4 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Jitterbug Boy Lyrics
Jitterbug Boy
Well, I'm a jitterbug boy, by the shoe-shine
Resting on my laurels and my hardys too
Life of Riley on a swing shift, gears follow my drift
Once upon a time I was in show-biz too
I seen the Brooklyn Dodgers playing at Ebbets Field
Seen the Kentucky Derby too
It's fast women, slow horses, unreliable sources,
And I'm holding up the lamp-post if you want to know
I've seen the Wabash Cannonball, buddy, I've done it all
'Cause I slept with the lions and Marilyn Monroe,
Had breakfast in the eye of a hurricane
Fought Rocky Marciano, played Minnesota Fats,
Burned hundred-dollar bills, I've eaten Mulligan stew
Got drunk with Louis Armstrong, what's that old song?
I taught Mickey Mantle everything that he knows
So you ask me what I'm doing here holding up the lamp-post,
Flipping this quarter, trying to make up my mind
And if it's heads I go to Tennessee, and tails I buy a drink,
If it lands on the edge I keep talking to you
(scat)
Resting on my laurels and my hardys too
Life of Riley on a swing shift, gears follow my drift
Once upon a time I was in show-biz too
I seen the Brooklyn Dodgers playing at Ebbets Field
Seen the Kentucky Derby too
It's fast women, slow horses, unreliable sources,
And I'm holding up the lamp-post if you want to know
I've seen the Wabash Cannonball, buddy, I've done it all
'Cause I slept with the lions and Marilyn Monroe,
Had breakfast in the eye of a hurricane
Fought Rocky Marciano, played Minnesota Fats,
Burned hundred-dollar bills, I've eaten Mulligan stew
Got drunk with Louis Armstrong, what's that old song?
I taught Mickey Mantle everything that he knows
So you ask me what I'm doing here holding up the lamp-post,
Flipping this quarter, trying to make up my mind
And if it's heads I go to Tennessee, and tails I buy a drink,
If it lands on the edge I keep talking to you
(scat)
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
What a brilliant song...Here's to all the Bull*** out there and; they've been commemorated with their own song at last. Haven't we all had to listen at one time or another or even been taken in by some guy arrogantly assuming that everybody is dumb enough to find what they boast about themselves as being even remotely plausible.
What he's saying is that he's not impressed with BS, and as far as he is concerned claiming to have slept w/ M Monroe is as impressive as eating Mulligan stew.
I'm convinced I've heard a version of this song where he says "It's fast women, slower horses, I'm reliable sources. I'll tell you anything you want me to know."
I can't find this version anywhere though. Has anybody else heard this version?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3__wH10Pw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3__wH10Pw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nC3__wH10Pw (i think i posted the wrong link the first time. sorry. ~tanya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=nC3__wH10Pw (i think i posted the wrong link the first time. sorry. ~tanya
@MadSci What is Mulligan's Stew?
@MadSci What is Mulligan's Stew?
@MadSci Sorry to answer only now but I read yr comment today. You can find the only correct version of the song on the album 'Small Change'. One of my favorite songs of all times, along with 'Invitation To The Blues', still by Tom Waits.
@MadSci Sorry to answer only now but I read yr comment today. You can find the only correct version of the song on the album 'Small Change'. One of my favorite songs of all times, along with 'Invitation To The Blues', still by Tom Waits.
@MadSci i like your version, even better than his. clumping together pop marketing trash , w every day events. u should write it. not sure it was toms intention, cause only 1 ref is to stew.
@MadSci i like your version, even better than his. clumping together pop marketing trash , w every day events. u should write it. not sure it was toms intention, cause only 1 ref is to stew.
This is about a guy who is obviously down and out and is using braggadocio to build himself up. It's endearing in a way.
So, essentially, Tom Waits is saying that Tom Waits is super awesome (he taught Micky Mantle everything that he knows!), and he does not really want to talk to you anymore.