Saturday, February 3, 2007

Hittin' On Nothin'

Song: Hittin' On Nothin'
Artist: Irma Thomas
Written:
Naomi Neville (Allen Tousaint)
Year : 1963
Album/Single: Minit # 666


Cobra's Version
Song: Hittin' On Nothin'
Released: February 24th, 1998
Album: Mink Rat or Rabbit



Today's selection is from the sweet soul queen of New Orleans - Irma Thomas. Irma is probably best known to most as the original artist for the song "Time Is On My Side" which, of course was later covered, with much success, by the Rolling Stones. She has many other great songs just as great as "Time Is On My Side", though I do recommend searching her version out. The Cobras obviously think highly of her as well, since they have covered 4 of her songs to date ("Break A Way", "Cry On", "It's Raining" and of course "Hittin' On Nothin'") with seemingly a fifth coming on the forthcoming "Tied & True" album - "The Hurt's All Gone". In fact, they have joked about being just an Irma Thomas/5 Royales cover band.

Today's song was written by Naomi Neville, which is a nom de plume for the great Crescent City producer / songwriter / piano man Allen Toussaint. Toussaint's talents has touched many a great song, from Ernie K-Doe's "Mother In Law", Lee Dorsey's "Working In A Coal Mine" and "Ruler of My Heart" which was 'adapted' by Otis Redding as "Pain In My Heart" (which was also covered by the Rolling Stones). Naomi Neville was apparently his mother's maiden name.

Since we seem to have a Rolling Stones theme happening here I'd like to point out that today's song is the perfect companion piece to their "Under My Thumb". That songs misogynistic
undertone is completely matched by the misandristic tone here. Odd, considering it was written by a guy . . .

Check out the lyrics for yourself :


Lyrics:
You can keep your sweet talk,
keep your lies
Keep all of your promises
save that jive

You ain't hittin' on nothin'

unless you got something for me

You know you promised me diamonds,
I'll never forget
I ain't seen hide nor hair
of a diamond yet

All I get is (talk, talk, talk)
Get your papers and (walk, walk, walk)
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me

You know you promised me a mink coat,
for my birthday
I ain't seen mink, rat or rabbit

Make it any old way

I'm tired of your (talk, talk, talk)
Hit the road, Jack (walk, walk, walk)
No no more talk
(talk, talk, talk)
Get your bags and walk (walk, walk, walk)

You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me

Hey, Hey
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me

Ah-Huh
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me

Hit the road
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me

Hey, Hey
You ain't hittin' on nothin'
unless you got something for me


The Cobra's version follows the above lyrics almost perfectly, with one interesting change. Rachel twists the mink, rat or rabbit" lyric to "mink, rabbit and rat". Why is that so interesting? The name of the album the Cobra's released it on was "Mink Rat or Rabbit". They did not twist the actual title of the song like they have been known to do (unless you came across the song via the Sympathy For The Record Industry compilation "Alright This Time Just The Girls" on which it was titled as "Ain't Hittin' On Nothin'"). Givin the number of apostrophes it would have been easy to do.

The interesting thing about the original is that it is a guitar based song, from a writer primarily known for his keyboard work. Check out the very Beatlesque guitar solo, which, considering it was a year before the Beatles crossed the pond, if very interesting indeed.



Download it now:
Irma Thomas - Hittin' on Nothin' - 1963 - Minit # 666
Available on "Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans: The Irma Thomas Collection"

Buy "Mink Rat or Rabbit " by the Detroit Cobras

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