Willie and the Hand Jive

George Thorogood

About Willie and the Hand Jive

"Willie and the Hand Jive" is a song written by Johnny Otis and originally released as a single in 1958 by Johnny Otis, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #5 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song has a Bo Diddley beat and was partly inspired by the music sung by a chain gang Otis heard while he was touring. The lyrics are about a man who became famous for doing a dance with his hands, but the song has been accused of glorifying masturbation, though Otis has always denied it. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including The Strangeloves, Eric Clapton, Cliff Richard, Kim Carnes, George Thorogood and The Grateful Dead. Clapton's 1974 version was also released as a single and also reached the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #26. Thorogood's 1985 version reached #25 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. 


Year:
2005
4:05
55 
#1

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I know a cat named Way-out Willie
He's got a groovy little chick named Rocking' Lily
Yeah, rock and rolling Suzie Q
Do that crazy old hand jive, too

Mama, mama, look at Sister Flo
Doing that hand jive with Uncle Joe
When I gave little sister a dime
I said do that hand jive one more time

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

A doctor, a lawyer and an Indian Chief
They all dig that Diddley beat
Way-out Willie gave them all a treat
When he did that hand jive with his feet

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Papa told Willie, you'll ruin my home
You and that hand jive have got to go
Willie told Papa, don't you put me down
They're doing that hand jive all around town

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive

Willie and Lily got married last fall
They had a little Willie Junior, and that ain't all
Well, the baby got famous in his crib, you see
When he did that hand jive on MTV

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive (woo)
Do that crazy hand jive

Hand jive, hand jive, hand jive
Do that crazy hand jive, yeah, yeah

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George Thorogood

George Thorogood (born February 24, 1950) is an American blues rock vocalist/guitarist from Wilmington, Delaware, United States, known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone" as well as for covers of blues standards such as Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" and John Lee Hooker's "House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer," and Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?". more »

3 fans

Written by: JOHNNY OTIS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard, a British singer, and actor recorded a cover version of "Willie and The Hand Jive" in 1960. His rendition of the song was featured on his album "Me and My Shadows".
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton, the iconic British rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, included a cover version of "Willie And The Hand Jive" in his 1974 album "461 Ocean Boulevard". - Clapton's version of the song reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
George Thorogood
American musician George Thorogood included "Willie And The Hand Jive" in his 1985 album "Maverick". His version of the song was also very popular.
Johnny Otis
"Willie And The Hand Jive" was written and originally sung by Johnny Otis, an American singer-songwriter, arranger, and talent scout. - The song was released in 1958 and became a huge hit, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. - Johnny Otis' song is unique as it made the hand jive dance popular in America.
Kim Carnes
Kim Carnes, an American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive raspy vocal style, also included "Willie And The Hand Jive" in a 1991 benefit tribute album, "Rhythm, Country and Blues".
General Facts About "Willie and the Hand Jive
- "Willie and the Hand Jive" has a timeless rock 'n' roll rhythm which demonstrates the fusion of rock music with traditional African-American song forms. - The song is a staple of classic rock and oldies radio stations. - The dance, "Hand Jive," associated with the song became a significant cultural phenomenon and was commonly seen in dance clubs and parties in the mid-20th century. - The song continues to be popular and is often played at concerts, music festivals, and is included in several famous movie soundtracks.

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