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10 Mar 99 - 12:41 PM (#62245) Subject: Lyrics: Willie McTell song, Kill It Kid From: reggie miles I don't know if this is the proper forum for this. I checked the database and had no luck finding it there, only three of his songs listed. This was a song about a dance, I think. There's only one word I'm having difficulty with. Now I suppose I could just make up a word which may be what he did. The song is a bit fanciful. The idea of making up a word for a song is probably not out of the realm of the folk process and maybe I shouldn't even let this whole idea of not knowing one word in an entire song get to me. I remember an incident though when at a get together hosted by a musical acquaintance of mine. Musicians everywhere, they were coming out of the woodwork. Everyone was involved in an informal song circle/jam of sorts. My contribution was a version of a Willie Dixon song "Dead Presidents". After I finished the host told me that I had misquoted a word in the chorus. I remember feeling kind of embarrassed. It was an honest mistake on my part and the word that I had substituded was similiar in sound and meaning within the context of the song. So there I was surrounded by older more experienced musicians being corrected in front of them all. I guess the experience made me feel more determined to try to be more accurate about such things. I posted this once before and received no response, maybe this time. There's a verse in this song that begins, "Crazy 'bout yer lovin', fool about yer life, goin' 'round crazy 'bout yer _ "??? (That last word is where I lose it.) It sounds like "wapadoodoc", what ever that is. Are any of you Mudcats out there in cyberville into McTell and if so can you lend a helpin' keystroke to my plight. Thanks a bunch, Reggie |
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10 Mar 99 - 01:49 PM (#62260) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Willie McTell song, Kill It Kid From: RWilhelm Reggie, Great song! I think the line is "Crazy 'bout yer lovin', fool about yer lot, goin' plumb crazy 'bout the wobble you got." Don't let the bullies get you down. Try to be accurate but remember, it ain't scripture. Blues snobs can be really discouraging and downright mean. If you are ever in that situation again try to imagine what Muddy Waters might have said if one of these fools told him he was singing "Rollin' and Tumblin'" wrong. Then say the same thing. |
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11 Mar 99 - 02:28 AM (#62371) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Willie McTell song, Kill It Kid From: Rick Fielding Right on Earl. You got to Reggie before I did. If you're going to become determined about anything, make it never being as rude to someone in front of others as they were to you. Sounds like your choice of Willie MacTell, and Willie Dixon means your serious about what you do. Keep doin' it! |
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11 Mar 99 - 12:44 PM (#62443) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Willie McTell song, Kill It Kid From: reggie miles Earl and Rick, thanks for the encouragement. Earl once again thanks for your assistance with the lyrics. Reggie |
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13 Nov 05 - 07:35 PM (#1604128) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: Jim Dixon It's a shame when someone who knows a song discusses it here and never bothers to see that all the lyrics are posted. I see that Reggie Miles last posted in September, and Earl in August. It's also too bad that some people who have important knowledge to contribute come around here so seldom. I'll PM them and see if they'll finish the job. Meanwhile, the best I could do is listen to several sound samples and transcribe 4 verses. It's not complete, and furthermore, I think McTell recorded it more than once, and changed the lyrics somewhat. Some versions I heard were different but unintelligible. The version sung by Paul Geremia is posted here but it's quite different. "Let's kill it, kid" seems to mean "Let's dance." KILL-IT-KID RAG (incomplete) As sung by Blind Willie McTell Out in the alley and in the street All the gals and boys you meet CHORUS: You want to kill it, kid? Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. Sister Kate grabbed Brother Moore, Shoved her shimmy across the floor, etc. Put out the light 'bout half past one. We gonna dance from now till sun, etc. Ain't got no ma and ain't got no pa. Put out the lights and call the law, etc. |
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13 Nov 05 - 07:45 PM (#1604136) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: Peace There was a record released under the name Barrellhouse Sammy by Columbia. FYI. BHS was McTell. |
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13 Nov 05 - 07:48 PM (#1604140) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: Peace "Between 1937 and 1948 McTell made a living playing for tips in various cities across the Eastern seaboard rather than recording. In 1949 McTell went to Atlantic Records' studios in New York City, where Atlantic founder and blues enthusiast Ahmet Ertegun recognized him from records in his own collection. Atlantic released a single pairing two songs McTell recorded years earlier, "Kill It, Kid" and "Broke Down Engine Blues", under the name "Barrelhouse Sammy". Billboard's January, 1950 Rhythm and Blues Record Review column gave the disc a good review. The reviewer considered "Kill It, Kid", "an engaging, raggy blues...with vitality and humor and a jivey guitar accompaniment." "Broke Down Engine Blues" was considered "more conventional", possibly because the updated version is slower, more confident, and more haunting than the original version recorded over twenty years before." Sorry. Atlantic Records. |
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14 Nov 05 - 12:24 AM (#1604295) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: 12-stringer McTell recorded this 3 times in all -- for the LC (1940), for Atlantic (1949), and for an Atlanta record shop owner in a 1956 private session. Each of them is somewhat different from the others. Two versions (the first and last) are available here: http://www.juneberry78s.com/bluessounds/BluesByCD&Track.htm#MO14051 |
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14 Nov 05 - 02:36 PM (#1604834) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: Q (Frank Staplin) A fantastic collection here! Thanks, 12-stringer. |
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14 Nov 05 - 07:35 PM (#1605097) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: reggie miles Yikes! Where has that site been hiding?! Yes, thanks 12-stringer for the link to that wonderful listening room. Looks like I've got endless hours of listening ahead. |
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14 Nov 05 - 10:02 PM (#1605202) Subject: RE: Lyrics: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: iancarterb I heard Kill It Kid in 1963 or 64 on an album called Blind Willie's Last Tape, and although his 12 string playing may have had an even more hammer-to-the-head effect on me at than Huddie Ledbetter's playing (I was 20!), I never had the crust to try to sing any of it. Good on you for doing so! |
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14 Nov 05 - 10:47 PM (#1605218) Subject: Lyr Add: KILL-IT-KID RAG (Blind Willie McTell) From: Jim Dixon Hey, that Juneberry78s web site looks wonderful. I have bookmarked it and intend to go back there. Meantime, I've done my best trying to transcribe the two versions of KILL IT KID. Some lines don't make much sense. I hope others can correct what I've done wrong. Here's the first one: KILL-IT-KID RAG Blind Willie McTell 1. In Miami on old Sixth Avenue Whatever the men she went with, they can do About kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 2. Out in the alley and in the streets, All the gals and boys you meet, They want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. Yeah, kill it. 3. Sister Kate grabbed Brother Moore, Shoved her shimmy across the floor. They want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 4. Put out the light 'bout half past one. We gonna dance from now till sun. Kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 5. Ain't got no ma and ain't got no pa. Put out the lights and call the law. Want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. Yes, yes, yes. 6. Throw your hands way up high. Grab me, honey, and make me cry. We're gonna kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 7. People come from miles around. Come in money, want to break 'em down. I want to kill it, kid. Oh, baby, let's kill it, kid. 8. Yellow gal from East and Main, I know she'd kill that thing. She want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 9. Devil that's trouble ... Tell these Florida women how to Eagle Rock You want to kill it, kid. Oh, baby, let's kill it, kid. 10. All you gals on Sixth Avenue Show these Georgia women what they can do About kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 11. Throw your hands and hold me tight. We gonna kill it the rest o' the night. I want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 12. You can kill it with a Cadillac, kill it with a Ford. I believe she can kill it on a runnin' board. She want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. |
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14 Nov 05 - 10:50 PM (#1605221) Subject: Lyr Add: KILL IT KID (Blind Willie McTell) From: Jim Dixon KILL IT KID Blind Willie McTell 1. Down in Miami on Second Avenue Men showin' boys and gals what they can do About kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 2. Down on the avenue in ... Hall You'll find Kelly is the king of the ball. Take it easy. You got to teach 'im how to kill it, kid. 3. You know, Sister Kate took brother Mo', Bounced him around across the flo', Tryin' to kill it, kid, Tryin' to teach him how to kill it, kid. 4. Set down, gal. Take a drink of this pint. Kelly be here, directly, kick the j'int. He gon' kill it, kid, Take the flo' an' kill it, kid. 5. [Repeat 4. I suspect this was a mistake by McTell.] 6. But you can kick it in the country, it won't cost you a dime, But get in town, Bud, it's a forty-dollar fine. Kill it, kid. Get out o' town to kill it, kid. 7. Papa got a Cadillac. Mama got a Buick. Sister got mad cause she wouldn't do it. Kill it, kid. Hot mama, kill it, kid. 8. She want to shake it in the Cadillac, rock it in the Ford, Do the right jumpin' on the runnin' board. Right hard. Don't jump. Kill it, kid. 9. I realize you a little old and up in years. Lotsa old gals shift them gears, On wheels. Quit turnin' an' kill it, kid. 10. You know, I'm crazy 'bout your lovin', fool about your lot, Goin' plumb crazy 'bout the wobble you got. Quit switchin'. Don't shimmy. Kill it, kid. 11. Take that trip over to Modern Top. Show these Florida women how to eagle rock. Spread your wings. Don't flop. Kill it, kid. 12. You got to dodge your ma, dodge your pa, Go to Florida and dodge the Georgia law, Then you kill it, kid. Down there you can kill it, kid. 13. Sit in the corner, gal. Make some toddy. We gonna get high and drunk ever'body. Then we gonna kill it, kid. Get loaded. Kill it, kid. 14. You don't believe I'll swing you right. Take me to your ... thing all night, Round the table. Get mellow. Kill it, kid. 15. Now, you gonna twist it like a tadpole, wobble like a frog. Ever' time I kick it, you'll holler, "God Dawg!" Kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's— |
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15 Nov 05 - 12:41 AM (#1605267) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: 12-stringer KILL-IT-KID RAG Blind Willie McTell I hear some of these a little differently, noted in italics. The "eagle rock" verse is frequent in McTell's rags. A verse or two are also found in McTell's "Georgia Rag." "Eastern Maine" could just as well be "East and Main." Included are two couplets that McTell speaks, rather than sings, while picking. 1. In Miami on old Sixth Avenue Whatever the men she went with, they can do Women and men showin' what they can do About kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 2. Out in the alley and in the streets, All the gals and boys you meet, They want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. Yeah, kill it. 3. Sister Kate grabbed Brother Moore, Shoved her shimmy across the floor. They want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 4. Put out the light 'bout half past one. We gonna dance from now till sun. We gonna dance till another sun Kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 5. Ain't got no ma and ain't got no pa. Put out the lights and call the law. Want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. Yes, yes, yes. Spoken, not sung: Bring me another half pint of gin Then we'll go back honey we'll dance again 6. Throw your hands way up high. Grab me, honey, and make me cry. We're gonna kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 7. People come from miles around. Come in money, want to break 'em down. Come in Miami to break 'em down I want to kill it, kid. Oh, baby, let's kill it, kid. 8. Yellow gal from East and Main, I know she'd kill that thing. Here's a gal from eastern Maine Why don't she kill that thing? She want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 9. Devil that's trouble ... Tell these Florida women how to Eagle Rock Take a little trip on the mountain top Show these Florida women how to eagle rock You want to kill it, kid. Oh, baby, let's kill it, kid. 10. All you gals on Sixth Avenue Show these Georgia women what they can do About kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. spoken, not sung, over guitar part Come on gal you can't be my boss [? broad?] Just got back from way up north I want to kill it kid 11. Throw your hands and hold me tight. We gonna kill it the rest o' the night. I want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. 12. You can kill it with a Cadillac, kill it with a Ford. I believe she can kill it on a runnin' board. She want to kill it, kid. Hot mama, let's kill it, kid. |
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15 Nov 05 - 01:13 AM (#1605273) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kill It Kid (Blind Willie McTell) From: 12-stringer 2. Down on the avenue in ... Hall sounds exactly, to me, like "Kayfield" -- it might have some Miami significance You'll find Kelly is the king of the ball. "Kelly" should be "Killer", I believe; "You'll find Killer you're the king of the ball" Take it easy. You got to teach 'im how to kill it, kid. 14. You don't believe I'll swing you right. Take me to your ... thing all night, "Take me to your castle, let's think all night" is all I can hear in this line Round the table. Get mellow. Kill it, kid. The 78s site was posted by some angel in human form, here at Mudcat, probably in June '05, as that's the date on my earliest downloads and I went there as soon as I saw the clicky. It replaces an older site called Norms78s.com. The Roots Music Listening Room dates probably from 30 July, again the date of my earliest downloads (don't want to say how many MB I've saved from this site, but I had to buy a bigger hard drive last week). I suspect that was the day it went up, as many of the links were not yet active while I was scrolling slack-jawed through the title lists. I have a large vinyl and cassette collection but nothing currently on which to play them, so this was definitely Xmas in July for me. |