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B.B. King — Is You, Or Is You Ain't My Baby (w/ Dr. John)
Album: Let The Good Times Roll
Avg rating:
7.3

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Total ratings: 580









Released: 0
Length: 3:20
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I got a gal that's always late
Every time we have a date
But I love her
Yes I love her

I'm gonna walk right up to her gate
And see if I can get it straight
Cause I want her
I'm gonna ask her

Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt
Yous is still my baby-baby
Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out
A woman is a creature that has always been strange
Just when you're sure of one
You find she's gone and made a change
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true?

Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt
Yous is still my baby-baby
Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out
A woman is a creature that has always been strange
Just when you're sure of one
You find she's gone and made a change
Is you is or is you ain't my baby
Maybe baby's found somebody new
Or is my baby still my baby true?
Comments (89)add comment


"Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" is a song written by Louis Jordan and Billy Austin. The song's first recording, by Jordan, was made on October 4, 1943.

Posted 2 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 Andybob wrote:
They both sound tired on this one. Besides as covers of this tune go you can't beat Joe Jackson's version on Jumpin' Jive.

 
Yeah, well, it was still nice to hear them stretch out on a standard no matter how, um, assembled. Agree re Jackson's cover. Smokes. So does he.
Posted 8 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
How many times does a great song need to be covered until it's totally ruined.. its like that South Park episode where Harrison Ford gets raped over and over again. 
Posted 8 years ago by floydoftherocks    [ Reply ]
They both sound tired on this one. Besides as covers of this tune go you can't beat Joe Jackson's version on Jumpin' Jive.
Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
Like many others below, I automatically think of Tom & Jerry when I hear any version of this song...
Posted 9 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 xtalman wrote:
Sad to hear the BB maybe milking it a little too long.  I guess a recent show was a disaster.  

/Saw BB about 15 years ago.  Was an excellent show.
 

 
That's just bull -  BB and the Dr. are legend
 
Posted 9 years ago by islandstudio    [ Reply ]
Sad to hear the BB maybe milking it a little too long.  I guess a recent show was a disaster.  

/Saw BB about 15 years ago.  Was an excellent show.
 
Posted 10 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}
Posted 10 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
This is just  - classic. Whether or not this is your exact cup of tea, you cannot deny the genius and charm.
Posted 11 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
B.B. King in Toronto on Oct 10 2013 at Massey Hall.  The best venue (and maybe the oldest) in Canada !
 

 
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
I am not a fan of big band sound, but this is not bad!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]


Go Tom Go...  Jerry can be such an old man (or mouse) sometimes.
Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
Oh yeah, I is.
{#Hug}
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Are you or are you not. But hey, who's splitting hairs?
Posted 12 years ago by richlister    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote: 

The Tom & Jerry version's pretty fun :o)
 
Oh yes! I'd forgotten how brilliant that was!  Thanks so much for sharing that! 
Posted 12 years ago by Jahgal    [ Reply ]
 lmic wrote:
Please Bill, the Louis Jordan version! {#Pray}
 
The Tom & Jerry version's pretty fun :o)

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
I love this song, no matter who does it. The interplay between Mr. King and Dr. John is wonderful, though - lots of witty ad-libs. {#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
I is!
Posted 14 years ago by Mexilicious    [ Reply ]
Please Bill, the Louis Jordan version! {#Pray}
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
 Jacksonstat wrote:
bump :)
 
This was my first exposure to this song.  Glad I'm not alone.
Posted 14 years ago by dolfan    [ Reply ]
My favorite is Dinah Washington's version on the Verve Remixed compilation
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]

What, no more plays for the better one, the one by the real guy, the guy who really did it?

This version — RP's apparently preferred substitute — is incomprehensible butchery.


Posted 14 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
 Jacksonstat wrote:

 
This is right up there with the Bjork - Puff Daddy quote from Smackdaddy

Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Oh, had I only listened to the cries of the old masters....
Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIOmzsiecuA
Posted 15 years ago by paloeguevo    [ Reply ]
Cool arrange and dialogue. This is how t king ought . His solo act is arthritic, sad but true
Posted 15 years ago by paulpaar    [ Reply ]
neckbone wrote:
Nice. First thing I thought of when I heard this.
How funny. Nice to see someone else thinks like i do. First thing I thought of was Tom.
Posted 16 years ago by cafortier    [ Reply ]
neckbone wrote:
Nice. First thing I thought of when I heard this.
me too! T&J my favorite cartoons ever.
Posted 16 years ago by Gednabb    [ Reply ]
IZ SHE IZ, O IZ SHE AINT, MY BABY
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Excellent song for a Friday morning. Bill---you rock! Fantastic play list.
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
Sublime
Posted 16 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
Nice. First thing I thought of when I heard this.
Posted 16 years ago by neckbone    [ Reply ]
This is cool:)
Posted 16 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
Wow, RP is on a huge a roll. Tuned in an hour or so ago and it's been all it should be. Programming is a craft. Bill, you the man.
Posted 16 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]
...A woman is a creature that has always been strange Just when you're sure of one, you find she's gone and made a change ... Yes, I (have to...) agree strongly!
Posted 16 years ago by Nabla    [ Reply ]
bump :) Jacksonstat wrote:
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
overlord wrote:
bwaahahahaha God I love the part where he plucks out the baseline on Spike's lower lip. Classic!
LOVE IT! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSe_CiG2A_M
Posted 17 years ago by Rendergirl    [ Reply ]
Dull Dull Dull just because you're a couple of blues greats, doesn't mean you can sing anything...they must have been having a slow day in the boondocks
Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
lunar1963 wrote:
I prefer Joe Jackson on his Jump 'n' Jive album
Agreed! Jumpin' Jive is a great album; it was about 15 years too early for the swing revival.
Posted 17 years ago by drp    [ Reply ]
DebateG wrote:
Damn straight
bwaahahahaha God I love the part where he plucks out the baseline on Spike's lower lip. Classic!
Posted 17 years ago by overlord    [ Reply ]
pweverka wrote:
This doesn't really seem to be B.B.'s thing . . .
I have to agree. I prefer Louis Jordan's version - in the RP library but not played since October '05?
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
This doesn't really seem to be B.B.'s thing . . .
Posted 17 years ago by pweverka    [ Reply ]
pomalley wrote:
Joe Jackson does this cover of Lewis Jordan's song better than anyone. Check out Jumpin Jive, Joe's best album. I think Lewis Jordan did this orignally.... no?
Yes, Mr. Jordan did. Is the title is, or is it ain't, still missing a word?
Posted 17 years ago by kaupmees    [ Reply ]
rgrace wrote:
Incredible stamina by the guitar-playing cat there....
Damn straight
Posted 17 years ago by DebateG    [ Reply ]
lunar1963 wrote:
I prefer Joe Jackson on his Jump 'n' Jive album
That was a great album and impressively, about 10 years ahead of the 1990s swing fad. :-D Glad I am not alone on that.
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
suddenchad wrote:
Says who? They're artists, not contractors.
Says the Artists Producing Crap Department- they have the power to revoke Artistic Licenses, dontcha know? If it weren't for artists producing crap, would we have had Picasso and Pollock, or the Beatles White Album, or Schoenbergs 12-tone-rows? Would we have had Stravinsky's Rite of Spring or anything by Mahler? All considered crap by somebody at something, yet it propels us along the line artistically speaking.
Posted 17 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
Joe Jackson does this cover of Lewis Jordan's song better than anyone. Check out Jumpin Jive, Joe's best album. I think Lewis Jordan did this orignally.... no?
Posted 17 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
dwa375 wrote:
Past success does not grant permission to turn out crap.
Says who? They're artists, not contractors.
Posted 17 years ago by suddenchad    [ Reply ]
This was alright until Dr. John kicked in...not that I wholesale dislike Dr. John, but in this context? Meh.
Posted 18 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
I wonder if she replied, "I's is".
Posted 18 years ago by RobK    [ Reply ]
rgrace wrote:
Incredible stamina by the guitar-playing cat there....
Well you know he's on the X, right?
Posted 18 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
Incredible stamina by the guitar-playing cat there....
Posted 18 years ago by rgrace    [ Reply ]
I was off from work yesterday and was lying on the couch watching TV (that's what you're supposed to do when you call in 'sick' right?) and flipped to the Cartoon Network just as this cartoon was airing... it made my day :)
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
yes, but what about Scraming Jay Hawkins' version? Faaar superior, IMHO
Posted 18 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
WAAAAAAYYY to funny!!! If it weren't for that cartoon, I would never have heard this tune!!
Posted 18 years ago by olsaltybastard    [ Reply ]
second song in a row (put a lid on it was the last one) to have a swing-dance rhythm. nice!
Posted 18 years ago by donpdonp    [ Reply ]
This song is a classic in New Orleans. I used to hear different versions of it on the radio all the time when I was growing up there. And Dr. John's voice is the essence of New Orleans music.
Posted 18 years ago by RayRay    [ Reply ]
Jacksonstat wrote:
Posted 18 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
always reminds me of that Tom & Jerry episode...
God that's a classic. Tex Avery was an unqualified genius.
Posted 18 years ago by drover    [ Reply ]
kaupmees wrote:
The title of this Louis Jordan song is Is you is or is you ain't my baby. An is is missing, is it ain't?
I thought so, too, but figured I'd made a mistake. Google says you're right.
Posted 18 years ago by betterdaze    [ Reply ]
The title of this Louis Jordan song is Is you is or is you ain't my baby. An is is missing, is it ain't?
Posted 18 years ago by kaupmees    [ Reply ]
PLEASE! I want to hear "Linus & Lucy" now... please please!
Posted 18 years ago by Atombender    [ Reply ]
oh yeah! this beats 10,000 maniacs any day of the week! love when rp gets bluesy
Posted 18 years ago by mikedill    [ Reply ]
Strange... women... what ever is he talking about?
Posted 18 years ago by honeygirl    [ Reply ]
str8nochaser wrote:
As much as I dig B.B. and the Docta, this ain't their milieu...gimme some Dinah Washington or Sarah Vaughn on this tune any day. I implore you, B.B., please get back to treatin' Lucille right and Dr. Jizzohn, please gits back home to Nawlins and gimme some o' dat good ol' Iko Iko stuff.
AMEN!!
Posted 18 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
Having not heard any other version, I find this pretty cool.
Posted 18 years ago by mrselfdestruct    [ Reply ]
I agree. I never thought I would hear something from either of these two, particularly B.B., that would deserve less than a 7. But somehow you managed to find it, Bill !!! This song is just so much better by loads of other famous and not so famous artists.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
I prefer Joe Jackson on his Jump 'n' Jive album
Posted 18 years ago by lunar1963    [ Reply ]
Someone else's version is funnier and faster. Aha, below, others mention the same thing. But even then, I have to be in an extreme mood to find bad grammar funny. Our society has reached such a low point that pro-grammar statements seem to require attendant apology or be considered "unacceptable"!
Posted 18 years ago by rKokon    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
always reminds me of that Tom & Jerry episode...
That was the first thing that came to my mind, too!!
Posted 19 years ago by olsaltybastard    [ Reply ]
This seems to be the start of a set: B.B. King & Dr. John - Is You, Or Is You Ai... Squirrel Nut Zippers - Put A Lid On It They both have that descending minor scale in the bass. Like Feeling Good.
Posted 19 years ago by callum    [ Reply ]
As much as I dig B.B. and the Docta, this ain't their milieu...gimme some Dinah Washington or Sarah Vaughn on this tune any day. I implore you, B.B., please get back to treatin' Lucille right and Dr. Jizzohn, please gits back home to Nawlins and gimme some o' dat good ol' Iko Iko stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by str8nochaser    [ Reply ]
Past success does not grant permission to turn out crap.
Posted 19 years ago by dwa375    [ Reply ]
The real recording was played on RP just the other day. And now we hear this one. Oh, well . . .
Posted 19 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Great song done by one of the all time greats. thanks Bill, ths brought a smile to my face this morning. lovin the King!
Posted 19 years ago by fortyonejb    [ Reply ]
Bodhisattva wrote:
Nice segue from Squirrel Nuts... :highfive:
again... but a good transition nonetheless.....
Posted 19 years ago by bmeador    [ Reply ]
lysdexic wrote:
Great tune. Like the Joe Jackson version better though. Much less loungy...
Ya, this is too slick by half.
Posted 19 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
What I like is BB playing inside a song instead of the "BB lick" that dominates all his blues stuff.
Posted 19 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
lysdexic wrote:
Great tune. Like the Joe Jackson version better though. Much less loungy...
Second that. Joe puts more energy into it.
Posted 19 years ago by ludwig7    [ Reply ]
cool. i have the Bing Crosby of this. I like it
Posted 20 years ago by callum    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from Squirrel Nuts... :highfive.gif:
Posted 20 years ago by Bodhisattva    [ Reply ]
Captn_Pea wrote:
Nice Tune.... The King and The Dr. not bad.. Good stuff. :D
Ditto!
Posted 20 years ago by ScopArch    [ Reply ]
Wow! The Dr. and B.B. King together! Who'da thought?
Posted 20 years ago by Detlaps    [ Reply ]
Platypus wrote:
always reminds me of that Tom & Jerry episode...
Indeed. Now we need someone to upload Roy Rogers singing "If you're ever down in Texas, look me up"!
Posted 20 years ago by jbuhler    [ Reply ]
always reminds me of that Tom & Jerry episode...
Posted 20 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Great tune. Like the Joe Jackson version better though. Much less loungy...
Posted 20 years ago by lysdexic    [ Reply ]
Nice Tune.... The King and The Dr. not bad.. Good stuff. :D
Posted 22 years ago by Captn_Pea    [ Reply ]
I don\'t care if it\'s B.B. King. It sounds like bad old lounge music and I don\'t like it.
Posted 22 years ago by splacknuck    [ Reply ]