The five original members of Wet Willie, all from Mobile, Alabama, came together in 1969 and soon realized they had something special. Jimmy was out front, a triple threat on lead vocals, sax and harmonica; as one writer said, “Jimmy Hall was who Mick Jagger wanted to be!” Ricky Hirsch played guitars and wrote or co-wrote much of the band’s material, with Jack Hall, Jimmy’s brother, on bass, Lewis Ross on drums and John Anthony on keyboards.
The band relocated to Macon, Georgia in 1970 where they were signed by Phil Walden’s Capricorn label, and got right to work on their self-titled first album. Upon its release later that year, Wet Willie began a relentless touring schedule, and soon became known as one of the hardest working bands of the Southern Rock era. As they put it, they “opened for everyone from A to Z: Allman Brothers to ZZ Top!”
Their second album, Wet Willie II came out a year later, followed by Drippin’ Wet, a live set recorded in New Orleans that captured the intense energy of their live shows. With the release of their fourth album in 1974, Keep On Smilin’, the band broke into the charts with the title track, hitting number 10 on national radio charts and number one in many Southern markets. Another track, “Countryside of Life,” became a staple of Wet Willie’s live shows and was later covered by country artists Alabama.
Vintage photo of Wet Willie BandAlso featured on Keep On Smilin’ and it’s follow up, Dixie Rock, were female backing vocalists The Williettes, including the Hall brothers’ sister, Donna Hall. They added even more dimension to the band’s gospel and soul sensibilities. Wet Willie also had chart success with the title track “Dixie Rock,” another fan favorite on the band’s set list. Another talented Alabama musician, Michael Duke debuted on Dixie Rock on vocals and organ and stayed with the band through their tenure in the Southern Rock era. The Wetter the Better was recorded in 1976 and became the band’s last studio album for Capricorn.
A second live set, Left Coast Live in 1977 and a greatest hits collection followed before the band entered a period of personnel and record label changes. Emerging in 1978 with a new Epic Records contract, the new line-up included Jimmy and Jack Hall, Mike Duke, Drummer T.K. Lively, and guitarists Marshall Smith and Larry Berwald. Wet Willie’s first Epic album, Manorisms, cut in England at the Manor Studios (thus the title), was released in 1978 and had a more polished, almost pop sheen. The harmony-filled track “Streetcorner Serenade” also hit the charts and became another fan favorite. The band’s last album for Epic followed in 1979. Titled Which One’s Willie?, it included “Weekend” which added a bit of a disco edge and was also well received on national radio.
The members of Wet Willie spent the 80’s pursuing varied projects and regrouped in the early 90’s following a reunion concert in Mobile for Mardi Gras. Photo of the new Wet Willie BandThe core of the band, siblings Jimmy, Jack and Donna Hall-Foster and drummer T.K. Lively remains intact today. Completing the current line-up are long-time members Ric Seymour, a multi-talented vocalist/guitarist; Ricky Chancey, versatile on electric and acoustic guitar, steel guitar and harp; and latest addition, very capable keyboardist Bobby Mobley.
At varied points in their career, Wet Willie has been featured in showcases and displays at the Alabama and Georgia Music Halls of Fame, and in 1976 received the prestigious America’s Music Award from the Alabama Hall of Fame.
Recorded in Woodstock, GA in 2011, Wet Willie’s newest release, Miles of Smiles, on Atlanta’s Hittin’ the Note label, is their first live CD since 1977 and includes their anthem “Keep On Smilin’," along with other crowd favorites and some previously unreleased songs. The band continues to tour, bringing their unique brand of high energy Southern Rock to festivals and other venues throughout the South and beyond.
Booking and press contact:
Terry Reeves, Music Matters Entertainment
(404) 734-6168 or email Music Matters Entertainment
You can also see 'Wet Willie' as The Wet Willie Band on Last.fm.
Official Website: Wet Willie
Baby Fat
Wet Willie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have you heard the news
Talk is goin' around
Let me tell you people
What is goin' down
Well, it sure is easy
To get yourself in [Incomprehensible], yes it is
Every time to touch
Every time to touch
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
That's where it's at
All right
Hey there, little school girl
My, you sure look sweet, yes, you do
I'll give you some of my candy
If you come on home with me
Don't tell your papa
What we're gonna do, no
They'll put me in the jail house, yes they will
For the crime of lovin' you
Just for lovin' you
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Break it down now
Baby fat
People caught upon me
But I won't take their advice
It might get me in trouble
But Lord, it sure is nice
When I look around me
And I see a sweet young thing
Well, my heart just starts to jump in
And I just have to sing
I just have to sing
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
That's where it's at
Baby fat
Baby fat
Baby fat
Baby fat
The song Baby Fat by Wet Willie talks about the desire for younger girls with "baby fat" and the potential consequences that come with it. The singer warns that it's easy to get into trouble and advises listeners to be careful when touching younger girls. Despite the warnings, the singer can't resist the temptation and pursues a younger girl, even though it could get him in trouble with the law. The song is a commentary on the sexualization of younger girls and the danger of acting on those desires.
The chorus of "Baby fat, that's where it's at" implies that the attraction is specifically to the plumpness associated with youth. The song's lyrics were controversial at the time of its release in 1972 and it was even banned in some places. However, the song did well on the charts, peaking at #74 on the US Billboard 100.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on
Let's get started
Have you heard the news
Do you know what's happening?
Talk is goin' around
There are rumors spreading
Let me tell you people
I'll give you the scoop
What is goin' down
What's happening
Well, it sure is easy
It's simple
To get yourself in [Incomprehensible], yes it is
To get into trouble
You better be careful, yeah
You need to watch out
Every time to touch
Every time you're touched
Baby fat
Young and innocent
That's where it's at
That's the focus
All right
Okay
Hey there, little school girl
Hi, young and naive girl
My, you sure look sweet, yes, you do
You look lovely
I'll give you some of my candy
I'll offer you some tempting things
If you come on home with me
If you come to my place
Don't tell your papa
Don't tell your father
What we're gonna do, no
Our secret plans
They'll put me in the jail house, yes they will
I could get into trouble
For the crime of lovin' you
For being romantically involved with you
Baby fat
Young and innocent
That's where it's at
That's the focus
Break it down now
Let's get serious
People caught upon me
People criticize me
But I won't take their advice
But I won't listen to them
It might get me in trouble
It could cause problems for me
But Lord, it sure is nice
But it feels good
When I look around me
When I see the world
And I see a sweet young thing
And I see an attractive young woman
Well, my heart just starts to jump in
My heart races
And I just have to sing
And I have to express myself
Baby fat
Young and innocent
That's where it's at
That's the focus
Baby fat
Young and innocent
Baby fat
Young and innocent
Baby fat
Young and innocent
Baby fat
Young and innocent
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JACK VIRGIL HALL, JACK VIRGIL JR. HALL, JAMES ROBERT HALL, MAURICE RICHARD HIRSCH, MIKE DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind