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
Shout Bamalama
Wet Willie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
he's down in alabama
shoutin' bamalama
way down in louisana
well, well, well
nobody's gonna set him down
how many chickens have i stole
one last night and the night before
i'm going back and tryin' to get 10, 11 more
startin' to get 'em and i
i love a chicken, baby
shoutin' bamalama
well, well, well
nobody's gonna set him down
9 feet, 10 feet we're goin' for the build
9 feet left on a 10 feet of hill
10 feet turn around a 9 feet fence
his teeth fell out, but his tongue stayed in
it's gettin' said so...
he got the chicken, baby
shoutin' bamalama
well, well, well
nobody's gonna set him down
leo demarket rode a line one day
bad little fella comin' down the way
we were talkin' 'bout the family, its a cryin' shame
he tell ya, "mother is workin' on the chain gang"
she busts his britches now
she's good at workin' hard
shoutin' bamalama
well, well, well
nobody's gonna set him down
the preacher and the deacon were prayin' one day
along come a bear comin' down that way
the preacher told the deacon to say a prayer
he said, "lord, a prayer wont kill this bear"
i gotta make it, baby
shout bamalama
i gotta run for it
well, well, well
nobody's gonna set him down
The lyrics to Wet Willie's "Shout Bamalama" tell a silly and somewhat nonsensical story about a man who loves chickens and is traveling somewhere in the deep South, perhaps between Alabama and Louisiana. The man is shouting "Bamalama" throughout the song, which seems to be a nonsense word or phrase that serves as a form of expression or exclamation. The lyrics refer to the man stealing chickens and trying to steal more, bragging about his ability to evade getting caught or stopped by anyone. The references to feet and buildings seem to make little sense, and there is a brief mention of a "bad little fella" and a "bear" that do not fit into the main narrative.
Line by Line Meaning
shout bamalama
Exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm
he's down in alabama
Referring to a man's location in Alabama
shoutin' bamalama
Repeated exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm
way down in louisana
Referring to a man's location in Louisiana
well, well, well
Exclamation of surprise or emphasis
nobody's gonna set him down
Determination to succeed and overcome obstacles
lord have mercy on my soul
Expression of distress or concern
how many chickens have i stole
Questioning of the number of chickens stolen
one last night and the night before
Statement of recently stealing chickens
i'm going back and tryin' to get 10, 11 more
Determination to steal more chickens
startin' to get 'em and i
Becoming successful in stealing chickens
i love a chicken, baby
Affection for chickens
9 feet, 10 feet we're goin' for the build
Construction of a structure over rough terrain
9 feet left on a 10 feet of hill
Remaining distance to climb up the hill
10 feet turn around a 9 feet fence
Obstacle to overcome by building a structure
his teeth fell out, but his tongue stayed in
Physical description of a person or animal
it's gettin' said so...
Emphasis on the challenging task
he got the chicken, baby
Successful achievement of stealing chickens
leo demarket rode a line one day
Introduction of a character and storytelling
bad little fella comin' down the way
Description of a person's character
we were talkin' 'bout the family, its a cryin' shame
Discussion of a sad or unfortunate situation
he tell ya, "mother is workin' on the chain gang"
Explanation of the character's mother's situation
she busts his britches now
Expression of the mother's discipline
she's good at workin' hard
Positive attribute given to the mother character
the preacher and the deacon were prayin' one day
Introduction of characters and storytelling
along come a bear comin' down that way
Introduction of a challenging situation
the preacher told the deacon to say a prayer
Attempt to overcome the challenging situation
he said, "lord, a prayer wont kill this bear"
Realization that prayer alone is not enough
i gotta make it, baby
Expression of determination to succeed and overcome obstacles
shout bamalama
Repeated exclamation of excitement or enthusiasm
i gotta run for it
Determination to escape the challenging situation
well, well, well
Exclamation of surprise or emphasis
nobody's gonna set him down
Determination to succeed and overcome obstacles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: OTIS REDDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DSPANFilm
Jimmy Hall's sister on vocals? Very cool. I had their first two albums, and saw them live. You did a great job on this mix! Thanks. 👍💝
John Tiggleman
I have the album and see no mention of his sister...on this song, it lists "Additional background vocals" Ella Avery. Unless her first name was Donna, or she is uncredited.
Mr. Breeze
I don't care what anybody says. This is the most underrated band in history. Jimmy hall was/is one of the best vocalist and percussionist in the land
Buelligan88
Never knew that was Jimmy Hall's sister on vocals. Sexy voice.
T. Bone
High school 8 Track, jammin, good times
Steven Antes
this is pure dilly dilly and more dilly dilly music love it jacks me up !!!
Robert Ettinger
Yes
Sir...
Steven Antes
@Robert Ettinger rob the best way to listen to shout bamalama is vinyl,250 amp,15 inch woofers, high vol. do not know about 7:30 saturday morning
Steven Antes
this in my top ten jack me up !
Michael Kelly
Lovely