JOE TEX, "DAVY, YOU UPSET MY HOME" C/W "COME IN THIS HOUSE," KING 45-4840 (REL. 11/1955)

 

On March 26th of this year, we featured Joe Tex's second single for King Records. Please refer to this post for biographical information. Today we'll spin his first-ever release: one of hundreds to come over the years. 

Here, the iconic bluesman delivers two original songs in performances that brim with youthful energy, humor and drama. 

Much can be learned about American history from popular culture. Though forgotten today, pioneer Davy Crockett was a huge presence in mid-1950s America. Fess Parker portrayed the easy-going trailblazer in a TV series that galvanized Boomer kids and sired a marketing bonanza—all manner of toys, clothing, books, recordings, food products…you name it. From the coonskin caps worn by many a future Vietnam soldier to bubblegum cards and comic books (some created by Jack Kirby, future eminence in the Marvel Comics empire), Davy was inescapable.

Joe Tex mines this mania for humor in “Davy, You Upset My Home,” a laff-happy account of a guy whose woman has drunk deep of the Crockett Kool-Aid. She couldn’t care less for our hero: Davy is her sole obsession. She gets Davy Crockett false teeth, a Crockett wig, et al and won’t give him the time of day.

He doesn’t share her affection for the manifest destiny icon and she shuns him because “I didn’t fight my way through no Indian war.” Things get violent; trigger warning. Joe pledges allegiance to Paul Revere just to get even.

Despite the moment of physical brutality—an unfortunate constant in r&b music of the era—Tex’s song and performance are colorful and winning. He spoke for many a baffled adult, Black or white, whose patience for the pioneer wore then in 1955. King of the wild fron-tier…..

King intended "Davy" as the A side, but "Come" showed more chart promise. Later pressings of this single omitted the line about false teeth.

“Come In the House” is a possible sequel to the other side. In this moody mid-tempo ballad, Joe exhorts a former lover to come in out of the rain and cold; let bygones be bygones, Tex says.

Joe’s performance is passionate and convincing, and the band delivers the low-down goods. No sideman takes a solo, but they churn out a stately backdrop for this teenager’s seasoned-sounding voice and first-rate performance.

My first copy of this single is in what I call Z- condition. One side played with millions of crackles and snaps; the other skipped like mad. I made a major and welcome upgrade at one of the three record shows I’ve just been to; glad to have this much-improved copy. Link is working!!!!

Tomorrow: the great post-war bluesman Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup with a choice 1960 single for Fire Records. Two solid old-school blues with a simple, tasteful treatment.