostitute with a drippy venereal disease

@amyowens7050

My mom took.

@dabear2438

My Uncle used to sing this to me when I was a little child. He was born in 1929 so 1938 was right in his era. I sure miss him. Rest in peace, Uncle.

@carolsikkema7136

Both my mom and dad would sing this. They were married in 1938. I used to wonder where these lyrics came from! Good to know.

@edwardtrolz

This makes me remember the time when we only had a radio,

@lili1916

Happy meeting between the great Mills Brothers and 'Satchmo' in this! Thanks for sharing!

@christansdad

Had a cassette tape of 20 of Louis' greatest hits as a young teen. This song...and Indiana were my two favorites.

@lanceash

YES! I had a cassette like that. I'm trying to put together a list of all the songs on that cassette, but I can only remember about seven. Do you remember what was on it?
aint misbehavin'
tin roof blues
i's a muggin'
that's a plenty
flat foot floogie
do you know what it means (to miss new orleans)
jeepers creepers
struttin with some barbecue (?)

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