I CAN'T USE THAT THING
As recorded by Connie McLean's Rhythm Boys, 1936.

[a] Say, boy, what's that thing you got there? A rug? (Yeah, a rug.)
How much you want for it? (Fifteen dollars.)
Fifteen dollars! (Yeah.)

[b] I can't use that thing. (Why you can't use it, man?)
I can't use that thing. (Why you can't use it?)
I wouldn't have that thing layin' around on my floor. (Play it, boy; play it.)

[a] Now you was here yesterday. (Yeah, I was.)
The day before? (That was me.)
You tried to get me to lay that same thing on my floor,

[b] But I can't use that thing. (Why you can't use it, man? Why you can't use it?)
I can't use that thing.
I wouldn't have that thing layin' around on my floor.
Now play it, Connie.

[a] Oh, what a pretty bed! (Yeah, it's a pretty bed.)
A pretty mattress. (Yeah, pretty mattress.)
What, no springs? (Yeah, no springs.)
No springs! (Nah, no springs.)

[b] I can't use that thing. (What's the matter with it, man?)
I can't use that thing. (It's all right, I think)
I wouldn't have that thing sittin' around on my floor.

[a] Now what's that man got over there on that wagon? Bananas? (Yeah, bananas.)
Bananas? (Yeah, bananas.)
Sure 'nough bananas? (Yeah, bananas.)

[b] Yes, I want that thing. (Yeah, you want that thing, didn't you?)
Yes, I want that thing. (That's a good thing, man.)
I will follow a banana man; I don't care wherever he goes.


[Parts labeled [a] are spoken over a vamp. Parts labeled [b] are sung, with a spoken response. In all cases, the responses are in parentheses; the other words are the lead singer's. Also, the spoken words are in italics; the rest are sung.]