It’s Tight Like That

It’s Tight Like That

Words and music by Hudson Whittaker (“Tampa Red”) and Thomas A. Dorsey, 1928.


Listen here folks
I wanta sing a little song
Don’t get mad, we don’t mean no harm
Y’know, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Oh, ya hear me talkin’ to you
I mean it’s tight like that

There was a little black rooster
Met a little brown hen
Made a date at the barn about-a half-past-ten.
Y’know, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

I went to see my gal
Over across the hall
Found another mule kickin’ in my stall
Y’know, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Now the gal I love
She’s long and slim
When she whip it, it’s too bad Jim
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Ya hear me talkin’ to you
I mean it’s tight like that

Now the rooster crowed
And the hen looked ’round
And a bum-bum-biddly got to carry me to town
Oh, it’s tough like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Ya hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Mama had a little dog
His name was Ball
If you give him a little taste he’d want it all
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Oh, hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Ah folks, that’s tight like that.
Yeah, take this Tampa Red.

Gon’ play it boy.

Uncle Bud and Aunt Jane
Went to Chinquapin huntin’
Aunt Jane fell down ‘n’ Uncle Bud’s idea
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Hear me talkin’ to you
I mean it’s tight like that

If you see my gal
Tell her to hurry home
I ain’t had no bread since she’s been gone
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beedle-um-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Ya hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

I’ll wear my britches
Up above my knees
Strut my jelly with who I please
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beep-um-bum-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Uncle Bill came home
‘Bout half-past-ten
Put the key in the hole but he couldn’t get in
Oh, it’s tight like that

Beep-um-bum-bum
Oh, It’s tight like that
Beedle-um-bum
Ya hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Me and my brother
Was up in the loft
We’s seein’ Uncle Bill when he broke it off
Y’know, it’s tight like that

Beeb-um-bum-bum
Oh, It’s tough like that
Beedle-um-bum
Ya hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Beeb-um-bum-b’bum-bum


Collected from Vocalion 1216, as sung by Tampa Red and Georgia Tom, recorded November 6, 1928.


Listen here folks
I’m gonna sing a little song
Don’t get mad we don’t mean no wrong

You know it’s tight like that
Aw, it’s tight like that
Hear me talkin’ to you
I mean it’s tight like that

(If you) See my gal
Tell her to hurry home
I ain’t had no sleep since she’s been gone

You know it’s tight like that
I mean it’s tight like that
Hear me talkin’ to you
Mean it’s tight like that

Uncle Bill came home
‘Bout half-past-ten
Couldn’t find his key so he couldn’t get in

Aw it’s tight like that
Mean tight like that
Hear me talkin’ to ya
I mean it’s tight like that

Da-da-da-doot-doot-do-do-da-doot-do
Bup-a-dada-dada-deet-doe-dadoe
[Falsetto] Tight like that
Doot-do-da-do-do
[Falsetto] Oh, it’s tight like that
Badadadada-lada-dee-do
Dip-la-de-dow
Skeet-loot-dadoe
De-dot-de-dotdot-dadoe-doe

Boddleitoddledadoot
Bop-dit-dittle-odoot
Lo-de-dat-dodle-addle
[Falsetto] Oh it’s crazy like that
Dit-de-doodle-ad-de
[Falsetto] Oh, tight like that
Boddla-a-doot-doot-da-dadoe

Day-de-dotdot-deetle-adoe
Bada-la-loodee-lotroot-ladoe


Collected from Victor V-38013, as sung by George Thomas (falsetto parts by Don Redman) with McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, recorded November 23, 1928.  Scat transcription is approximate.


Oh it’s tight like that
Aw it’s tight like what?
Oh it’s tight like this!

Now looka here folks
I wanta sing a little song
I hope you don’t get mad for I mean no wrong

Oh it’s tight like that
Yes sir
Tight like that
Yes sir, ooh
Oh it’s tight like that

When you see a spider
Goin’ up the wall
He’s goin’ up there to get his ashes hauled

Oh it’s tight like that
Yes sir
Tight like that
Yes sir, ooh
Oh it’s tight like that

Roll my britches
Above my knees
And strut me stuff with whoever I please

Oh tight like that
Yes sir
Tight like that
Yes sir, ooh
Oh it’s tight like that

My baby says
She likes her lovin’ done
Early in the morning before the risin’ sun

Oh tight like that
Yes sir
Tight like that
Yes sir, ooh
Oh it’s tight like that


Collected from Champion 15714, as sung my members of the band with Zack Whyte and his Chocolate Beau Brummels, recorded February 26, 1929.