Bessie Smith - Whoa, Tillie, Take Your Time

Copied!

Tillie Brown was a dancing fool
Spent her time in a dancing school
When the band would play
Tillie would start right in to sway

First one out on the ballroom floor
She never got enough, she just craved for more
When she start to sway
All the girls and boys would say

Whoa, Tillie, take your time
Whoa, Tillie, take your time
There ain't no use to hurrying 'cause you wanna prance
You've got all night to do that dance

Whoa, Tillie, lay 'em down
Whoa, Tillie Brown
You don't know what to shake when you shake
What to break
Whoa, Tillie, take your time

Whoa, Tillie, take your time
Whoa, Tillie, take your time
There ain't no use to hurrying 'cause you wanna prance
Look out there, Tillie, you've got all night to do that dance

Whoa, Tillie, lay 'em down
Whoa, Tillie, Tillie Brown
You don't know what to shake when you shake
What to break
Whoa, Tillie, take your time

SoundCloud:

edit soundcloud

YouTube:

edit video

Comments: 0

More Bessie Smith lyrics

Bessie Smith

edit foto

The meaning of the song

edit description

Biography

edit bio

Bessie Smith, born in 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is renowned as “The Empress of Blues,” a title befitting her unparalleled talent and influence in the world of music. With her powerful voice and emotive delivery, she became one of the most celebrated vocalists of the 1900s.

In 1922, Smith signed a recording contract with Columbia Records, a groundbreaking achievement for Black musicians at the time. This marked the beginning of her rise to fame and success, as she became one of the highest-paid Black performers of her era. Throughout her career, she recorded numerous blues songs that showcased her exceptional vocal range and emotional depth.

Smith's unique vocal style had a profound impact on later jazz musicians, who drew inspiration from her expressive growls and soulful delivery. Despite facing challenges and discrimination as a Black woman in the music industry, Smith's talent and resilience shone through in her music, earning her a lasting legacy.

In addition to her musical contributions, Smith's personal life has also been a subject of interest and speculation. Rumored to be bisexual, she lived unapologetically and authentically, paving the way for future generations of LGBTQ+ artists. Her influence extended beyond her own time, as singers like Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, and Janis Joplin cited her as a primary influence on their music.

Tragically, Smith's life was cut short in 1937 following complications from a car accident. Despite her untimely death, her impact on the music world continues to be felt to this day. Her story has been immortalized in various forms of media, including film, television, and books, ensuring that her legacy as a pioneering and influential musician lives on for generations to come.