1. |
Mean ol' Mama
02:35
|
|||
Mean ol’ mama
What’s the problem
Why you mad at me
Is it cause I smashed your car
Stole all your cash
Crushed your heart in seconds flat
Babe, that ain’t that mean
Oh what a waste
We coulda’ had such better days
You had it made
Now you’re plottin’ your escape
So tell me darling dear
How come you choose to live in fear
I ain’t ever even let yah out the house but once a year
And I love you babe it’s true
But I gone and married your aunt Sue
Got a baby on the way
We’re naming after you
It’s such a shame
We could of laughed it all away
You had it made
So why the long-drawn face
You’re the luckiest girl in the whole wide world
(It’s true)
And sometimes I wonder
If I’m the one to blame-
On second thought-
Maybe not-
I’m your tender lovin’ man
Mean ol’ mama
What’s the problem
Why you mad at me
|
||||
2. |
Pearly Gates
01:53
|
|||
Belly up- ah babe, I barely- barely bust
I bet the farm I’d fall in love with you- ooo-ah-oo
But- lady luck, oh lord she likes it when she’s on top
But ain’t aboutah’ let her let me lose
Sleight of hand- oh heaven help me if you can
Them pearly gates- don’t play dem pranks on me- eee-he-eee
Oh- me oh my– I swear I saw, I saw a sign
A sign- it said someday you’d set me free- home free
Sure enough- you teasin’ me was all it took
It’s time I hitched my sights on something new- ooo-ah-oo
Oh- so I go- go knock on death’s front door
I hang my hat and lay right down- I do
Them pearly gates are pinin’ for a fool
|
||||
3. |
Jon Boy
03:49
|
|||
Only took ten years or so
To say goodbye the only way I know
Yet I’m still stuck, in shell shock, I write then I choke
And I wonder where you are and if you’re alone
Ah so gimme your gun, your dime bag of dope
Naw you ain’t the type, you’re no cutthroat
Oh we was just kids, what the hell do we know
Runnin’ all wild with nowhere to go
And I wished I’d ah been there, I’d bring yah home
Cause this cold town Chicago gon’ swallowed yah whole
Ah so gimme your gun, your dime bag of dope
Naw this ain’t no fun, the bottle done broke
It hurts my heart, hurts worse when they say
That now he can rest, he’s free from the pain
Well when yah rang ten years ago
I didn’t pick up, it still haunts my bones
For Hours and Ours amused
But 22’s too soon to…
Ah man oh man I miss that band
Ah so gimme your gun, your dime bag of dope
Naw this ain’t no fun, the bottle done broke
It hurts my heart, hurts worse when they say
That now he can rest, he’s free from the pain
But we all know Jon, and what he would say
“Just don’t make a fuss for me”
Only took till I got old
|
||||
4. |
||||
I swear I saw a sign- it said turn back
As we crept along- across the desert cracks
Ahh too late, too little time for a fond farewell
Heaven knows we ain’t howlin’ for a chance in hell
As I live and breathe-
I’m as dead as dead can be
My baby’s got a real mean streak
A hot mess- man she’s so scary
Someday she’s gonna bury me
She’s so dangerous, she’s so dog gone mean
Hoodwinked in the hotel suite
As we slipped undone, under the red satin sheet
And right then, she busts in blazing like a cop on TV
I bet she- I bet she wished she let that sucker bleed
As I live and breathe-
I’m as dead as dead can be
My baby’s got a real mean streak
A hot mess- man she’s so scary
Someday she’s gonna bury me
She’s so dangerous, she’s so dog gone mean
My baby’s got a real mean streak
A hot mess- man she’s so scary
Someday she’s gonna bury me
She’s so dangerous, I’m so two-timin’
My baby’s got a right to be
As mad as a mad can be
Dumb me- done the dirty deed
I’m so dim-witted, I’m so dog gone mean
|
||||
5. |
Numskull
03:08
|
|||
Naw sense in muckin’ my staunch reputation by
Concoctin’ fibs and fables, low down labels
Lotsa’ senseless lies
Oh so why, why me
Untie this twisted beast and see
Let’s kick this cold soul suckin’, long lost lovin’
Humdrum beat
Heaven knows it takes a heavy dose
To recognize our lord
The filth, the fear, the fall from grace
Sinkin’ teeth creep deep dark and wild
Killer cocaine keeps us inspired
Oh so stay for me
Let loose this wicked wretch and breath
Heaven knows it takes a heavy dose
To recognize our lord
The filth, the fear, the fall from grace
So slow your roll, steady as she goes
I’m goin’ out tonight
Out, so I
Grow the seeds we’ve sown
But this numskull needs to score
Heaven knows it takes a heavy dose
To recognize our lord
The filth, the fear, the fall from grace
Slow your roll, yah steady as she goes
I’m goin’ out tonight
To see if there’s a sign of life
|
||||
6. |
Gimme Darkness
03:16
|
|||
How come if yah cross your heart- yah hope to die
Oh- it don’t have to be such a tragedy- child
Cause yah come on up-
Raised right enough
Still always somethin’
Gon’ screw it up
So say your prayers
(Say your prayers)
Don’t dare despair
(Don’t despair)
Cause we gon’ raise-
Some Hell, best beware
(Best beware)
And while they bleed
(While they bleed)
Out in the street
(In the street)
Oh we must march till the tide tickles pink
(Judgement day)
Ah gimme Jesus, gimme a good kiss
Gimme somethin’ for nothin’ at all
Gimme this last dance, gimme darkness
Gimme a drink- I think I’ll buy the bar
Ahh bless your heart
(Bless your heart)
The naked part
(Naked part)
It still beats a dead horse
From the start
(From the start)
And bless your soul
(Bless your soul)
That ghost of old
(Ghost of old)
(Yet) In this world
It may still call you home
(Judgement day)
Ah gimme Jesus, gimme a good kiss
Gimme somethin’ for nothin’ at all
Gimme this last dance, gimme darkness
Gimme a drink- I think I’ll buy the bar
And gimme true love, gimme goosebumps
Gimme a gun, it’s so fun I could die
And gimme music, gimme madness
Gimme more and more, more- gimme more
But for the grace
(Of) old Red River
(Oooh)
Oh please lead us where we’re bound-
And we’ll walk (Walk)- side by side
(Side by side)
All so we don’t have to hide-
Cause we comin’ up
Raised tough enough
Still always somethin’
Gon’ screw it up
(Hey Bo Diddley)
Ah gimme Jesus, gimme a good kiss
Gimme somethin’ for nothin’ at all
Give me this last dance, gimme darkness
Gimme a drink- I think I’ll buy the bar
And gimme true love, gimme goosebumps
Gimme a gun, it’s so fun I could die
And gimme music, gimme madness
Gimme me more and more, more- gimme more
And gimme good times, gimme sunshine
Gimme bad vibes and break my poor heart
Gimme children, gimme more time
Gimme darkness- kiss darkness goodnight-
Cause we comin’ up
|
||||
7. |
Shinin' Light
01:50
|
|||
Sunshine, shine your light
Shine on where the wicked lie
Lead them to the light
Sunshine, shine your light
Sunshine, shine so bright
Shine until it’s quittin’ time
Tastes like Summertime
Sunshine, shine so bright
Moonshine, she’s alright
Knocks yah down in a knife fight
Keeps you warm at night
Moonshine, shine your light
|
||||
8. |
Lover
02:40
|
|||
It’s gonna hurt
But what it’s worth, it’s sure to heal
I’m tryin’ to tell yah this love’s real
So if yah see me makin’ more than my main move
It’s cause I’m comin’ after you
You-eee-ooo
I’m so in love with you
And I’mm-a cryin’ out loud baby
Stay stay stay
Then-a holdin’ my breath till ya
Say say say
“Okay, why not, what else am I gonna do”
My lover loves to play
But love ain’t a game
My lover loves to play
So why can’t I keep up, it’s only you
You-eee-ooo
It’s only fun for you
You didn’t wanna complicate
Coulda said that better baby cause I can’t escape
Do you remember our first date?
Outta nowhere came this big ol’ birthday cake
You laughing as they sang along
And right then I knew you’d be my favorite song
Cryin’ out loud baby
Hey hey hey
Take a chance on me and it
May may may
Be more than just a play on words
My lover loves to play
But love ain’t a game
My lover loves to play
My lover ain’t afraid
But love scares her straight
My lover, don’t wait
It’s gonna hurt
But what it’s worth, it’s sure to heal
I’m tryin’ to tell yah this love’s real
|
||||
9. |
Sick For You
03:21
|
|||
Ah yah- yuh know it ruined just bout everythin’
Yeah every dream dropped dead, smashed to smithereens
Oh it’s mad world mama, drunk on dry gin drama
At least we got eachotha’ uh huh
So with the whole world wasted- it’s a hit parade
I’ll probably pay my maker- make it go away
So long sailor- (parting is) such sweet sorrow
There ain’t no cure for this karma- c’mon
I’m so sick, sick for you
Sick, sick for you
Yeah- I’m sick, sick for you
Ah won’t you be, be sick too
Well we could spend our lives locked down inside
Yah we’ll ride that rodeo in our minds
And get stoned and chew- the fat with you
I’m sick, sick for you
I’m so sick, sick for you
Sick, sick for you
Yeah- I’m sick, sick for you
Ah won’t you be, be sick too
Ah now- yuh know ruined just bout everythin’
Yeah every dream dropped dead, smashed to smithereens
Oh it’s mad world mama, and I’m so sick of it
At least we got eachotha’ uh huh
I’m so sick, sick for you
Sick, sick for you
Yeah- I’m sick, sick for you
Ah won’t you be, be sick too
|
||||
10. |
Pink Dogwood
02:14
|
|||
I’ve been bad enough I’d bet my dime on dyin’
Didn’t see no sense in silver linin’
And when passin’ out felt more than fine
Pissed off friends and passed by prime
Who’d a’ thought I’d see the other side
And that’s partly why I’m plantin’ this here tree
A pink dogwood for my little ladies
Yeah I’ll treat it just as they treat me
Spring it from the fallen leaves
Grow it tall and let them roots dig deep
Well I might miss that mad dog now and then
But there ain’t no sense in wranglin’ the wind
So I slowed my roll, laid low, yuh know
It hurts to hear that rooster crow
But this sunrise is so beautiful
Them good ol’ gals gon’ got me goin’
Pink dogwood and dosey doein’
Lovin’ like no other knower knows
Like no other knows
And that’s partly why I’m plantin’ this here tree
|
||||
11. |
||||
Oh Ay Oh, so it goes
It’s goin’ down at the Dynamo
Oh getchyah’ gals groovin’ if the gettin’ good
Cause-ah’ mama ain’t-ah watchin’ like she knows she should
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
Ay Ya, Ay Ya Ya
Yah look a little lost, laissez les bon temps
Da’da’ dirty birdy feelin’ flirty, flick on dah funk
Cause dem jailbirds jammin’ down in Angola
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
Oh Mamou, Ooo Mawmaw
Ol’ Boozoo’s boppin’ at the ballroom bar
Sa-suckin’ down a swampy round gon’ getchyah’ goin’
Gon’ get along witchya’, want yah mojo jonesin’
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
Faisons la fete
Let’s let love loose tonight
|
||||
12. |
Blue So Blue
05:24
|
|||
I’m so blue, so blue
Can barely bear the news
It don’t make sense, I don’t know what to do
So sleep, sweet dreams
Ain’t enough we lost the king
Bestest friend and brother he’ll always be
So sing him home Marigny
(OH MARIGNY)
Oh sing home Mid-City
(OH MID-CITY)
Oh sing him home New Orleans
This old town we as thick as thieves
But this might be the bullet that buries me
Hurts so bad, but I know, he’d say let’s start the show
Baby, oh-oh
Pour one for us, save the rest for the soul
Ah so sudden to go
Still we all laughin’, lovin’ you so
So much, the swamp sank the smoke
Blue so blue
Time ticks on as time will do
Hearts hang heavy, but ours beat on for you
Ain’t ever be the same
Wish it weren’t ah thisah’ way
And I, I don’t have the strength
So good night, hit the light
Through thick and thin, until the end
Don’t let go
No-oh
Don’t
Go-oh
Pour one for us, save the rest for the soul
Ah so sudden to go
Still we all laughin’, lovin’ you so
Oh so sanguine, it shows
Back on Banks Street, they’re savin’ your seat
Oh so see you, God knows
I’ll keep ah callin’, callin’ ya home
I’ll call yah home, I’ll keepah’ callin’ you home
So sing him home Marigny
(OH MARIGNY)
Oh sing on home Mid-City
(OH MID-CITY)
Oh sing him home, New Orleans
(OH NEW ORLEANS)
|
||||
13. |
Sweet Tooth
04:28
|
|||
Oh I reckon it’s not
Not, not what yah think now
Don’t, stop, don’t cause a scene
Sick, you sick as a saint
Swallowed in sin
Spit out singin’
Can’t keep on
No, no, no I gotta get gone
Gotta get gone
You’s the same ol’ thing, I think I see
The vultures circle, oh lil ol’ me
Ah hoochie coochie koo, I guess it’s
Your sweet tooth
Ohhh I’m bettin’ it’s not
Not, not what yah need now
Done got, got good instinct
Star-crossed, it’s love or be lost now
Guess I’m good as gone
I can’t keep on
No, no, no I gotta get gone
Gotta get gone
You’s the same ol’ thing, I think I see
The vultures circle, oh lil ol’ me
Ah hoochie coochie koo, I guess it’s
My sweet tooth
|
||||
14. |
Kings County
03:19
|
|||
A drag or two will set the mood
Go n’ sit back baby, letchya’ blood run blue
A city so soft and numb can still come
Ah this life’s so lonely
Stuck in cold Kings County, c’mon
This ain’t the same as Texas Twang
Naw, no doll-faced daises on the South J train
A city so swooned it stunk up the block
Ah so low down lonely
Stuck in cold Kings County, c’mon
A swig to soothe and set the mood
Go n’ sit back baby- letchya’ blood get rude
A city so strange the sun don’t come up
Ah so low down lonely
Stuck in cold Kings County, c’mon
Yeah so low down lonely
Stuck in cold Kings County, c’mon
I’m so low down lonely
Stuck in cold Kings Count, c’mon
|
Yella Belly New York, New York
Equal parts Texas grit and New York grime, Yella Belly is a feeling set to a rebellious holler, a firecracker spark in a world on fire, a bunch of soft boys making mean music for a weird world.
Streaming and Download help
If you like Yella Belly, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp