Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

Louis Jordan

About Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

"Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens" is a jump blues song, written by Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney. Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five recorded the song on June 26, 1946 and Decca Records released it on a 78 rpm record. The single debuted on Billboard magazine's Rhythm and Blues Records Chart on December 14, 1946. It reached number one and remained at the top position for seventeen weeks, longer than any other Jordan single. It also reached number six on the broader Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The B-side, "Let the Good Times Roll," peaked at number two on the R&B chart. Jordan's hit song popularized the expression "Nobody here but us chickens", but the phrase is older. Its first known appearance was a joke published as a reader-submitted anecdote in Everybody's Magazine in 1908 regarding a chicken thief, formulated as, "'Deed, sah, dey ain't nobody hyah 'ceptin' us chickens." From there, it was picked up by newspapers and reprinted far and wide. 


Year:
2004
17 

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One night farmer Brown was takin' the airs
Locked up the barnyard with the greatest of care
Down in the hen house, somethin' stirred
When he shouted, "Who's there?"
This is what he heard

“There ain't nobody here but us chickens
There ain't nobody here at all
So calm yourself and stop that fuss
There ain't nobody here but us
We chickens tryin' to sleep and you butt in
And hobble, hobble hobble hobble with your chin”

“There ain't nobody here but us chickens
There ain't nobody here at all
You're stompin' around and shakin' the ground
You're kickin' up an awful dust
We chicken's tryin' to sleep and you butt in
And hobble, hobble hobble hobble, it's a sin”

“Tomorrow is a busy day
We got things to do, We got eggs to lay
We got ground to dig and worms to scratch
It takes a lot of settin', gettin' chicks to hatch”

“Ohh, there ain't nobody here but us chickens
There ain't nobody here at all
So quiet yourself and stop that fuss
There ain't nobody here but us
Kindly point that gun the other way
And hobble, hobble hobble of and hit the hay”

“Tomorrow is a busy day
We got things to do, we got eggs to lay
We got ground to dig and worms to scratch
It takes a lot of settin', gettin' chicks to hatch”

“There ain't nobody here but us chickens
There ain't nobody here at all
So quiet yourself and stop that fuss
There ain't nobody here but us
And kindly point that gun the other way
And hobble, hobble hobble of and hit the hay”

“Hey, hey, boss man, what do ya say?
It's easy pickings
Ain't nobody here but us chickens”

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Louis Jordan

Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was a pioneering American jazz, blues and rhythm & blues musician, songwriter and bandleader who enjoyed his greatest popularity from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as "The King of the Jukebox", he was highly popular with both black and white audiences in the later years of the swing era. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him no. 59 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. more »

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Written by: ALEX C. KRAMER, JOAN WHITNEY

Lyrics © BOURNE CO.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Genre
"Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" is often categorized as a jump blues song, a genre that combines blues and jazz elements, known for its upbeat tempo and fun lyrical content.
Release Year
The song was recorded and released by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five in 1946.
Performance Popularity
"Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" was one of Jordan's most popular songs, hitting number one on the R&B charts where it stayed for a total of 17 weeks.
Song Inspiration
The song was inspired by a phrase used in cartoons and comic strips of the day, which a character would say when trying to avoid detection or responsibility.
Songwriters
The song was written by Alex Kramer and Joan Whitney.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including B.B. King, Asleep at the Wheel, James Brown, and The Blues Brothers.
Music Video
A computer-animated music video of the song, featuring dancing chickens was produced in 1980 for the song's release on Jordan's album "Let The Good Times Roll".
Depiction of Black History
Though known for its humor, Jordan and his band were particularly important in the progression of black music history as their songs bridged the gap between swing and rock and roll, giving rise to R&B and subsequently soul and funk.
Music Accolades
In 2001, the recording of "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" was honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame for its "qualitative or historical significance".
International Influence
Jordan's music, including "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens", played a significant role in inspiring the 'skiffle' craze in 1950s Britain, which led to the formation of many British rock bands.
Music Chart Success
The song was not just popular in America, it also reached the top ten in the UK singles chart when it was re-released there in 1985.
Legacy
Louis Jordan is often credited with being one of the fathers of American rhythm and blues, and this song is part of his enduring legacy.

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