Humphreys County, Mississippi - d. 31 January 1980) was a pioneer rockabilly singer and guitar player.
Smith was born to Ioda and Willie Warren Smith, who divorced when he was young. He was raised by his maternal grandparents in Louise, Mississippi where they had a small farm and dry goods store.
Smith took up the guitar to while away his evenings while in the United States Air Force stationed in San Antonio, Tx. By the time of his discharge from the service, he had decided to make a career of music. He moved to West Memphis, Arkansas and auditioned, successfully, to play the Cotton Club, a local hot spot. Steel guitarist Stan Kessler, who was playing at that nightclub with the Snearly Ranch Boys, immediately spotted Smith's potential and took him to Memphis' famed Sun Records, to audition for Sam Phillips with the Snearly Ranch Boys providing backup.
Phillips liked what he heard, and decided that "Rock & Roll Ruby", a song credited to Johnny Cash, would be Smith's first record. (Smith later claimed that "Rock & Roll Ruby" was actually written by George Jones and sold to Cash for $40.) Smith recorded that rock & roll classic on February 5, 1956. Phillips, who was hedging his bets over whether rock & roll would maintain its popularity, released that record with a country crooner, aptly named "I'd Rather Be Safe Than Sorry", on the flip side. By May 26, "Rock & Roll Ruby" had hit number 1 on the local pop charts. Smith's first record for Sun went on to outsell the first Sun releases by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.
In August 1956, Smith went back to the Sun Records studio to record his second release "Ubangi Stomp". This infectious rocker had a politically incorrect lyric including an African chief with the syntax of a movie Indian. For the B side, Smith recorded the classic ballad "Black Jack David". This song, which originated in early eighteenth century Britain and survived in various forms, in the mountains of the American south, may be the oldest song ever recorded by a rock & roll performer. Although a resounding artistic success, this record did not sell as well as Smith's debut.
Although Smith continued to make great rockabilly records for Sun, including a rocking cover version of Slim Harpo's "Got Love If Your Want It" (recorded in October 1957), these records did not do well commercially. Toward the end of 1958, Smith, seeing his future in country music, cut a final record for Sun, a cover version of Don Gibson's "Sweet Sweet Girl". In spite of a review in Billboard magazine calling it "ultra commercial" (high praise from a music business publication), this record also failed to sell. Smith decided to leave Sun Records.
In 1959, Smith and his wife and son moved from Mississippi to California, settling in Sherman Oaks, not far from Johnny and Vivian Cash. Cash offered Smith a spot on his show, but Smith turned it down, seeing himself as a headliner, not a supporting player. In early 1960, Smith signed with Liberty records, and immediately scored a hit with "I Don't Believe I'll Fall in Love Today", which went to #5 on Billboard's Country & Western chart. This record, and Smith's subsequent records, was produced by Joe Allison, and featured one of California's best country session musicians, Ralph Mooney, on pedal steel guitar. Smith scored again with his next record for Liberty, "Odds and Ends, Bits and Pieces", written by Harlan Howard. Liberty had Smith record several more tracks, mostly cover versions of recent country hits, to flesh out an album called "The First Country Collection of Warren Smith".
Smith continued to record with some success for Liberty, and to tour with his band, from 1960 - 1965. On August 17, 1965, Smith, had a serious car accident in LaGrange, Texas, suffering serious back injuries, from which it took him nearly a year to recover. By this time, his contract with Liberty had lapsed. Smith made several attempts to restart his career, first with a small, virtually amateur label called Skill records, then for Mercury Records, but, sadly, difficulties with addictions to pills and alcohol held him back. Eventually, Smith's drug problems led to an 18-month term in an Alabama prison for robbing a pharmacy.
After his release from prison, Smith continued to struggle to restart his career. In the late 1970s, he got a bit of a boost from the rockabilly revival then occurring. He was invited, in 1977, to appear at London's Rainbow Theatre, on a bill featuring Charlie Feathers, Buddy Knox and Jack Scott. To his shock, Smith was received in London with standing ovations. His reception in England boosted his spirits and, upon his return to the U.S., he began to perform with newfound vigor. In November 1978, Smith and fellow Sun alumnus Ray Smith toured Europe, again to great success.
In 1980, while preparing for another European tour, Smith died of a heart attack at 47 years of age.
Warren Smith's contribution to the rockabilly music has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Tee other Warren Smith :
The virtuoso percussionist, Warren Smith (b. 14 May 1934, Chicago, Illinois) has worked with diverse artists as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Sam Rivers, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Bill Cole and Harry Partch, and he was a founding member, along with Max Roach, of the percussion group, M'Boom.
Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache
Warren Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
F G
A long tall man with a red coat on
C Am
Good-for-nothing-baby you've been doing me wrong
F G
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
C / Am
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
C / Am / F / G
C Am
Who's been playing around with you
F G
A real cool cat with eyes of blue
C Am
Triflin' baby are you being true
F G
Who's been foiling around with you
C / Am
F G
Who's been fooling around with you
C / Am / F / G
F
Somebody saw you at the break of day
C
Dining and a-dancing in the cabaret
Am
He was long and tall, he had plenty of cash
G
He had a red cadillac and a black moustache
C Am
He held your hand and he sang you a song
F G
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
C / Am
F G
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
SOLO
Somebody saw you at the break of day
Dining and a-dancing in the cabaret
He was long and tall, he had plenty of cash
He had a red cadillac and a black moustache
He held your hand and he sang you a song
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
The lyrics to “Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache” by Warren Smith tell the story of a man who has returned to find out who his partner has been seeing while he was gone. The first verse asks the question, “Who you been lovin’ since I been gone?” The second verse suggests that the partner has been seeing “a real cool cat with eyes of blue” who may not have been faithful. The third verse gives more detail, revealing that someone saw the partner at a cabaret with a man who drove a red Cadillac with a black mustache. The song questions the faithfulness of the partner and resolves with the unanswered question, "Who you been lovin' since I been gone?"
This song is a classic example of rockabilly music and is characterized by its upbeat tempo, country-influenced sound, and catchy lyrics. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who were prominent songwriters in the 1950s and 1960s. “Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache” was first recorded by Warren Smith in 1957 and was later covered by a number of other artists, including Bob Luman and Dwight Yoakam. The song has remained popular through the years and has become a classic of the rockabilly genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
As soon as I stepped away from you, you found a new man, a tall one wearing a red coat whom I suspect you've been romantically involved with.
A long tall man with a red coat on
This is the man you've been seeing, he's tall and wears a coat that is red in color.
Good-for-nothing-baby you've been doing me wrong
I can't believe you'd cheat on me with this new man, it's completely unfair.
Who's been playing around with you
Who is this man that has been engaging in a romantic relationship with you?
A real cool cat with eyes of blue
He's a smooth operator with blue eyes.
Triflin' baby are you being true
I hope you're not cheating on me because that would be trifling and hurtful.
Who's been foiling around with you
Who's been fooling around with you and breaking my heart?
Somebody saw you at the break of day
It's not just me who knows about your infidelity, someone saw you early in the morning.
Dining and a-dancing in the cabaret
They saw you out eating and dancing with this new man in a cabaret.
He was long and tall, he had plenty of cash
This new man that you're seeing is quite wealthy, as he's tall and has plenty of money.
He had a red cadillac and a black moustache
This tall, wealthy man has a red cadillac and a black moustache - distinguishing features which would make him easily recognizable to anyone who knows him.
He held your hand and he sang you a song
This new man isn't just wealthy and tall, he's also romantic and serenaded you with a song.
Who you been lovin' since I been gone
You've moved on to a new man, so I'd like to know - who have you been seeing since I left?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LILLIAN MAY, WILLIE BEA THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexismoore5865
Warren smith is my father, he is greatly missed but not forgotten ,thanks to all his fans
@ratcals1
Sorry for your loss. This is one of my favorite tunes from that era. I was born in the 60s, but have a great fondness for this era of music.
@milesgregory792
I had known this song for years before I knew Mr Smith's name.
One of my favorites.
@deyana99
Alexis Moore, Sorry for your loss. What a great voice your dad had. This song sets a time and place for me. :)
@donbuck8110
What a cool guy
@stephenandrews8419
alexis Moore. I think your dad was an absolute legend Alexis, this has always been one of my favourite old Rockers. It's been imitated many times, but never been matched. You must be so proud. Good luck always, London Steve
@larshansson9442
This is a true classic rock'n roll record. Everything is perfect, song, backing of drums and guitarr. Even the record label is the right one.
@rainstormzee554
I just stumbled on this on a search of old car lots of the '50s on YouTube, I am 67 and have never heard this song until now, what an amazing sound! Pure rockabilly
Incredible echo effect.
@mattkarres3321
Same here. Incredible!
@mcmattei5650
Sam Phillips was a true pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music. It is so very hard to believe that so many GREAT recording artist came from just one small ; independent record company. SUN RECORDS U.S.A. God bless and R.I.P Sam Phliips