FROM NOVELTIES TO BALLADS
Great! . . . Fantastic! . . . A gas! . . . Those are just a few of the words heard during the recording sessions.
The real "pros" who work the sessions in Music City, U.S.A., aren't usually this enthusiastic in their statements about a performer.So when you do hear these comments you know the performer must really have something. When you first put the needle down on this record you will know that Jim Nesbitt really does "have something." This is the Jim Nesbitt who has kept you laughing for several years with hilarious hits like Looking for More in '64, Still Alive in `65, The Friendly Undertaker and many other rib-tickling tunes. Now, this is Jim Nesbitt pulling at your heartstrings too, making you feel every heartache in She Didn't Come Home and Social Security. With this album Jim establishes the fact that he is not just a novelty-type recording artist, but that he can sing a ballad just as well as he does the novelty songs. Of course, we wouldn't dare neglect mentioning the great job Jim does on the upbeat, novelty material included in this album. Truck Drivin' Cat with Nine Wives is sure to be one of the big hits of the year, and for that reason this album was named after the song. This tune will soon be a favorite of the truck drivers as well as other country music fans from coast to coast. Quittin' Time, which Jim has out as a single, is a song that expresses the thoughts and feelings that most of us have had at one time or another, and will be appreciated by working folk everywhere. A Tiger in My Tank was also one of Jim's big records a while back. Those who have seen Jim Nesbitt on his personal appearance tours have been greatly impressed by his performances and his warm, friendly personality. His great style is heard throughout this album and will bring you many hours of listening enjoyment.
- Ott Stephens, Chart Records -
JIM NESBITT
TRUCK DRIVIN' CAT WITH NINE WIVES
Chart CHS-1005January/1968
Produced by Slim Williamson
Recorded:1964-1967, RCA Victor Studio, Nashville
1.
TRUCK DRIVIN' CAT WITH NINE WIVES
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
He was a truck drivin' man
This cat he had nine wives
A wife in every state from Carolina to California
And he took all the women for a ride
He'd kiss a different one goodbye each morning
Then he would be on his way
With a little pleasure long Highway 80
It took him nine days to cross the USA
Sometimes he was a little confused
Walking round like he was in a fog
He couldn't remember their names
So he wrote 'em all down in his log
He was a truck drivin' man....
[ crash ] Then one day it had to happen he ran off a mountain side
They looked at his log and they found nine women had to be notified
The women they came with all their children
Each one said yeah that's my pa
The women they finally agreed
They were just widows-in-law
Now that the funeral is over
His belongings they were divided up
You ought've seen those little women
Cuttin' up that old diesel truck
He was a truck drivin' man...
And he took all the women for a ride
**********
2.
LIVING THE LIFE OF RILEY
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
I'm living the life of Riley
Riley was my best friend
We used to be so close then
I took his woman from him
Now I'm living the life of Riley
But I'm too ashamed to stand tall
I'm living the life of Riley
And Riley's not living at all
Every night I would go to Riley's
One night he wasn't there
But I was too weak to go home
And it all started from there
I guess you have seen these things happen
A man will trust his best friend
Don't ever trust him with your woman
Oh that's where your friendship will end
Oh I'm living the life of Riley
But I'm too ashamed to stand tall
I'm living the life of Riley
And Riley's not living at all
**********
3.
I'M YELLER
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
I ain't no draft card burner I ain't no unpatriotic feller
I ain't no demonstrator I ain't no red I'm yeller
I got me a letter today it was from a dear Uncle Sam
He said boy I need you I'm sending you to Vietnam
Boy was I a shakin' but I packed my bags and I went
Paw said ain't no use a hidin' son you can't fight the government
I ain't no draft card burner...
Now I didn't volunteer for this they just up and shipped me out
They ask me what branch I wanted to get in I said the branch behind the house
Now here I am in this rice paddy all ready I'm a nervous wreck
Why I even look like a chicken in this rice bogged up to my neck
I ain't no draft card burner...
Now I won me a purple heart but ain't no use to send it
I've been shot up so cotton pickin' much I ain't got no where to pin it
My mother-in-law could take my place
She'd make a good spy in these Communists villas
They would never suspect her cause she looks just like a goriller
I ain't no draft card burner...
**********
4.
SHE DIDN'T COME HOME
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
She didn't come home last night now I know
That she'll never come home again
I came home and my darlin' was gone
I waited up for her until almost two
Then I fell asleep in my chair
Hopin' what I was thinkin' wasn't true
I had heard the whispers round town
But I wouldn't listen to what they said
She told me the day that she'd stop lovin' me
That would be the day that she was dead
She didn't come home last night now I know...
I woke up and I got my mornin' paper
There was a wreck and my best friend was dead
Killed with him was an unknown woman
I knew it was her from the description I read
She didn't come home last night now I know...
She didn't come home last night
Now I know that she'll never come home again
**********
5.
SO MANY TIMES
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
I don't know why I meet you
There's so many girls that would have been true
I've tried but I can't get you off of my mind
What a fool I've been so many times
So many times I've cried all night long
Knowin' that you were out doin' me wrong
Then you come home and I fall for your lie
What a fool I've been so many times
[ steel ] When spring time comes the snow leaves the ground
Daylight fades when the sun goes down
The rain stops falling when the clouds roll away
But this ache in my heart is here to stay
So many times I've cried all night long...
(So many times)
**********
6.
FRIENDLY UNDERTAKER
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '65 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
Well I'm your friendly undertaker let me take you for a spin
Yeah I'm your friendly undertaker let me take you for a spin
I got a big long black wagon that everybody's just dyin' to ride in
I offer you twenty-four-hour service call me cause I don't ever sleep
I offer you twenty-four-hour service call me cause I don't ever sleep
Yeah I'm your friendly undertaker and I'll bury you deep and cheap
[ dobro ] If you ain't got much money let me give you a helpin' hand
If you ain't got much money let me give you a helpin' hand
Yeah I'm your friendly undertaker you can use my lay a way plan
I got a big long black wagon it's got a big revolvin' door
I got a big long black wagon it's got a big revolvin' door
Now you won't ride all cramped up I even got room for four in the floor
Yes friends and neighbors this is your friendly undertaker
I offer you twenty-four-hour services seven days a week
Say there buddy you'd just as well come on in you will
**********
7.
QUITTIN' TIME
(William Helm)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
Hit the buzzer ring the chime blow the whistle it's quittin' time
Leave your toolbox and work behind everybody's happy cause it's quittin' time
Have a cool one meet the guys flip a coin and see who buys
Play the jukebox feelin' fine everybody's happy cause it's quittin' time
Ain't it great in every state all over the countryside
The one and only minute and time of the day everyone is so satisfied
Hit the buzzer ring the chime...
[ guitar - steel ] Ain't it great in every state...
Hit the buzzer ring the chime...
Yeah I'm ready to go in I'm one of the clock watchers
Get the supper on hon I'm comin' in boy this traffic is murder
**********
8.
SOCIAL SECURITY
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
I work until I think my back will break
Still it takes all that I make
To keep her in her high society
She don't want love she wants social security
She thinks more of her social friends than she does of me
She's broke my heart so many times for social security
Then someday when she's alone
And all of my money is gone
Then what will her social standing be
When all she's got is my social security
She thinks more of her social friends than she does of me
But what will they think when all she's got is my social security
**********
9.
I AIN'T NEVER BEEN PASSED
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
I'm rollin' down this ole highway not a worry on my mind
I got a little gal in Houston and one I just left behind
Got me a brand new Emoryville and that's what I call class
I'm a truck drivin' fool from the ole school and I ain't never been passed
No I ain't never been passed but the boys all say it's luck
That I ain't a truck drivin' fool at all just a fool drivin' a truck
They're makin' book at all the road stops that I can't be that fast
But I'm a truck drivin' fool from the ole school and I ain't never been passed
[ steel ] Now I'm lookin' in my sideview mirror some joker's comin' up behind
There ain't nobody gotta tell me what he's got on his mind
I can see that red light flashin' I can hear that siren whail
Gotta get this load on a sideroad for he's right on my tail
No I ain't never been passed but I wish I had sometimes
I don't carry home no money at all payin' these traffic fines
I got a high priced reputation but I try to make it last
Cause I'm a truck drivin' fool from the ole school
And I ain't never been passed
**********
10.
HUSBAND IS THE LAST ONE TO KNOW
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '67 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
Why why why oh why is the husband the last one to know
News gets around in a small town they'll talk about Ms so and so
They know all that's going on but the husband is the last one to know
Why why why oh why is the husband the last one to know
You can hear a lot of things people talk that's just a way of life
But not even your best friend will tell you the things he knows about your wife
[ piano ] In my business I have to travel most of the time I'm gone
Then one day I came home early and I found out I had business at home
Why why why oh why is the husband the last one to know
**********
11.
INTOXICATED FRUSTRATED ME
(Lewis Pruitt)« © '67 Acuff-Rose Music, BMI »
My dog ran away from the house
And the cat even left and took the mouse
I've just got to find a way to save my mind
Intoxicated frustrated me
The radio won't say a single word
And the picture on the TV is blured
There's no sound at all except the tears that fall
Intoxicated frustrated me
Intoxicated frustrated aggravated liminated me
[ steel ] The day you left I said you won't stay gone
So foolishly I laughed and waved you on
That was ten days ago and it's beginning to show
Intoxicated frustrated me
The chair where I'm sittin' won't stay still
And the glass in my hand won't stay filled
This night is just too long and your memory is strong
Intoxicated frustrated me
Intoxicated frustrated aggravated liminated me
Intoxicated frustrated aggravated liminated me
**********
12.
TIGER IN MY TANK
(Jim Nesbitt)« © '64 16th Avenue Music, BMI »
Well I had a car that wouldn't hardly crank
Then I put a tiger in my tank
Now you oughta hear them tires squeal
I can pass anything on four wheels
Yeah I got a tiger in my tank if there's any doubt
When I pass you on the road you'll see his tail hangin' out
Now goin' down the road bout 103
Radar man sittin' behind a big tree
He was tryin' to check me when I looked at him
I run that needle right off of the stem
Yeah I got a tiger in my tank if's there's any doubt
You can pass me on the road and see his tail hangin' out
Talk to me tiger (meeeoooow)
Now there was this hot rodder lived in town
Said he had the fastest car of anybody round
We got side by side one Saturday night
When I thowed it second I was out of sight
Yeah I got a tiger in my tank if there's any doubt
When I pass you on the road you'll see his tail hangin' out
Tell 'em somethin' tiger (meeeeooow)
I was goin' through a town in Tennessee
Twelve police cars was after me
Well they pulled off the road and turned around
When they seen that tiger's tail hangin' down
Yeah I got a tiger in my tank if there's any doubt
When I pass you on the road you'll see his tail hangin' out
Speak one time tiger (meeeeooow)
I took this red-head for a ride
I pulled her up close by my side
She said listen here Bud I got news for you
You got a tiger in the front seat too
Yeah I got a tiger in my tank if there's any doubt
You can pass me on the road you'll see his tail hangin' out
Let me hear you one time tiger (meeeeooow)
Aw roar one time for 'em (meeeeooow)
**********
