What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)

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"What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)"
What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again).png
Single by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
B-side "The Chicks I Pick Are Slender and Tender and Tall"
Released1942
Label Decca
Songwriter(s) Bubsy Meyers

"What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)" is a song written by Bubsy Meyers, performed by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, recorded in July 1942, and released on the Decca label (catalog no. 8645). The "B" side of the record was "The Chicks I Pick Are Slender and Tender and Tall". [1] [2]

The record peaked at No. 1 on Billboard 's race record chart and remained on the chart for 14 weeks. [3] It was Jordan's first No. 1 record. [4]

In a November 1942 review in The Billboard, M. H. Orodenker wrote: "The trumpet, with plenty of 'hicks' to his hot horn licks, establishes the mood right from the edge." [2]

The song was included in the 1977 compilation, The Best of Louis Jordan. [5] It was covered by Joe Jackson on his 1981 release Joe Jackson's Jumpin' Jive . [6]

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References

  1. "Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five – What's The Use Of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again) / The Chicks I Pick Are Slender And Tender And Tall". Discogs. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  2. 1 2 M. H. Orodenker (November 14, 1942). "On the Records". The Billboard. p. 22.
  3. Joel Whitburn (1988). Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Record Research, Inc. p. 229. ISBN   0-89820-068-7.
  4. John Broven (13 January 2010). Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of the Independent Rock 'N' Roll Pioneers. First Illinois. p. 29. ISBN   9780252077272.
  5. "The Best of Louis Jordan". AllMusic. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  6. DeGagne, Mike. "Jumpin' Jive - Joe Jackson | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 18 May 2021.