Tampa Red's & Georgia Tom's "It's Tight Like That" is one of the most influential and the most often copied blues songs ever.
It was also sort of a precursor of the "Bottle It Up And Go" / "Step It Up And Go" / "Shake It Up And Go" songcluster.
But already in 1925 Papa Charlie Jackson recorded a song that was the real mother of the songs mentioned above: "Shake That Thing".
Lyrics "Shake That Thing":
Now down in Georgia they got a dance that's new
There ain't nothing to it, it's easy to do
They call it shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now it ain't no Charleston, ain't no Chicken Wing
All you got to do is to shake that thing
They call it shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now the old folks like it, the young folks too
The old folks showing the young folks how to do
They call it shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now get back to me they're dyin' to do (?)
Let your mammy show you just how to do
They call it shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
I was walking down town and stumbled and fell
My mouth jumped open like a country well
Watching 'em shake that thing, aww, watching 'em shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
(Instrumental chorus)
Now Grandpa Johnson grabbed Sister Kate
He shook her just like she's taking jelly from a plate
He told her shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now old Uncle Jack the jelly roll king
He just got back from shaking that thing
Now shake that thing, watchin' them all, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now old Uncle Moe he's sick in bed
His doctor says he's almost dead
From watchin' shake that thing, watching 'em all, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
Now the folks in Georgia they done gone wild
Over this brand new dancing style
They call shake that thing, aww, shake that thing
I'm getting sick 'n' tired of telling you to shake that thing
(o) Papa Charlie Jackson (1925) (as "Shake That Thing")
Recorded May 1925 in Chicago.
Papa Charlie Jackson: vocal and banjo
Released on Paramount 12281.
The label says "Guitar acc.", but this is actually a banjo
Listen here:
(c) The Jim-Dandies (1925) (as "Shake That Thing")
Seymour Irick, t / Percy Glascoe, cl, as, ss / Lemuel Fowler, p / Richard Ward, d.
Recorded in New York, October 24, 1925
Released on Hamony 55-H
Listen here:
(c) Clarence Williams' Blue Five (1925) (as "Shake That Thing")
Eva Taylor (vocals)
Recorded on December 15, 1925 in New York City
Released on Okeh 8267
Listen here:
(c) Ethel Waters (1925) (as "Shake That Thing")
Acc. Pearl Wright (piano)
Recorded December 23, 1925 in New York City.
Released on Columbia 14116-D
Listen here:
(c) Abe Lyman's California Orchestra (1926) (as "Shake That Thing")
Recorded in Chicago, February 1, 1926
Released on Brunswick 3069-B
Listen here:
(c) Viola Bartlette (1926) (as "Shake That Thing")
Acc. probably Jimmy Blythe (piano)
Recorded March 1926 in Chicago, IL.
Released on Paramount 12345
Listen here:
(c) Jimmy O'Bryant's Famous Original Washboard Band (1926) (as "Shake That Thing")
Acc. Jimmy O'Bryant (clarinet), Jimmy Blythe (piano), W.E. Burton (washboard, banjo)
Recorded January 1926 in Chicago, IL.
Released on Paramount 12346
Listen here:
In 1926 Spencer Williams "wrote" "Georgia Grind" (not to be confused with the 1915 Fort Dabney song).
Spencer Williams' "Georgia Grind" has the same melody as "Shake That Thing" and floating lyrics:
Lyrics "Georgia Grind":
Papa, Papa, just look at Sis,
Out in the backyard shaking like this,
Doing that Georgia Grind, that old Georgia Grind.
Now everybody's talking about that old Georgia Grind.
I can shake it east. I can shake it west,
But way down south, I can shake it best,
Doing the Georgia Grind, I said, dirty Georgia Grind,
Now everybody's raving about that old Georgia Grind.
Come in here, gal. Come in here right now,
Out there trying to be bad and you don't know how,
Doing the Georgia Grind, oh, the Georgia Grind.
Everybody's trying to do the Georgia Grind.
Say Old Miss Jones was bent and gray,
Saw the Georgia Grind, threw her stick away.
She did the Georgia Grind. Yes, sir, she went crazy about the Georgia Grind.
You know one thing? Everybody's trying to do the Georgia Grind.
Louis Armstrong was the first artist to record "Georgia Grind"
(c) Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five (1926) (as "Georgia Grind")
Louis Armstrong, trumpet, vocal; Kid Ory, trombone; Johnny Dodds, clarinet;
Lil Armstrong, piano, vocal; Johnny St. Cyr, banjo
Recorded February 26, 1926 in Chicago
Released on Okeh 8318
Listen here:
Three months earlier, Armstrong had recorded a song, that also was very reminiscent of "Shake That Thing".--------> "Gut Bucket Blues"
Listen here:
(c) Duke Ellington's Washingtonians (1926) (as "Georgia Grind")
Recorded March 1926 in New York
Released on Pathe Actuelle 7504 and Perfect 104
Listen here:
(c) Caroline Johnson (1926) (as "Georgia Grind")
Recorded March 30, 1926 in New York
Released on Pathe Actuelle 7503 and Perfect 103
Listen here:
(c) Edmonia Henderson (1926)
Acc ao Jelly Roll Morton (piano)
Recorded July 21, 1926 in Chicago
Released on Vocalion 1043
Listen here:
(c) Thomas Morris and His Seven Hot Babies (1927) (as "Georgia Grind")
Recorded August 17, 1926 in New York
Released on Victor 20180
Listen here:
(c) State Street Ramblers (with Jimmy Blythe) (1931) (as "Georgia Grind")
(written ?/adapted by Walter Melrose)
Listen here:
(c) Blue Lu Barker (as "Georgia Grind")
With Danny Barker's Fly Cats
Recorded April 20, 1939
Released on Decca 7588
Listen here:
In 1928 Henry Williams and Eddie Anthony recorded "Georgia Crawl".
This song is a rendition of the popular "Georgia Grind", composed by jazz pianist Spencer Williams and first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1926.(SEE ABOVE)
(c) Henry Williams and Eddie Anthony (1928) (as "Georgia Crawl")
Henry Williams, vcl acc own gtr; Eddie Anthony, vcl acc own fdl
Recorded April 19, 1928 in Atlanta, GA.
Released on Columbia 14328-D
Lyrics "Georgia Crawl":
Come here papa, look at sis
Out in the backyard just shaking like this
Doin' the Georgia Crawl, oh Georgia Crawl
(You) don't need to buy a thing, do the Georgia Crawl
I can shake it east, shake it west
Way down south I can shake it the best
Doin' the Georgia Crawl, oh Georgia Crawl
(You) don't need to buy a thing, do the Georgia Crawl
Come in this house gal, come here right now
Out there trying to do the crawl and you don't know how
Doin' the Georgia Crawl, oh Georgia Crawl
(You) don't need to buy a thing, do the Georgia Crawl
Old Aunt Sally, old and gray
Doin' the Ga. Crawl til she died away
Doin' the Georgia Crawl, oh Georgia Crawl
(You) don't need to buy a thing, do the Georgia Crawl
Listen here:
In 1928 Tampa Red and Georgia Tom recorded "It's Tight Like That", recycling the basic framework of Papa Charlie Jackson's "Shake That Thing" and Spencer Williams "Georgia Grind".
(o): Tampa Red and Georgia Tom (1928) (as "It's Tight Like That")
Tampa Red, guitar and vocals / Georgia Thomas Dorsey, piano and vocals
Recorded October 24, 1928 in Chicago, IL
Released on Vocalion 1216
Lyrics "It's Tight Like That":
Listen here folks, gonna sing a little song
Don’t get mad, we don’t mean no harm
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
There was a little black rooster met a little brown hen
Made a date at the barn about half past ten
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
I went to see my gal, over ‘cross the hall
Found another mule kicking in my stall
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Well the gal I love, she’s long and slim
When she whip it, it’s too bad, Jim
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Well the rooster crowed and the hen looked ‘round
And the bum-bum billy got to carry me to town
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Mama had a dog, his name was Ball
If you give a little taste he’d want it all
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Solo
Uncle Bud and aunt Jane went to Chinkapin Run
Aunt Jane fell down and Uncle Bud ???
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
If you see my gal tell her to hurry home
I ain’t had no bread since she’s been gone
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
I wear my britches up above my knees
Strut my jelly with who I please
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Uncle Bill came home about a half past ten
Put the key in the hole but he couldn’t get in
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Me and my brother was up in the law
We seen Uncle Bill when he broke it all
You know, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum, oh, it’s tight like that, beedle-um-bum
Don’t you hear me talking to you, I mean it’s tight like that
Listen here:
2 weeks later Tampa Red re-recorded "It's Tight Like That" as a jug-band version
(c) Tampa Red's Hokum Jug Band (1928)
Recorded November 9, 1928 in Chicago, IL
Released on Vocalion 1228
Listen here:
(c) Jimmie Noone's Apex Club Orchestra (1928) (as "It's Tight Like That")
Recorded December 27, 1928 in Chicago, IL.
Released on Vocalion 1238-A
Listen here:
(c) Clara Smith (1929) (as "It's Tight Like That")
Recorded January 26, 1929 in New York
Accompanied by Charlie Green (trombone) and Porter Grainger (piano)
Released on Columbia 14398-D
Listen here:
(c) Leadbelly (1935) (as "Tight Like That")
Recorded February 1935 in Wilton, Conn. for the Library Of Congress
Listen here:
(c) Charles McCoy and Walter Vincent (1930) (as "It's Hot Like That")
Recorded February 1930 in Memphis, TN
Released on Brunswick 7156
Listen here:
2 years later Charlie McCoy was the first artist to record "Bottle It Up" (a variation of "It's Tight (Hot) Like That" melody (at a session where Tampa Red was present and he may even have accompanied Charlie McCoy).
(c) Papa Charlie McCoy (1932) (as "Bottle It Up")
Charlie McCoy: vocal and banjo/ Tampa Red or Kansas Joe: guitar
Recorded February 3, 1932 in New York City
I haven't heard this version yet, so I can't tell for sure if it's another variation of the song in this post. Who can help me out on this one.
The guys from the Memphis Jug Band (Will Shade, Charlie Burse, Jab Jones et al.) were the first to release "Bottle It Up And Go" in 1932 (released as Picaninny Jug Band and Dallas Jug Band).
(c) Picaninny Jug Band (1932) (as "Bottle It Up And Go")
Will Shade, h; Jab Jones, j; Charlie Burse, v/g; Vol Stevens, v/md; Otto Gilmore, d.
Recorded August 3, 1932 in Richmond, IND.
Released (as by Picaninny Jug Band) on Champion 16615
Reissued (as by Dallas Jug Band) on Varsity 6025
Lyrics "Bottle It Up And Go":
What makes my baby love her daddy so?
Somewhere down in San Diego.
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
I love my baby and she loves me too,
Don't [keep a price tag on what she might do]
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
Now I'm tellin' everybody in the neighborhood
(?????????) but she treat me good
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
Says looky here daddy don't do that no more
I got no (sense?) in the (?) that's all
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
Now looky here daddy, please don't get drunk,
When you come tonight your mamma'll pack your trunk
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
Now looky here mama I wish you'd tell me the truth
I got no rough stuff, I might get loose
You got to bottle it up and go, dee bee dum dum.
Bottle it up and go, dap dap do.
High powered Woman, your daddy got your water on.
Listen here:
In 1934 the Memphis Jug Band recorded a new version of "Bottle It Up And Go".
(c) Charlie Burse with Memphis Jug Band (1935)
Recorded November 7, 1934 in Chicago, IL.
Released on Vocalion 03080 and Okeh 8959
Here are the lyrics for that 1934 version of "Bottle It Up And Go".
I love my baby and she loves me too
Don't keep a [price] on what she do
Chorus:
We gotta bottle it up and go, ah bottle it up and go
Now high-powered mama, your daddy's got your water on.
I wanna tell everybody what it’s all about
She's low and squatty but she's built up stout
I don’t drink no whiskey, I’m hanging round your barrel
Can’t have no fun until I see that gal
I’m gonna tell my ma, what you told my pa
I wouldn’t say yes but I can’t say no
I just bought my baby a new V8
Step on the 'ccelerator don’t make me late
I’m gonna sing this song, ain’t gonna sing no more
Looky here baby I’m ready to go
Come in here momma, let me tell you the truth,
Don't start no rough stuff, I gotta get it loose
I’m gonna tell my baby for the last time
Well look here mama why don’t you take your time
Listen here:
Sonny Boy Williamson's "Got The Bottle Up And Gone" (1937) and Tommy McClennan's "Bottle It And Go" (1938) are surely derived from the Memphis Jug Band versions here above, they retain the "high powered Mama/women, daddy's (or papa's) got your water on" but use a bunch of different verses.
(c) John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson (1937) (as "Got The Bottle Up And Gone")
Williamson on vocal and harmonica accompanied by Big Joe Williams and Robert Lee McCoy (later known as Robert Nighthawk) on guitars.
Recorded May 5, 1937 in the Leland Hotel, Aurora, Ill.
Released on Bluebird B-7012.
Listen here:
(c) Charlie Burse and his Memphis Mudcats (1939) (as "Oil It Up And Go")
Not released at the time, but in 1991 it was released on this album
Listen here:
Or here:
(c) Tommy McClennan (1940) (as "Bottle it Up And Go")
Recorded November 22, 1939 in Chicago, IL.
Released on Bluebird B-8373
Lyrics for McClennan's version:
Listen here:
When McClennan re-recorded the song as "Shake It Up and Go" in 1942, he used different lyrics.
(c) Tommy McClennan (1942) (as "Shake It Up And Go")
Tommy McClennan: vocal and guitar/ Ransom Knowling: standing bass
Recorded February 20, 1942 in Chicago
Released on Bluebird BB 34-0716
Listen here:
On July 12, 1939 Blind Boy Fuller was recording for the Vocalion-label in Memphis, TN.
4 days earlier Charlie Burse and his Memphis Mudcats had recorded "Oil It Up And Go" on the same location.
Most likely J.B. Long, the manager of Blind Boy Fuller, had heard the Charlie Burse recording.
JB Long arranged that version and added a new refrain and also used some lyrics from Tampa Red and Georgia Tom's "It's Tight Like That" and retitled it "Step It Up And Go".
In Tampa Red and Georgia Tom's version it was:
Mama had a dog, his name was Ball
If you give a little taste he’d want it all
If you see my gal tell her to hurry home
I ain’t had no bread since she’s been gone
In Blind Boy Fuller's version it became:
Now, I've got a little gal whose name was Ball
Give a little bit and she took it all.
See my woman, tell her to hurry home.
Ain't had no lovin' since she been gone
Complete lyrics of Blind Boy Fuller's "Step It Up And Go":
(c) Blind Boy Fuller (1940) (as "Step It Up And Go")
Acc. Blind Boy Fuller, own guitar / Oh Red, washboard
Recorded March 5, 1940 in New York City
Released in 1940 on Vocalion 05476 and later on Okeh 05476 and in 1946 on Columbia 37230
Listen here:
In 1940 Johnny Temple recorded yet another variation of this song:
(c) Johnny Temple (1940) (as "Fix It Up And Go")
Recorded September 23, 1940 in New York
Released on Decca 7800
Listen here:
Or here:
(c) B.B. King (1952) (as "Shake It Up And Go")
Recorded January 8, 1951 at the Memphis Recording Services for Modern Records.
This version was titled "Shake It Up and Go", although King confuses himself by saying 'bottle up and go' half the time.
Listen here:
(c) Big John Greer (1953) (as "Bottle It Up And Go")
With Mickey Baker guitar, Sam "The Man" Taylor tenor sax and Kelly Owens piano.
"Written" by Robert Brown = Washboard Sam ?
Listen here:
During his career, John Lee Hooker recorded several adaptations of "Bottle Up and Go", usually varying the lyrics. It has been identified as "one of the templates on which a significant slice of Hooker's early repertoire is based". He first recorded a solo performance as "Bundle Up and Go" in 1959 for The Country Blues of John Lee Hooker album (Riverside).
(c) John Lee Hooker (1959) (as "Bundle Up And Go")
Listen here:
Around the same time, he recorded another version as "You Gotta Shake It Up and Go", which had a group arrangement (Galaxy 716).
Listen here:
Hooker's later versions are usually titled "Bottle Up and Go" and are included on the albums
(c) Everly Brothers (1962) (as "Step It Up And Go")
The Everly Brothers version was included on their album Instant Party (1962)
Listen here:
(c) An early incarnation of the Grateful Dead (Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir and Pigpen)
under the moniker of Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions recorded "Shake That Thing" in 1964.
It was finally released in 1999 on CD:
Listen here:
(c) Leon Redbone (1981) (as "Step It Up And Go")
Released on the album "From Branch To Branch"
Listen here:
(c) Bob Dylan (1992) (as "Step It Up And Go")
Bob Dylan's version is nearly word for word derived from Blind Boy Fuller's (or better J.B. Long's).
Listen here:
More versions here:
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