Mr. Bojangles is such an odd song

I sort of always thought of it as a great American classic - but is it?

I sort of thought it came from the 1930s and was redone over the years by endless different people - but it's not, it's a song from the 60s. The original was written and sung by Jerry Jeff Walker. I mean who the fuck has ever heard of Jerry Jeff Walker? His version doesn't quite hit the mark. I like the first line very much - sounds sort of nostalgic and wistful and sweet, but it's downhill from there.

Anyone else have knowledge and/or an opinion?

Actually I just discovered this live version and it's nicer than the original recording. Drags a bit though.

Isn’t mr Bojangles some minstrel show shit?

"I mean who the fuck has ever heard of Jerry Jeff Walker?"

He is not as obscure as you think he is.

[quote]I like the first line very much - sounds sort of nostalgic and wistful and sweet, but it's downhill from there.

Your post is pointless since you don't bother to mention why you don't like the rest of the lyrics.

[quote]Your post is pointless since you don't bother to mention why you don't like the rest of the lyrics.

I said [bold]the song [/bold]is downhill from there - I didn't realise a literary critique was expected for my post to "have a point".

"Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police. Mr. Bojangles had been arrested as part of a police sweep of indigent people that was carried out following a high-profile murder. The two men and others in the cell chatted about all manner of things, but when Mr. Bojangles told a story about his dog, the mood in the room turned heavy. Someone else in the cell asked for something to lighten the mood, and Mr. Bojangles obliged with a tap dance. The homeless "Mr. Bojangles", who was white, had taken his pseudonym from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson , a black entertainer."

My favorite version by far

"The song is downhill from there" is a pointless statement without some examples of what you don't like about it. In my opinion, the song tells a compelling story about an interesting character, and I very much like all of the song -- including all of the lyrics .

Sorry if I haven't been clear. I like the opening of the song - but very quickly it loses me. I don't care a lot about the lyrics either way.

That's enough from me. It's just a pop song. Nothing to get too heavy and intense about. Unless you're heavy and intense, of course.

Okay, thanks for explaining, sort of. I'll just repeat that I really like the whole song. I think the lyrics tell a compelling story about a very colorful, interesting character, and the music is excellent and fits the lyrics perfectly.

I liked Jerry Jeff's cover of Ray Wiley Hubbard's "Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother."

I’ve never heard of this guy

That's my mom's favorite song. She likes things that are sickeningly sweet, twee and overly sentimental.

You want an opinion, OP?

You're a confused, ignorant lout who holds it against a songwriter because YOU haven't heard of him, and you also waste our time by blabbing about WHICH of this poor man's versions you can tolerate.

Just shut the fuck up, you waste of time.

I've never heard of this song or the guy who wrote it.

It sounds nothing whatsoever like a 30s song.

Sammy Davis Jr did the definitive version.

The song is about a vaudeville artist who had his moment in the sun in the 30s or 40s.

[quote]You want an opinion, OP?

Not yours, you freak from the underworld.

I'd suggest therapy, but what you need is a priest.

Don't EVER address me on this forum again.

Why the 30s? The original, nor the popular covers, sounds anything like a song from the 30s.

I’d give you a dime to blow off, but brother I can’t spare one.

It could lead to dancing.

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