Monk, Lyrically Speaking

[Sundog]

Anybody know if these lyrics are correct?

Dizzie, he was screaming

Next to Opie who was beaming

Monk a thumping

Suddenly in walks Bud and then they got down to somethin'

Oscar played a mean axe

Mr. Byas threw a mean sax

Monk a thumping

Suddenly in walks Bud

And then the joint started jumping

Every young stud really dug Bud

Soothing his tone, talking that note

Nobody wrote, putting it down

Dizzie he was screaming

Next to Opie who was beaming

Monk a thumping

Suddenly in walks Bud

And then they got down to something

[mikeweil]

Opie should be O.P. - Oscar Pettiford.

I hear: "... and then they got into something" in the 4th line.

Did you transcribe it yourself? From Monk's Underground album or from Carmen McRae's?

[Sundog]

I've been doing it more or less from memory. My dad used to play a vocal version of it all the time when I was a kid (probably McRae's). I can't really remember.

Anyway, I've been learning to play this song and thought it would be cool to try to sing the lyrics, if for nothing more than my own enjoyment. Lord knows I wouldn't want to subject the general public to my voice!

Mike, thanks for the corrections.

[jazzbo]

Man when John is scattin' and hummin' and verbalizin' away while bass solos goes on. . . it's magical!

[Jim R]

I think you're partly correct, but there are a few other corrections I would suggest. Here's how I hear the version from UNDERGROUND:

Dizzy, he was screamin'

Next to O.P. who was beamin'

Monk was thumpin'

Suddenly in walked Bud and then they got into somethin'

Oscar played a mean sax

Mr. Byas blew a mean ax

Monk was thumpin'

Suddenly in walked Bud

And then the joint started jumpin'

Every hip stud really dug Bud soon'z they hit town,

Takin' that note nobody wrote, puttin' it down

O.P. he was screamin'

Next to Dizzy who was beamin'

Monk was thumpin'

Suddenly in walked Bud

And then they got into somethin'

-break for solos-

Dizzy, he was screamin'

Next to O.P. who was beamin'

Monk was thumpin'

Suddenly in walked Bud and then they got into somethin'

O.P. blew a mean ax

Mr. Byas blew a mean sax

Monk was thumpin'

suddenly in walked Bud and then they got into somethin'

Every hip stud really dug Bud soon'z they hit town,

Findin' that note nobody wrote, puttin' it down

Dizzy, he was screamin'

Next to O.P. who was beamin'

Monk was thumpin'

Suddenly in walked Bud and then they got into somethin'

[Sundog]

Thanks Jim, that sure looks like the genuine article!

[GA Russell]

Thanks! I haven't heard that in decades!

[jazzbo]

GA, I highly recommend the new version of "Underground" on Columbia cd; restored solos and all this is one fine reissue.

[ghost of miles]

I'd also recommend that Carmen McRae SINGS MONK CD as well, which got re-issued a couple of years ago in the new Bluebird series. I've been listening to a lot of McRae lately, and plan to re-visit that one soon.