Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Faron Young · Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Hi-Tone Poppa [Bea [2006]
Well, have you ever passed
The corner of 4th and Grand
Where a little ball of rhythm
Has a shoeshine stand.
People gather round and they clap their hands
He's a great big bundle of joy
He pops a boogie woogie rag
Chattanooga shoeshine boy.
Well, he charges you a nickel
Just to shine one shoe
He makes the oldest kind
Of laughter look like new.
You feel as though you wanna dance
when he gets through.
He's a great big bundle of joy
He pops a boogie, woogie rag
Chattanooga shoeshine boy.
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You oughta see him fan the air
With his hoppity, hippity,
Hoppity, hippity, hoppity, hippity hop.
He opens up for business
When the clock strikes nine
He likes to get 'em early
When they're feelin' fine.
Everybody gets a little rise and shine
'Bout that great big bungle of joy
He pops a boogie, woogie rag
Chattanooga shoeshine boy.
--- Instrumental ---
It's a wonder that the rag don't tear
The way he makes it pop
You oughta see him fan the air
With his hoppity, hippity,
Hoppity, hippity, hoppity, hippity hop.
He opens up for business
When the clock strikes nine
He likes to get 'em early
When they're feelin' fine.
Everybody gets a little rise and shine
'Bout that great big bungle of joy
He pops a boogie, woogie rag
Chattanooga shoeshine boy...
Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Faron Young's 'Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy' stands as a quintessential example of his mastery in country storytelling. Recorded for the album 'Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Hi-Tone Poppa,' the track exemplifies the honky-tonk and western swing styles that defined Young's career during the 1960s. The song features Young's signature vocal delivery, characterized by a smooth, baritone tone that blends seamlessly with the rhythmic guitar work typical of the era. It captures the narrative of a young man seeking work, reflecting the social dynamics and regional settings of the American South. As part of Young's extensive discography, the recording showcases his ability to craft memorable characters and evoke specific atmospheres, contributing to his legacy as a leading figure in modern country music.