Now we’re getting to the meat of the matter! Sorry, I just had to say that. Next up in the food song pantheon is one of my faves from one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time.
Most folks know who Louis Armstrong is- mainly for songs like “What A Wonderful World” or “Hello Dolly.” And well you should. “Hello Dolly” knocked the Beatles off the top of the charts in 1964- making him the oldest performer to have a number 1 song on the Billboard charts. But Louis Armstrong’s career was decades long, and he had countless other hits.
Louis Armstrong – All That Meat And No Potatoes
One of Louis’ main loves, besides blowing a hot cornet, was food. He has dozens of songs with food in the title, and there’s little doubt the man enjoyed good cooking. However, many of the songs about food were really metaphors for women or sex. You really couldn’t say some of the things we take for granted nowadays, so musicians couched their risqué meanings in a variety of ways. “All That Meat And No Potatoes” was written by Fats Waller, and the title refers to a full-figured woman with small breasts in the slang of the day.
Louis Armstrong’s version, with Velma Middleton, seems much more like an argument over what’s for dinner than a critique of a woman’s figure. I love the slow strut of the melody in this song, and the lyrics crack me up.
So enjoy a little meat for your Thanksgiving week! You just may have to do without the potatoes…
November Songs
- The Neighborhood – Sweater Weather
- Little Milton – Grits Ain’t Groceries
- Louis Jordan – Boogie Boogie Blue Plate
- The Clash – Lost In The Supermarket
- Louis Armstrong – All That Meat And No Potatoes