Retro Music 62

~ beetleypete

I am going all the way back to 1946 with this choice, which was a hit six years before I was born. But when I was a child, it was still played by my parents, and was also popular at family parties for dancing. It has many fond memories for me.

Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as “the King of the Jukebox”, he earned his highest profile towards the end of the swing era. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an “early influence” in 1987.

Jordan ranks fifth in the list of the most successful African-American recording artists according to Joel Whitburn’s analysis of Billboard magazine’s R&B chart, and was the most popular rhythm and blues artist with his “jump blues” recordings of the pre-rock n’ roll era.

Headin’ for the station with a pack on my back
I’m tired of transportation in the back of a hack
I love to hear the rhythm of the clickety-clack
And hear the lonesome whistle, see the smoke from the stack
And pal around with democratic fellas named Mac
So take me right back to the track, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
You reach your destination, but alas and alack
You need some compensation to get back in the black
You take a morning paper from the top of the stack
And read the situations from the front to the back
The only job that’s open needs a man with a knack
So put it right back in the rack, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Gonna settle down by the railroad track
Live the life of Riley in the beaten down shack
So when I hear a whistle, I can peep through the crack
And watch the train a-rollin’ when it’s ballin’ the jack
Well, I just love the rhythm of the clickety-clack
So take me right back to the track, Jack
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Woo-woo, woo-woo ch’boogie
Choo-choo, choo-choo ch’boogie
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Take me right back to the track, Jack
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Milt Gabler / Denver Darling / Vaughn Horton
Choo Choo Ch’Boogie lyrics © Rytvoc Inc., Rytvoc, Inc.

32 thoughts on “Retro Music 62”

  6. i still hear this song today, both live & on my fav ‘Magic Radio’ – with few ads & solid 50s 60s music, with some classics either side. When this on, volume goes up, var pedals & steering wheel shake

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Pingback: Retro Music 62 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News
  11. Pingback: Retro Music 62 | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  15. How very much music has changed over the years. What is it in society that accounts for such drastic differences in taste. This sound brings up the image of the ’40’s right away. Jazz seems not so popular now ? I actually never cared for it. For some reason it grates on my nerves. Perhaps an association.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I doubt Jazz fans would think of this as Jazz. It is regarded as Rhythm and Blues, sub-genre Boogie Woogie. I do like many slightly more modern Jazz musicians though, especially Miles Davis and Chet Baker.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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