Tramp
The Steve Miller Band Lyrics

Tramp
The singer is being called a tramp.

What you call me?
The singer questions why they are being called a tramp.

Oh you didn't
The singer acknowledges that they were in fact called a tramp.

You don't wear continental clothes or Stetson hats
The artist is being criticized for not dressing in expensive and fashionable clothing.

Well I tell you one doggone thing
The artist is about to make a statement.

It makes me feel good to know one thing
The singer is about to reveal something positive.

I know I'm a lover
The singer is confident about their skills in romantic relationships.

Matter of opinion, baby
The artist acknowledges that not everyone will agree with their self-assessment.

That's all right, Mama was
The artist's mother was also a lover, suggesting it may run in the family.

So Papa too
The artist's father was also a lover.

And I'm the only child
The singer's parents only had one child.

Lovin' is all I know to do
The artist feels that they are good at expressing love and that is their specialty.

You know what, Otis?
The singer is addressing someone named Otis.

What?
Otis responds to the singer's address.

You're country
The singer is calling Otis a country person, possibly with negative connotations.

That's all right
The artist is saying that it's not necessarily a bad thing to be country.

You straight from the Georgia woods
The artist is suggesting that Otis comes from a rural, possibly impoverished area of Georgia.

That's good
The singer is attempting to be reassuring by acknowledging the positive aspects of Otis' background.

You know what? You wear overalls
The singer is teasing Otis about his clothing.

And big old brogan shoes
The artist continues to poke fun at Otis' appearance, specifically his footwear.

And you need a haircut, tramp
The artist is criticizing Otis for his long hair.

Haircut? Woman, you foolin'
Otis denies that he needs a haircut, either sincerely or jokingly.

Ooh, I'm a lover
The singer reaffirms their skill as a lover.

Mama was, Grandmama, Papa too
The artist's relatives were also purportedly skilled in love.

They'll make you one
The singer suggests that love can be taught or passed down through families.

Oh, that's alright
The singer is being agreeable, possibly sarcastically or dismissively.

And I'm the only son of a gun, yeah, this side of the sun
The singer is asserting their uniqueness and confidence in their skills as a lover.

Tramp
The artist continues to be labeled a tramp.

That's right, that's what you are
The artist agrees with the label.

[Incomprehensible]
The lyrics are unintelligible here.

You know what? I'm no tramp
The singer denies the label.

You know what, Otis?
The artist addresses Otis again.

I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp
Otis continues to call the artist a tramp, and they assert that it doesn't matter what he says, they do not identify as one.

What?
Otis expresses surprise or disbelief at the artist's assertion.

Don't call me that
The singer is demanding that Otis stop calling them a tramp.

Look here you ain't got no money
Some conflict may have arisen over money between the two speakers.

I got everything
The singer is claiming to have a lot of wealth and possessions.

You can't buy me all those minks and sables and all that stuff I want
The singer is claiming that even with their wealth, Otis cannot buy them everything they desire.

I can buy you minks, rats, frogs, squirrels, rabbits
The singer is listing various animals that they could purchase for Otis.

Anything you want, woman
The artist is offering to purchase anything that Otis desires.

Look, you can go out in the Georgia woods catch them, baby
The artist is suggesting that Otis could hunt and catch the animals himself rather than purchase them.

Oh, you foolin'
Otis is dismissive of the suggestion that he hunt and catch animals himself.

You're still a tramp
Otis continues to call the singer a tramp.

That's alright
The artist is being agreeable, albeit not sincerely, in response to Otis' continued name-calling.

You a tramp, Otis, you just a tramp
The artist is now calling Otis a tramp in return.

That's alright
The artist is not bothered by being called a tramp, and seems to be returning the insult playfully.

[Incomprehensible]
The lyrics are unintelligible here.

You wear overalls, you need a haircut, baby
The artist again insults Otis' appearance with regard to his clothing and hairstyle.

[Incomprehensible]
The lyrics are unintelligible here.

Cut off some of that hair off your head
The singer is again telling Otis to cut his hair.

You think you a lover, huh?
The singer doubts Otis' prowess as a lover.