Billie Holiday — Gimmie a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of Beer)
Album: From the Original Decca MastersAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 593
Length: 2:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
Up in Harlem every Saturday night
Where the highbrows get together
It's just too right
They all congregate and all night hop
And what they do is Ooh boppa dap
Ole Hammer Brown from way across town
Gets full of corn and starts
Bringing them down
And at the break of day
You can hear ole Hammer say
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Send me a gate I don't care
feel just like I wanna clown
Give the piano player a drink
Because he's bringing me down
He's got rhythm yeah, when he stomps his feet
He sends me right off to sleep
Check all your razors and all your guns
We're gonna be arrested when the wagon comes
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Send me cause I don't care
I want a pigfoot and a bottle of gin
Send me daddy move right in
I feel just like I wanna shout
Give the piano player a drink
Because he's knocking me out
He's got rhythm when he stomps his feet
He moves me right off to sleep
Check all your razors and your guns
Do the hucklebuckle to the rising sun
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of gin
Move me, 'cause I'm in my sin
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Where the highbrows get together
It's just too right
They all congregate and all night hop
And what they do is Ooh boppa dap
Ole Hammer Brown from way across town
Gets full of corn and starts
Bringing them down
And at the break of day
You can hear ole Hammer say
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Send me a gate I don't care
feel just like I wanna clown
Give the piano player a drink
Because he's bringing me down
He's got rhythm yeah, when he stomps his feet
He sends me right off to sleep
Check all your razors and all your guns
We're gonna be arrested when the wagon comes
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Send me cause I don't care
I want a pigfoot and a bottle of gin
Send me daddy move right in
I feel just like I wanna shout
Give the piano player a drink
Because he's knocking me out
He's got rhythm when he stomps his feet
He moves me right off to sleep
Check all your razors and your guns
Do the hucklebuckle to the rising sun
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of gin
Move me, 'cause I'm in my sin
Gimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer
Comments (65)add comment
Otomi wrote:
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
Always found it strange that Cassandra isn't on frequent rotation here. She's done a lot of stellar work and feels like a fit.
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
Always found it strange that Cassandra isn't on frequent rotation here. She's done a lot of stellar work and feels like a fit.
Otomi wrote:
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
Yeah...quite struggling to see why people like this...it feels lifeless compared to other covers of it...Cleo Laine, for one...anyway...yay, Billy, just to fit in and not get flamed.
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
Yeah...quite struggling to see why people like this...it feels lifeless compared to other covers of it...Cleo Laine, for one...anyway...yay, Billy, just to fit in and not get flamed.
Krakus wrote:
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
No such talent today, unfortunately :(
Try Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hope Waits, and Melody Gardot, just to name four of my favorite contemporary female jazz vocalists, and I'll second andreicio's recommendation of Madeleine Peyroux.
Krakus wrote:
How about Ms Madeleine Peyroux? Not the same level, but definitely good and in the same style.
No such talent today, unfortunately :(
How about Ms Madeleine Peyroux? Not the same level, but definitely good and in the same style.
No such talent today, unfortunately :(
a one
Ah! Sweet songs!
Horns are WAILING! Gotta find me a pigfoot so I can be as cool as Billie ....
for fredriley: Note that she explicitly requires you to "check all your razors and your guns." Even back then, the USA was a mighty dangerous place! 
Used to hear this one on Dr. Demento.
My folks went to see Billie Holiday live @ some skeevy joint in Hyde Park, Chicago when I was 2 years old.
Left me with a babysitter.
I'm still trying to forgive them.
Left me with a babysitter.
I'm still trying to forgive them.
Gimmie a bottle of beer (hold the pigfoot).
bb_matt wrote:
Everyone in my church loves pigfoot.
Evwrybdy inmy churcc lovs beer!!
Everyone in my church loves pigfoot.
Evwrybdy inmy churcc lovs beer!!
Lazarus wrote:
Everybody in my church loves this song...
Everyone in my church loves pigfoot.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
Everyone in my church loves pigfoot.
Everybody in my church loves this song...
Yup, the good stuff knew what it was doing, knows how to stick around — and knows how to come back...TIMELESS BRILLIANCE!
When I hear Billie Holiday I think of Fallout 3
I love this old jazz. Billie was great, but Ella was the best!
finoufk wrote:
same to me. Borring.....she sings with her noze....and the horns are so old fasionned...
I love those old fashioned horns and Billie's singing style. It's pure distilled class!
same to me. Borring.....she sings with her noze....and the horns are so old fasionned...
I love those old fashioned horns and Billie's singing style. It's pure distilled class!
What a sound!
finoufk wrote:
Old fashioned? Almost as though it was recorded, what, 70 years ago? Go figure.
(You may also be astounded to discover that Beethoven rarely used electric guitars in his compositions.)
Borring.....she sings with her noze....and the horns are so old fasionned...
Old fashioned? Almost as though it was recorded, what, 70 years ago? Go figure.
(You may also be astounded to discover that Beethoven rarely used electric guitars in his compositions.)
Stingray wrote:
same to me. Borring.....she sings with her noze....and the horns are so old fasionned...
I assume it's a sacrileg,...still,
this music does nothing for me!
AAAAT ALL!
this music does nothing for me!
AAAAT ALL!
same to me. Borring.....she sings with her noze....and the horns are so old fasionned...
leathepea wrote:
Depends on how the feet are prepared.
Love the music, hate pig's feet.
Depends on how the feet are prepared.
Love the music, hate pig's feet.
Billie is awsome!! I love this
I assume it's a sacrileg,...still,
this music does nothing for me!
AAAAT ALL!
this music does nothing for me!
AAAAT ALL!
Dr. Demento use to play this, way back in the day.
EssexTex wrote:
a pig foot and a bottle of beer ...strange..that's exactly what I had for lunch.
And very tasty it was too.
No doubt, but how did you go back to work? ziggytrix: Nothin' yucky about the pigfoot in this song! And very tasty it was too.
Today's musical lineup has been very original - a wonderful mix of old, new and newer. Thanks RP!
Love this song; though I prefer the original version sung by Miss Bessie Smith.
vit wrote:
Just listened to Simone and Bessie Smith do this on YouTube. I'd say Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith sing it like it's the beginning of the night and Simone, well, it's getting pretty late. And ah I mean that in a most complimentary way (looks over shoulder for a Nina zombie with a gat)
But, erm this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZrp_xwBv0 pretty much sums up what's wrong with the world. OK, this is just wrong. How could you direct anyone to this link? Evil vit.
Just listened to Simone and Bessie Smith do this on YouTube. I'd say Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith sing it like it's the beginning of the night and Simone, well, it's getting pretty late. And ah I mean that in a most complimentary way (looks over shoulder for a Nina zombie with a gat)
But, erm this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZrp_xwBv0 pretty much sums up what's wrong with the world.
cc_rider wrote:
Oh, I have no doubt Ms. Simone would open up a can on a disser. I don't think this song is really her style either. Although to be fair, she could sing ANYTHING well, and would've torn this one up too. I think of her differently than Bessie, Willie Mae, and Mildred though: she had a FAR wider musical range than they did.
c.
Just listened to Simone and Bessie Smith do this on YouTube. I'd say Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith sing it like it's the beginning of the night and Simone, well, it's getting pretty late. And ah I mean that in a most complimentary way (looks over shoulder for a Nina zombie with a gat)
But, erm this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZrp_xwBv0 pretty much sums up what's wrong with the world.
Oh, I have no doubt Ms. Simone would open up a can on a disser. I don't think this song is really her style either. Although to be fair, she could sing ANYTHING well, and would've torn this one up too. I think of her differently than Bessie, Willie Mae, and Mildred though: she had a FAR wider musical range than they did.
c.
Just listened to Simone and Bessie Smith do this on YouTube. I'd say Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith sing it like it's the beginning of the night and Simone, well, it's getting pretty late. And ah I mean that in a most complimentary way (looks over shoulder for a Nina zombie with a gat)
But, erm this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTZrp_xwBv0 pretty much sums up what's wrong with the world.
vit wrote:
Dude dis Nina Simone like that and she'll come back from the other side and shoot ya.
Oh, I have no doubt Ms. Simone would open up a can on a disser. I don't think this song is really her style either. Although to be fair, she could sing ANYTHING well, and would've torn this one up too. I think of her differently than Bessie, Willie Mae, and Mildred though: she had a FAR wider musical range than they did.
c.
Dude dis Nina Simone like that and she'll come back from the other side and shoot ya.
Oh, I have no doubt Ms. Simone would open up a can on a disser. I don't think this song is really her style either. Although to be fair, she could sing ANYTHING well, and would've torn this one up too. I think of her differently than Bessie, Willie Mae, and Mildred though: she had a FAR wider musical range than they did.
c.
can't rate miss Billie under 10.
never
never
prickelpit96 wrote:
No Habla?
Like Bruce Willis in Fifth Element:
I speak two languages. . .English, and bad English.
Not for lack of trying either. spanish just wouldn't stick when I tried to pick it up.
(ps, )
I'm just making fun of my personal ignorance folks
don't take anything more away from it than that.
You know the difference between FRENCH and GERMAN?
No Habla?
Like Bruce Willis in Fifth Element:
I speak two languages. . .English, and bad English.
Not for lack of trying either. spanish just wouldn't stick when I tried to pick it up.
(ps, )
I'm just making fun of my personal ignorance folks
don't take anything more away from it than that.
Billie Holiday's voice makes my toes curl.
vit wrote:
Dude dis Nina Simone like that and she'll come back from the other side and shoot ya.
Dude dis Nina Simone like that and she'll come back from the other side and shoot ya.
cc_rider wrote:
Seconded. This tune is not Ms. Holiday's style. It's cool she did it and all, but it's not one of her better moments. Ms. Smith, Ms. Thornton, and Ms. Bailey are far better suited for this tune.
xoxox,
c.
Dude dis Nina Simone like that and she'll come back from the other side and shoot ya.
Sorry, I can't hear this without thinking about the movie "Friday" and the dad on there...
"I like pig's feet!"
">
">
a pig foot and a bottle of beer ...strange..that's exactly what I had for lunch.
And very tasty it was too.
Buzzardcheater wrote:
While I'm pretty passionate about Billie (to hear her singing "God Bless the Child" is to be in heaven and hell at the same time), Bessie Smith is the only one that can really pull this song off.... just imagine big ole Bessie leaning on a bar and shouting it out... oh yeah.
Buzzardcheater
Seconded. This tune is not Ms. Holiday's style. It's cool she did it and all, but it's not one of her better moments. Ms. Smith, Ms. Thornton, and Ms. Bailey are far better suited for this tune.
xoxox,
c.
love you Lady Day, but you can have that yucky pigfoot!
jpfueler wrote:
I think I agree...but no sprechen Sie Deutsches (~_^)
You know the difference between FRENCH and GERMAN?
pierpod wrote:
La voix de Billy Holliday resteras une des plus marquante , et des plus douce de tous les artistes de Jazz.
I think I agree...but no sprechen Sie Deutsches (~_^)
One of the first songs I heard on RP way back when. Good selection.
La voix de Billy Holliday resteras une des plus marquante , et des plus douce de tous les artistes de Jazz.
My grandfather used to eat pickled pigs feet... I'll just take the beer thank you very much :)
Damn, this song makes me feel drunk and it's 7:30 am with a good slug of coffee in me. I think only Tom Waits could equal this song for sheer booziness.
Sorry, can't get into this old stuff.
Wow, no plays in 3.5 years? Nice to hear this
Another nice choice :)
:? 
god bless the billie..... 
nice, this is going well with my coffee this morning.
Originally Posted by riffster:
Billie is one of the most wondrous singers to have ever graced this planet. Those of you who can't past labels to see that are losing out bigtime.
- Riff
That what I like to hear--preemptive defensiveness. 
While I\'m pretty passionate about Billie (to hear her singing \"God Bless the Child\" is to be in heaven and hell at the same time), Bessie Smith is the only one that can really pull this song off.... just imagine big ole Bessie leaning on a bar and shouting it out... oh yeah.
Buzzardcheater
Billie is one of the most wondrous singers to have ever graced this planet. Those of you who can\'t past labels to see that are losing out bigtime.
Keep playing Lady Day Bill - her passionate and spirited musical art will still be in style when many, if not most, of the artists heard today are long forgotten.
- Riff
I will stay at 7 but a STRONG 7 saving 8 and up for even better