He started his career as a gospel singer touring Texas with The Spiritual Five in the 1950's but started gigging solo in Dallas in local R&B clubs with the bands of Big Bo Thomas and Frank Shelton. By the mid 60's he was recording soulful rock n roll with an emphasis on bluesy balladry. Z.Z Hill's style is somewhat reminiscent of other southern blues & soul singers like Percy Sledge, Bobby Bland and his biggest influence B.B King, which is supposedly where he got the idea to shorten his name to Z.Z.
He started hitting his commercial stride with early 70's hits including Chokin' Kind, Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes, and Faithful and True. While signed to Columbia, "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It," spent 18 weeks on the Billboard R&B chart in the summer of 1977. Cheatin' In The Next Room was released in early 1982 and broke into the top 20 nationally, spending a total of 20 weeks on the charts.
His song Down Home Blues helped propel a 1982 album of the same name to stay on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. Songs like "Someone Else Is Steppin In" and "Open House" have become R&B/Southern soul standards. During his career his songs were generally produced, arranged and/or provided by other talented writers and R&B legends including Lamont Dozier, Swamp Dogg, Dan Penn, Gary U.S Bonds, Denise LaSalle and Allen Toussaint.
Z. Z Hill's career was cut short when he died suddenly of a heart attack, after a road accident in 1984[ at the age of 48.
Get A Little Give A Little
Z.Z. Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fellas if you think I'm trying to guide you
Just ask that lady there beside you
You see it's an old fact
That women don't have trouble
Trying to get a man to sock it to her
But she do have trouble trying to get him
To open up his pocket to her
All you got to do is ask him for a dollar
Whether she's a nurse, secretary
Waitress or clerk
She can be a typist, teacher
Beautician or any kind of work
When she pays a babysitter
A car no? and a wren?
And got a few things she needs
For herself, there's nothing left
She's gotta try to keep herself looking neat
She's gotta buy clothes and food
For her kids to eat they don't show it
If they walk down the street
Some of those women
Don't have a thing at home to eat
So when you get a little, give a little
You don't necessarily have to be her man
If she's kind enough to let you love her
You shouldn't mind giving her a little help
Now fellas, you know it's wrong for us
To make love to them women all the time
If they ask us for 20 dollars
To buy their woman a pair of shoes
The first thing we say
Go ask the daddy dame, I ain't
Nobody's fool and this you can believe
But I help my woman when she's in need
Where can she go if she can't come to a man?
To dry away her tears, to help pay her bills
Or just to understand
So when you get a little, give a little
If she gives you all of her, and you accept
If she's kind enough to let you love her
You shouldn't mind giving her a little help
When you get a little, give a little
You don't necessarily
You don't necessarily have to be her man
If she's kind enough to let you love her
You shouldn't mind giving her a helping hand
The lyrics to Z.Z. Hill's song "Get A Little Give A Little" shed light on the unequal dynamics between men and women when it comes to financial support and emotional understanding in a relationship. The song addresses the common situation where women have an easier time attracting men who are willing to engage sexually, but struggle to receive financial help or emotional support from them. Hill uses storytelling to illustrate this reality, urging men to be more considerate and generous in their relationships.
The first verse emphasizes the disparity between women's ability to entice men sexually and their struggle to receive financial support. Hill encourages the audience to talk to fellow men, suggesting that they should consult the women they are with to validate this point. It becomes clear that women often encounter difficulties in getting men to provide monetary assistance, as men are more willing to give physical pleasure but hesitant to open their wallets. Hill amusingly suggests that asking a man for a dollar is enough to make him react loudly, indicating their reluctance to part with money.
The second verse highlights the various professions women can have, emphasizing that they often have multiple financial responsibilities. Hill mentions babysitters, cars, rent, and personal needs, alluding to the many expenses women face. Despite their efforts to keep up appearances and provide for their children, some women don't even have enough food at home. The lyrics expose the struggles that many women face silently and the financial strain they endure to maintain their livelihood and that of their families.
In the third verse, Hill confronts men about their attitude towards financially supporting their partners. He comments on the hypocrisy of men who are always seeking physical intimacy but refuse to provide financial aid when asked for it. Men commonly deflect responsibility by suggesting women should seek support elsewhere, essentially denying their obligations and demonstrating selfishness. Hill challenges this mindset, underlining the importance of men assuming an active role in helping their partners during times of need.
The final verse underscores the significance of giving back when one has the means to do so. Hill stresses that men shouldn't solely view women as objects of desire but as human beings who deserve care and assistance. He emphasizes the importance of being understanding, providing emotional support, and helping to alleviate financial burdens for their partners. By giving back and offering a helping hand, men demonstrate their appreciation for the women in their lives who have chosen to love them. The song ultimately calls for a more balanced and compassionate approach to relationships where both partners provide support in different ways.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to see talk to fellas a little
I want to have a conversation with the gentlemen
Fellas if you think I'm trying to guide you
Gentlemen, if you believe I am attempting to provide direction for you
Just ask that lady there beside you
Simply inquire with the woman standing next to you
You see it's an old fact
It is a well-known truth
That women don't have trouble
Women do not struggle
Trying to get a man to sock it to her
Trying to persuade a man to engage with her intimately
But she do have trouble trying to get him
But they do encounter difficulty when attempting to receive from him
To open up his pocket to her
To be generous with his finances towards her
If you wanna hear him holler
If you want to hear him complain
All you got to do is ask him for a dollar
All you need to do is request one dollar from him
Whether she's a nurse, secretary
Regardless of whether she is a nurse, secretary
Waitress or clerk
Waitress or clerk
She can be a typist, teacher
She could also be a typist or teacher
Beautician or any kind of work
A beautician or engaged in any kind of occupation
When she pays a babysitter
When she compensates a babysitter
A car no? and a wren?
Her automobile, no? How about her residence?
And got a few things she needs
With various necessities to obtain
For herself, there's nothing left
For her own needs, there is nothing remaining
She's gotta try to keep herself looking neat
She must make an effort to appear presentable
She's gotta buy clothes and food
She has to purchase clothing and food
For her kids to eat they don't show it
So her children can eat, even if they don't express it
If they walk down the street
When they walk along the street
Some of those women
Some of those women
Don't have a thing at home to eat
Do not possess anything to eat at home
So when you get a little, give a little
Therefore, when you have something, share it a bit
You don't necessarily have to be her man
You are not obligated to be her romantic partner
If she's kind enough to let you love her
If she is generous enough to allow you to love her
You shouldn't mind giving her a little help
You should not hesitate to offer her some assistance
Now fellas, you know it's wrong for us
Now gentlemen, you are aware that it is incorrect for us
To make love to them women all the time
To engage in intimate activities with those women constantly
If they ask us for 20 dollars
If they request twenty dollars from us
To buy their woman a pair of shoes
To purchase a pair of shoes for their partner
The first thing we say
The initial response we provide
Go ask the daddy dame, I ain't
Seek assistance from the father figure, as I am not inclined
Nobody's fool and this you can believe
I am not foolish, and you can trust this statement
But I help my woman when she's in need
However, I assist my partner when she requires support
Where can she go if she can't come to a man?
If she cannot rely on a man, where is she supposed to turn?
To dry away her tears, to help pay her bills
To remove her tears and contribute to her financial responsibilities
Or just to understand
Or simply to provide understanding
So when you get a little, give a little
Therefore, when you obtain something, be willing to share it
If she gives you all of her, and you accept
If she gives you her whole self, and you embrace it
If she's kind enough to let you love her
If she is compassionate enough to allow you to love her
You shouldn't mind giving her a little help
You should have no objection to providing her with a little aid
When you get a little, give a little
When you possess something, share a portion of it
You don't necessarily
It is not required
You don't necessarily have to be her man
You are not obligated to be her significant other
If she's kind enough to let you love her
If she is gracious enough to permit your affection
You shouldn't mind giving her a helping hand
You should not hesitate to offer her assistance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DeAnn Motis
My auntie told me if a man can't do this for you. He doesn't deserve you!
Frederick Byndum
My mother told her brother this
RB Colbert
How about you doing it for yourself?
David Osler
Gotta love ZZ Hill. I'm from Britain, where he is little known. But one of the giants of blues/soul crossover. And yeah, the message of the song applies here too!
Fullforce
If she's kind enough to let........you love her.......... GO HEAD ZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bosslady 1
Preach
Trina T
My favorite...this song tells it like it is for single moms...my anthem song to men that can't handle up
skanking joe
We all run short sometimes. If you have to tell someone to help out his lady, he's a hopeless case
Eddie Bradford
"...if you wanna hear him holler ask him for a dollar." LOL
Nubeing09 N
He is the reason I love the blues thank you ZZ. Hill for writing and singing the truth!