Lyr Add: Diddie Wah Diddie (Blind Blake)

Subject: Lyr Add: DIDDY WAH DIDDY WITH A BLAH BLAH (Dexter)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Feb 18 - 12:58 PM

A variation on Blind Blake's song, with floater verses added:

DIDDY WAH DIDDY WITH A BLAH BLAH
As recorded by Al Dexter and His Troopers, 1939.

There's a great big mystery.
Lordy, how it worries me!
Mister Diddy Wah Diddy with a blah blah,
Diddy Wah Diddy with a blah blah.
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

Said the great big mosquito to the little bitty flea:
If you love me, let me know it, 'cause I'm goin' to dee(?)
With a diddy wah diddy and a blah blah,
Diddy wah diddy and a blah blah.
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

Two old maids at the county fair:
One says "Look!" and the other says "Where?"
At the diddy wah diddy with a blah blah,
Diddy wah diddy with a blah blah.
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

I'm hot enough to bake, hot enough to boil.
I'm a hot-steppin' daddy and I got it all,
With a diddy wah diddy and a blah blah,
Diddy wah diddy and a blah blah.
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

[unintelligible line]
I'm heavy overloaded and I done popped off,
With a diddy wah diddy and a blah blah,
Diddy wah diddy and a blah blah.
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

I'm hot in the country, hot in town,
Sweat rollin' off from my head on down
To my diddy wah diddy with a blah blah,
Diddy wah diddy with a blah blah,
Won't somebody please tell me what diddy wah diddy means?

[Al Dexter's big hit was "PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA."]

Subject: Lyr Add: DIDDY WAH DIDDY (Bo Diddley)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Feb 18 - 07:24 AM

Here's the other song with a similar title. Note the difference in spelling. To add to the confusion, cover versions of Blind Blake's song are often called "Diddy Wah Diddy."

DIDDY WAH DIDDY
Written by Willie Dixon and Elias Daniel [Bo Diddley].
As recorded by Bo Diddley 1955, released 1956.

I got a gal in Diddy Wah Diddy.
[It] ain't a town and it ain't no city.
She love a man till it's a pity.
[I'm] crazy for my gal in Diddy Wah Diddy.

This little girl's sweet as she can be,
And I know she's in love with me.
[My] love is deep; she's so pretty,
But she live way down in Diddy Wah Diddy.

[It] ain't a town and it ain't no city,
But oh, how they love in Diddy Wah Diddy!

She kissed me all the time.
She started drivin' me out o' my mind.
Anything [or "ain't a thing"?] she says she's ready,
[I'm] headed right back to Diddy Wah Diddy.

[It] ain't a town and it ain't no city,
But oh, how they love in Diddy Wah Diddy!

[Throughout this song, there are background singers singing "Diddy Wah!" and "Diddy Wah Diddy."]

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:40 AM

A true story: Back in high school, I was the copy editor of the high school newspaper, responsible for making sure that all the submitted text made sense and was spelled correctly. Someone submitted an article titled "Diddy Wah Diddy." Was it spelled correctly? I'd never seen those words before. They made no sense to me. So I asked the question: "What does Diddy Wah Diddy mean?" I was bewildered, and all I received were nods that, in retrospect, probably meant they thought I recognized the quote. But I will admit (publicly for the first time in my life) that I was actually clueless at the time.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: GUEST,Frankie
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 07:54 AM

dwditty, that Cooder/Hines collaboration is a gem of musical history. They play it so beautifully together. A Woody Mann transcription of Blind Blake's "Diddie Wah Diddie" appeared in Acoustic Guitar mag a few years back, anyone interested might check out their website.

F

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 10:26 PM

What a great Sub-text to this one. Or rather what a great almost sub-text. I do wish some one WOULD tell me what Ditty Wah Ditty means???????? Do we think it's male or female in background.{ Sorry}.. What do we think??? Anyone??? Allthe best, Guy

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: RWilhelm
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 01:56 PM

"Hat" is what I hear too.

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: dwditty
Date: 04 Feb 00 - 01:55 PM

The Ry Cooder version is particularly good with Earl "Fatha" Hines on piano - the most amazing hands I've ever seen.

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 03 Feb 00 - 10:02 PM

Surely the line goes "Went to church put my HAT on the seat" ? Not "Put my hand ....". Doesn't make much sense otherwise.

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: weststar
Date: 03 Feb 00 - 12:57 AM

Ry Cooder-"Paradise and Lunch" great version great guitar

Written by Art Blake.

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: RWilhelm
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 12:27 PM

Richie the Guest, The song you are thinking of was written by Bo Diddley and Willie Dixon and recorded by Bo in the 50's. It was covered a coule of times by white bands in the 60's. Same title as Blind Blake's song but completely different.

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: GUEST,Ritchie the guest
Date: 31 Jan 00 - 07:00 AM

I think there is another Diddy wah diddy which perhaps was an old blues song by Capt.Beefheart.Something about a girl in the city who goes by the name of 'Diddy wah Diddy..

Diddy Wha.... p.s Wyo Woman I'll be in touch !

Ritchie the Guest

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 31 Jan 00 - 03:49 AM

Great, saved me posting it. I have the Blind Blake and Leon Redbone versions but couldn't find it among my Blues Band records. The Leon Redbone is mainly scat singing after verse two.
RtS

Subject: Lyr Add: DIDDIE WAH DIDDIE (Blind Blake)
From: Fortunato
Date: 28 Jan 00 - 11:34 AM

DIDDIE WAH DIDDIE
As recorded by Blind Blake [Arthur Blake] in 1929.

There's a great big mystery
And it sure is worrying me:
This diddie wah diddie,
This diddie wah diddie.
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

Some little girl 'bout four feet four:
"Come on, papa, and give me some more
Of your diddie wah diddie,
Your diddie wah diddie."
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

I went out and walked aroun'.
Somebody yelled: "Say, look who's in town:
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie,
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie.
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

Went to church, put my hat on a seat,
Lady set on it, said: "Daddy, you sure is sweet,
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie,
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie."
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

I said: "Sister, I'll soon be gone.
Just gi' me that thing you' settin' on:
My diddie wah diddie,
My diddie wah diddie.
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

Then I got put out of church
'Cause I talk about diddie wah diddie too much,
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie,
Mister Diddie Wah Diddie.
I wish somebody would tell me what "diddie wah diddie" means.

cheers, Fortunato

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 28 Jan 00 - 09:06 AM

PS just opened package containing a Leon Redbone Cd among others which also has this on. No words in the notes though so I might have 2 versions by Monday (or not!)
RtS

Subject: RE: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 28 Jan 00 - 08:32 AM

I have this record, I may be able to transcribe it over the weekend if no-one beats me to it.
RtS

Subject: Diddy-Wah-Diddy
From:
Date: 28 Jan 00 - 08:26 AM

Any o' you guys out there gotta handle on this one. It's kinda UK, as am I, but I can't find lyrics for it anywhere on the www.

It is a Paul Jones / The Blues Band song and I want the lyrics so's I can help out a duo I know.

Al