Tramp

Otis Redding, Carla Thomas

About Tramp

"Tramp" is a soul blues song written by West Coast blues artists Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin. First recorded by Fulson in 1967, it is described as "a loping funk-injected workout [which restored] the guitarist to R&B stardom", by AllMusic writer Bill Dahl. In the song's narrative, the singer ignores the criticism of his unsophisticated appearance: Despite label owner Jules Bihari's initial dislike, the song was released as a single by Kent Records in 1967. It became a hit, peaking at number five in the Billboard R&B chart. The song was also Fulson's most popular single in the broader, pop-oriented Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it reached number 52. Fulson recalled Bihari's initial reaction: "Oh, he hated 'Tramp', Jules [Bihari] did." However, when he previewed the song for two influential disc jockeys, the response was "Hush! Man, get me my copy, quick. You sitting on a gold mine, talking about you want to hear some blues. You better get that record out." Fulson elaborated: 


Year:
1996

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Tramp! 
 What you call me? 
 Tramp. 
 You didn't! 
 You don't wear continental clothes, or Stetson hats. 
 Well I tell you one dog-gone thing. It makes me feel good to know one thing. I know I'm a lover. 
 Matter of opinion. 
 That's all right, Mama was. Papa too. And I'm the only child. Lovin' is all I know to do. 
 You know what, Otis? 
 What? 
 You're country. 
 That's all right. 
 You straight from the Georgia woods. 
 That's good. 
 You know what? You wear overalls, and big old brogan shoes, and you need a haircut, Tramp. 
 Haircut? Woman, you foolin'...ooh...I'm a lover. Mama was. Grandmama, Papa too. Boogaloo. All that stuff. And I'm the only son-of-a-gun this side of the Sun. Tramp! 
 You know what, Otis? I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp. 
 What? 
 That's right. You haven't even got a fat bankroll in your pocket. You probably haven't even got twenty-five cents. 
 I got six Cadillacs, five Lincolns, four Fords, six Mercuries, three T-Birds, Mustang, ooooooohhh...I'm a lover. Mama was. Papa too. I tell you one thing. 
 Well tell me. 
 I'm the only son-of-a-gun this side of the Sun. 
 You're a tramp, Otis. 
 No I'm not. 
 I don't care what you say, you're still a tramp. 
 What's wrong with that? 
 Look here. You ain't got no money. 
 I got everything. 
 You can't buy me all those minks and sables and all that stuff I want. 
 I can buy you minks, rats, frogs, squirrels, rabbits, ...anything you want, Woman. 
 Look, you can go out in the Georgia woods and find them, Baby. 
 Oh, you foolin'. 
 You're still a tramp. 
 That's all right. 
 You a tramp, Otis. You just a tramp. 
 That's all right. 
 You wear overalls. You need a haircut, Baby. Cut off some of that hair off your head. You think you a lover, huh? 

Here's the original text (Lowell Fulson) :

1.
Tramp -
You can call me that.
I Don't wear that kind of clothes: Stuts and hats.
But I'm a lover
Mana was - Papa too.
I'm not a child: Love is all I gonna do.

2.
Call me country
That a new word
I'll answer when You call me, Baby, I mean, if that makes You feel good...
But I'm just a lover
Mama was - Papa too.
But I'm not a child: Love is all I gonna do.

3.
Now: Whatever You call me,
I even go for that!
'Cause I keep a fat pack crawling in my pocket Baby!
You know, I don't own three Cadillacs -
'Cause I'm just a lover.
Mama was - Papa too.
I'm not a child: Love is all I gonna do.

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


Otis Redding

Otis Ray Redding, Jr. (September 9, 1941 – December 10, 1967) was an American singer and songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. Considered one of the major figures in soul music and rhythm and blues, and one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music, his singing style influenced other soul artists of the 1960s, and he helped to craft the short-living and powerful style of R&B that formed the basis of the Stax Sound. After appearing at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, he wrote and recorded "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper, which became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts after his death in a plane crash. The Dock of the Bay reached number one on the UK A… more »

2 fans

Written by: JIMMY MCCRACKLIN, LOWELL FULSOM

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Original Release
"Tramp" was originally recorded and released by blues singer Lowell Fulson in 1967.
Genre
The song falls under the blues and rhythm and blues genres.
Billboard Chart Success
Fulson’s version peaked at number five on the R&B singles chart and remained there for four weeks.
Big Cover Version
"Tramp" was notably covered by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967, which became the most popular and known version of the song.
Collaboration
The version of "Tramp" by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas was featured on their collaborative album "King & Queen."
Commercial Success
The Otis Redding and Carla Thomas version of "Tramp" was a big commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard R&B chart, and breaking into the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Notable Lyric
The song features the notable line "You don't wear continental clothes, or Stetson hats."
Influences
"Tramp" contains samples from other works, especially a recognizable guitar track that was a hallmark of many of Fulson's songs.
Unusual Production
The Redding and Thomas version of the song is notable for its unconventional production, featuring an iconic conversational style where the two singers playfully tease each other.
Lasting Influence
Although "Tramp" was originally released in the 1960s, it has had a long-lasting influence on the music industry, and has been sampled in songs by several hip-hop artists, including Salt 'N' Pepa in their 1987 hit of the same name, as well as by A Tribe Called Quest, and Notorious B.I.G.
Recognition
In 1999, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas's version of "Tramp" was officially inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Famous Covers
Apart from Otis Redding and Carla Thomas, "Tramp" has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including funk band The Meters, soul singer Joe Tex, and pop band Salt 'N' Pepa. The song continues to be a popular choice for covers and music samples.

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