Smack Dab in the Middle
Charles Calhoun (1901-1999)
arr. Darmon Meader (b. 1961)
additional lyrics by Lauren Kinhan and Darmon Meader
Won’t cha throw me, jelly roll me
smack dab in the middle of it all.
Come an’ find me, wine an’ dine me,
and let me rock an’ roll to soothe my soul.
Pick me a town in any clime where
people like a rockin’ good time,
an’ stay awake both day an’ night,
‘til ev’rybody’s feelin’ good an’ right,
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Pitcha me (smack dab in the middle)
Chucka me
Smack dab in the middle,
an’ let me rock’n’roll to satisfy my soul.
I want ten Cadillacs an’ a diamond mill,
ten suits of clothes to dress to kill.
I wanna ten-room house an’ some barbeque,
an’ fifty chicks not over twenty two.
Then throw me (smack dab in the middle)
Chucka me (smack dab in the middle)
Pulla me
Smack dab in the middle, now,
an’ let me rock’n’roll to satisfy my soul.
I wanna lot o’ bread an’ gangs of meat,
oodles of butter an’ somethin’ sweet,
With loads o’ coffee just to wash it down,
Bicarbonate of soda by the pound.
Then throw me
Smack dab in the center, child.
I’m talkin’ ‘bout the holy ghost night.
Just throw me smack dab in the middle, now.
An’ let me rock’n’roll to satisfy my soul.
Let me rock, let me roll, let me satisfy my soul.
It’s the kind of constitution that your mama forbade.
Look out!
I’m a stucker for the center of a Tootsie Pop.
Take a look at the mess I’m in,
it’s a moral epidemic, they say.
When the drummer sets the feet to flyin’,
front an’ center’s where I’ll be.
Don’t knock it if you never would, ever could.
Anyone, anywhere would be dyin’ to satisfy it.
Just keep me rockin’ an’ reelin’
I want a swingin’ ol’ time, where ev’rybody’s feelin’ alright.
We gotta be raising’ the ceilin’.
Just keep the music playin’ on, an’ we’ll be singin’ all night.
I wanna be
Smack dab in the center,
an’ let me rock’n’roll to satisfy my soul.
Want a swingin’ band,
an’ a hundred fine ballet girls.
A street that’s paved with natural pearls.
Bring me a wagonload of bonds an’ stocks,
An’ open up the door to Fort Knox.
An’ throw me
Smack dab in the middle
Push me, shove me.
Let me rock, let me roll, let me satisfy my soul.
Smack dab in the middle, my friend, right from the top.
Take it straight to the end.
Smack dab in the middle
An’ let me rock an’ roll to satisfy my soul.
“Smack Dab in the Middle” was performed by Elizabeth Tait and Michael Vaughan (soloists), the Christian McBride Trio (Christian Sands, piano; Jerome Jennings, drums; and Christian McBride, bass) and the Houston Chamber Choir at the 2015-2016 season's “Just Gettin’ Started.”
