Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Cocoanut Oil

"Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Cocoanut Oil", also known as "Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut Oil", is a 1932 song of Bahamian origin, first recorded by Mart Britt and his Orchestra, but most famous in the version by Count Basie. The lyrics describe a woman suffering from alcoholism. [1] The song has become a jazz standard.

Background and lyrics

The song originates from Nassau, Bahamas, where it was sung at jumping dance and fire dance ceremonies.[2] [1] It describes a woman, "mama", who prefers drinking brandy and rum over peas, rice, coconut oil, whiskey or gin - "because it makes her sin." She complains about "a pain in her chest, because the food papa gives her won't digest." The song was first recorded in 1932 by Mart Britt and his Orchestra. [2]

Count Basie

Jazz band leader Count Basie recorded the song on 6 June 1938,[2] with lyrics provided by Louis Wolfe Gilbert and L. Charles and a vocal performance by James Rushing. [3] This is by far the most famous version.

Notable recorded versions

Count Basie's version of the song was used in the film The Day of the Locust (1975). [9]

The song Peas and Rice by Swing Republic on their album Electro Swing Republic samples Basie's recording of this song. [10] A version of the song was used in a TV commercial in the UK for the vegetable cooking oil Crisp n Dry, with the lyrics changed to " Mama don't want no greasy food from no cooking oil, Mama don't want no greasy food from no cooking oil, Mama likes a nice cod fish, that doesn't swim in grease, that cooks real quick with out no oil slick, Mama preaches that it's great, cos its low in saturate, she likes Crisp n Dry, my Mama likes Crisp n Dry!"

Sources
  1. "Mama Don't Want No Peas, No Rice". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved Dec 13, 2020.
  2. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  3. "Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Cocoanut Oil". Jun 6, 1938. Retrieved Dec 13, 2020 – via Internet Archive.
  4. "78 Record: Harry Roy - One Morning In May (1934)". Retrieved Dec 13, 2020 – via www.45worlds.com.
  5. Dodge, Timothy (2019-03-15). Rhythm and Blues Goes Calypso. ISBN 9781498530996.
  6. "Mento Music: Lord Lebby". www.mentomusic.com. Retrieved Dec 13, 2020.
  7. "The Versatile Burl Ives! - Burl Ives | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved Dec 13, 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  8. "Calypsos From Jamaica - Hubert Porter and the Jaimaican Calypsonians, Hubert Porter | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Retrieved Dec 13, 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  9. Barton Palmer, R. (2007-02-22). Twentieth-Century American Fiction on Screen. ISBN 9781139461689.
  10. "Swing Republic's 'Peas and Rice' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled. Retrieved Dec 13, 2020.
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