Call The Police
Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles b… Read Full Bio ↴Before his international acclaim as a pop vocalist, Nathaniel Adams Coles built an indelible reputation as a jazz pianist in the groundbreaking combo, The King Cole Trio. Born into a musical family, young Nat Coles (later changed to Cole) recorded with his older brother, Edward, in 1936 for the Decca label. The four sides cut by Eddie Cole's Solid Swingers gave the general public its first glimpse of Nat's gentle yet lively piano riffs. After touring with a revival show of Eubie Blake's revue Shuffle Along, Cole settled in Los Angeles, playing various nightclubs as a soloist. In 1937, club owner Bob Lewis suggested that Cole assemble a small band to work at his Swanee Inn on North La Brea. The group's unorthodox instrumentation and size - they had no drummer and, at the time, big bands were the rage - featured Wesley Prince on bass and the innovative phrasings of electric guitarist Oscar Moore. The Trio's blend of jump blues and jazzy instrumentals with bouncy vocal stylings was a collective effort, while Cole occasionally took the lead on standard ballads. After an uneventful 1939 session for the Davis & Schwegler recording company in Hollywood, The Trio accompanied Lionel Hampton on two recording dates the following summer. Their association with Hampton helped, and that winter The Trio signed with Decca. Their 1940-41 sessions for the label yielded sixteen songs and captured the attention of fellow musicians, fans and a handful of critics. Later that fall, The Trio sounded right at home with drummer Lee Young on a four-song session for the Ammor label. In 1942, Cole recorded with Red Callender and saxophonist Lester Young for the Philo/Aladdin label, Oscar Moore with Cole at the piano. Image courtesy of the Dave Dexter, Jr. Collection.producing a handful of recordings that became benchmarks in their individual careers. Signing with Capitol Records in 1943, The Trio consisted of Cole, Moore, and Johnny Miller, who had settled in as the permanent bassist. Moore left the fold in 1947 and Irving Ashby replaced him. Capitol Records featured The Trio less and less after that, while Cole was singled out as a vocalist often backed by lush string orchestras. By the 1950's, Cole's reputation as a singer had reached a wide pop audience and, upon his death in 1965, his place in music history was forever cemented. His fellow jazz peers, however, never forgot his equally unique touch on the piano and the influence his early trio work had on later performers such as Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, and Tommy Flanagan.

Call The Police
The Nat King Cole Trio Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Callin' all cars!
Callin' all cars!
Police!
Police!

Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Call the police, hurry, hurry!
'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!

Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Call the police, hurry, hurry!
'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!

Her name was Lucy May,
She went out into the garden to play, to play;
Along came a guy with high drape pants
And snatched little Lucy away!

Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Call the police, hurry, hurry!
'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!

Call the police!

Call the police!

Call the police!

Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Call the police, hurry, hurry!
'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!

Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Call the police, hurry, hurry!
'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!

Her name was Lucy May,
She went out into the garden to play, to play;
Along came a guy with high drape pants
And snatched little Lucy away!

Oh, call the police!
Call the police!
Call the police!
(scat)




Please won't you call the police!
Got it!

Overall Meaning

The Nat King Cole Trio's song "Call The Police" is a lament from a man who has lost his girlfriend, Lucy May, to another man. He urges listeners to call the police quickly because his girlfriend has been taken by a man who wore "high drape pants" and made off with Lucy while she was playing in the garden. The song is a prime example of a story song, in which a narrative is used to convey its message. The lyrics are simple and direct, using repetition to reinforce the urgency of the singer's plea. The use of the police in the lyrics for a seemingly personal matter reflects the hopelessness and desperation of the singer.


The song belongs to the genre of jazz and blues, an American musical form rooted in African American communities that emerged at the turn of the 20th century. Jazz and blues have influenced much of American music and are known for their powerful vocal and instrumental performances. Nat King Cole, one of the most celebrated jazz pianists of his time, was known for his rich voice and relaxed phrasing. Cole’s distinct voice and signature delivery helped him become one of the most iconic performers of his era.


Line by Line Meaning

Callin' all cars!
Urgent message to all police cars in the area, requesting assistance


Call the police, hurry, hurry!
Please contact the authorities immediately and with urgency


Won't you call the police, quick quick quick!
Please act with great speed and urgency in calling the police


'Cause the guy has stole my gal from me!
An individual has taken my romantic partner without permission or consent


Her name was Lucy May,
The victim's name is Lucy May


She went out into the garden to play, to play;
Lucy May went outside to engage in recreational activities


Along came a guy with high drape pants
An individual with baggy pants arrived on the scene


And snatched little Lucy away!
The aforementioned individual forcefully took Lucy May without permission or consent


Call the police!
Repeat of the urgent request for police assistance


(scat)
Vocalized instrumental improvisation


Please won't you call the police!
Polite plea for someone to contact the authorities urgently


Got it!
Confirmation or agreement with a previous statement or request




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NAT KING COLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@thewisemonkey3692

I love this one

@peba460

The number one of América jazz .

@dominic2524

When you have to watch this for school.. xD

@DoubeEdged7

Arrest Lenny and squiggy for stealing the song.

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