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
Street Corner Serenade
Wet Willie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me and the fellows used to gather round
The song we sang it sound so sweet
I can still hear that harmony
Singin de de de de deet
Who, whoa oh ah ah
Guide he's the one that sang down low
I'm the one that sang the lead
Little Jackie made our song complete
Singin de de de de deet
Who, whoa oh ah ah
When a pretty girl would come passing by
We tried too hard to catch her eye
And when she stopped to check us out
That's when we really sang out loud
Singin de de de de deet
Who, whoa oh ah ah
I still remember those happy days
We passed our time in carefree ways
Maybe someday we'll get together again
Down on the corner with my old friends
Singin de de de de deet
Who, whoa oh ah ah
The song "Street Corner Serenade" by Wet Willie captures the essence of a time and place where young men gathered on the street corner in their hometown, singing their hearts out in the hope of catching the attention of pretty girls passing by. The song has a wistful quality, as the singer looks back on these carefree days with nostalgia and longing for the past. The lyrics also highlight the importance of each member of the group and their unique contribution to their sound, with Guide singing down low, Crazy Larry on the baritone, the singer on lead, and Little Jackie completing their sound.
Through the lyrics, the listener is transported back to a simpler time where joys and pleasures were easily found. The musicality of the song perfectly captures the storytelling, with the harmony sounding sweet and carefree. The nostalgic tone of the lyrics shows how important it is to look back on the happy memories that enrich our lives; it is through our past experiences that we learn and grow.
Line by Line Meaning
Down on the corner in my home town
On the street corner in my hometown
Me and the fellows used to gather round
My friends and I used to hang out together
The song we sang it sound so sweet
The melody of our song was beautiful
I can still hear that harmony
I can still remember the harmonies we sang
Singin de de de de deet
Singing the catchy chorus of our song
Who, whoa oh ah ah
Expressing the joyful feeling of singing together
Guide he's the one that sang down low
The guide, a member of our group, sang the lower notes
Crazy Larry sang the baritone
Crazy Larry, another member of our group, sang the middle notes
I'm the one that sang the lead
I, the artist, sang the highest notes
Little Jackie made our song complete
Little Jackie's contribution made our song perfect
When a pretty girl would come passing by
Whenever an attractive girl walked by
We tried too hard to catch her eye
We would make an effort to get her attention
And when she stopped to check us out
If she stopped to look at us
That's when we really sang out loud
That's when we sang with the most passion
I still remember those happy days
I have fond memories of those carefree days
We passed our time in carefree ways
We spent our time without a worry in the world
Maybe someday we'll get together again
Perhaps in the future we'll reunite
Down on the corner with my old friends
Back on the street corner with my friends
Singin de de de de deet
Singing the chorus of our song with nostalgia
Who, whoa oh ah ah
Thinking of the happy times we shared together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, XAIGON PUBLISHING COMPANY,INC.
Written by: J. HALL, MARSHALL O SMITH, MIKE DUKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Goldstein
I remember hearing this song many times during the summer of 1978.
Scott Larson
It's strange how many songs got into the charts in the winter of 77/78 then peaked in the summer.
1927Norma
Haven't heard this in years. Great song!!! (back in the day when music was to make us feel good without drugs not kill people...gosh I am old)!!!!
Austin Teutsch
Me too. I'm 68 and it's Oct. 1, 2022. Love rock and roll till I die and when I die, they will be playiing rock and rock at the funeral home.
Liz Lajqi
This song is indescribably good.
andyinoregon
Great song choice, Dave. I saw them perform this live in concert at The Vic Theater in Chicago in Jan. '78. The city was snowbound from the blizzard of the decade, but Wet Willie really delivered the musical heat that night.
Tammy Sigmon
+William Boothman I'd believe that!!! Dennis DeYoung absolutely RUINED the greatness that was Styx. He just couldn't let it be about the music. Wet Willie had the whole package, awesome!
Redd Dawgg
@William Boothman I saw Willie in Charleston, firefall aka firefail was the main band. Willie played 4 encores and the crowd wanted more. The lights came up but as Jimmy was trying to walk off his brother stopped him by sayin, these folks want to hear some music. So they did Shout Bamalama with the lights on! Then after the song Jimmy apologized by saying thats all I got i gotta sit down.
the firefall came on and everyone was chanting for Wet Willie. Best concert ever, except for firefail they sucked.
daveinprogress3
wow, wet willie and styx - great bill
William Boothman
@daveinprogress3 I saw Wet Willy open for Styx when this was getting radio play way back then at the old Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, SC. They should have been the headliner that night. They had the whole place on their feet and screaming for more! I couldn't believe there was that strong a response for a second encore and when the house lights came up I knew the Styx road crew was responsible..... they were that damned good! Styx took the stage and blew chunks!