"The Devil's Mad" (Virgin Island Gospel) & "The Devil Is Mad" (USA R&B/Gospel)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series about songs that have versions whose lyrics include a reference to the devil being mad. This post showcases the song "The Devil's Mad" that is featured as part of a Gospel medley from the Virgin Islands, and the song "The Devil Is Mad", a United States Rhythm & Blues/Gospel song from the 1950s.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/05/songs-about-devil-being-mad-part-i-aint.html for Part I of this series. The titles of the showcased songs in that post are "I Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More", "Oh You Can't Get To Heaven", and "I've Been Redeemed".

The content of this post is provided for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers and arrangers of these songs. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. In addition, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
Lines in each song about the devil being mad are written in italics to highlight them.

Example #1: "THE DEVIL'S MAD [Virgin Island Gospel]
Lyrics:
The devil is mad but I am glad
Glory Hallelujah
He lost that soul he thought he had
Glory Hallelujah

The devil has on the hypocrite's shoes
Glory Hallelujah
And if you don't mind he'll put it on you
Glory Hallelujah

I don't know why Satan hate me so
Glory Hallelujah

He had me once and he let me go
Glory Hallelujah

The devil is mad but I am glad
Glory Hallelujah
He lost that soul he thought he had
Glory Hallelujah

(repeat verse)

Source: http://caribatheist.blogspot.com/2011/01/shine-light-on-reason-medley-reworking.html
This blogger reworked the lyrics to the six songs in the Shine Your Light vocal group's religious medley to remove any religious references. He or she wrote "I have taken a medley produced by a group from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean known as "Shine the Light." This medley with an infectious calypso beat is a favourite of mine and is popular throughout the Caribbean. I have, shall we say, put a bit of an atheistic spin on it." ...
-snip-
I don't know who composed the "Devl's Mad" song or the other songs in that medley. Nor do I know when those songs were composed or whether any of those songs have their sources in songs from continental United States.

Here's a sound file of the medley that includes this song:

Medley - Shine the Light



Riddim Galore, Uploaded on Nov 25, 2009

http://shinethelightmusic.com/ This is the gospel group Shine the Light, from the US Virgin Islands. MEDLEY- GOODBYE WORLD - JESUS LOOK WHERE YOU BROUGHT ME FROM - DEVIL IS MAD - THIS TRAIN - I CAN SEE - JESUS NAME SO SWEET –

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Example #2: THE DEVIL'S MAD (United States R&B/Gospel)
Lyrics:

1st verse:
I came to this conclusion
Heaven, I wanted in.
I went to see the preacher
Confessed all my sins.

Chorus:
Now the devil is mad
Yes the devil is mad
Oh the devil is mad at me
Mad as he can be

2nd verse:
I heard a mighty clam’ring.
Ooh, was I afraid.
I knew the devil was comin
So I turned and fled.

Chorus

[ Instrumental ]

3rd verse:
I ran on back to my house.
I told my mother what I done.
She fell down on her knees and prayed.
She said “I’m the unworthy one.”

Chorus:

4th verse:
I felt his presence near me.
I fell right on my knees.
I begged the Heavenly Father
Save me if You please.

Chorus:
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell
**
Here's a sound file of this song:

DOROTHEA FLEMING - THE DEVIL IS MAD



stompingsevens , Published on Jan 5, 2013


Boss gospel-tinged R'n'B belter! Available on a repro 45 [Jaguar records]
-snip-
The summary of another YouTube sound file of this song that was posted by Vince Kilroy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C0kx2JPLJY indicated that "The Devil Is Mad" was recorded in the 1950s[JAGUAR Label (3009)] .

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This concludes Part II of this series.

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Songs About The Devil Being Mad, Part I: "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More" song & spin offs

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series about songs that have versions whose lyrics include a reference to the devil being mad. The titles of the showcased songs for this post are "I Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More", "Oh You Can't Get To Heaven", and "I've Been Redeemed".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/05/part-ii-of-series-devils-mad-virgin.html for Part II of this series. That post showcases two songs with the title "The Devil's Mad". That post showcases the song "The Devil's Mad" that is featured as part of a Gospel medley from the Virgin Islands, and the song "The Devil Is Mad", a United States Rhythm & Blues/Gospel song from the 1950s.

The content of this post is provided for religious, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers and arrangers of these songs. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. In addition, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
Lines in each song about the devil being mad are written in italics to highlight them.

Example #1: Information About And An Early Example of "I Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More"
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=75082
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More
From: Q
Date: 25 Sep 05 - 07:50 PM

As a pure spiritual, "I Ain't Gonna Grieve" was found in St, Helena Island and in South Carolina. I don't have copies. Also reported from Georgia [collector's name] (White).

"I Ain't Gwine Grief Muh Lawd No Mo'" - Ballanta-Taylor, St. Helena Island Spirituals, p. 64
"Ain't Gwine Grieve My Lord No More" - Diton. Thirty-six South Carolina Spirituals.

It seems to have been taken over, changed and largely spread by white gospelers; then many secular derivatives developed.

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Subject: Lyr Add: I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE MY LORD ANYMORE
From: Stewie
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 09:22 PM

Meade's earliest reference is to White #70, referred to above by Q. I have transcribed the Walter Smith & Norman Woodlieff version from the Document reissue. I cannot decipher the fourth line of the first stanza: I have put in square brackets what it sounds like to me. Anyone know what it should be?

I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE MY LORD ANYMORE

I'm so glad and the devil's mad
I'm so glad and the devil's mad
I'm so glad and the devil's mad
[Lost more souls than he thought he had] (?)
I ain't a-gonna grieve my lord anymore
I ain't a-gonna grieve, I ain't a-gonna grieve
I ain't a-gonna grieve my lord anymore

Some go to church to sing and shout (x3)
Before six months they're all turned out
I ain't gonna grieve …

Just let me tell you what the hypocrites do (x3)
They talk about me and they talk about you
I ain't a-gonna grieve …

You can't go to heaven in your powder and paint (x3)
For the lord will know that you're no saint
I ain't a-gonna grieve …

You can talk about me as much as you please (x3)
I'll talk about you down on my knees
I ain't a-gonna grieve …

Source: transcription of Smith & Woodlieff 'I Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord Anymore' recorded in Richmond, Ind, on 30 March 1929 and issued as Supertone 9494. Reissued on Walter Smith & Friends Vol I Document DOCD-8062.
-snip-
Q posted a comment suggesting that the words in brackets probably were "the devil's mad
Lost two souls that he thought he had." The word "two" referring to the two men singing that song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/aint-gonna-grieve-my-lord-no-more.html for more comments about and for two video of examples of renditions of examples of "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More".

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Example #2: You Can't Get To Heaven
Editor's Note: This song, also known as "Oh, You'll Never Get To Heaven", is a spin off of the song "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More" in that verses of "You Can't Get To Heaven" comprise the bulk of the many "Ain't Gonna Grieve" songs. Also, both songs have the same tune and the same call & response format.

Here's a video and transcription of an example of "You Can't Get To Heaven":

Charlie plays "You Can't Get To Heaven" at home



vafolklife, Published on May 23, 2013

Charlie McClendon plays some religious music at home in Newport News. This video clip is part of a larger online exhibit on the music and life of Charlie McClendon, legendary soul artist from Newport News, Virginia, and integral part of the "Norfolk Sound." For more videos, soundclips and photographs of Charlie, please visit www.virginiafolklife.org/McClendon
-snip-
Lyrics:*
You can’t get to heaven in ah rockin chair.
No no no.
You can’t get to heaven in ah rockin chair.
You can’t get to heaven in ah rockin chair.
Because ah rockin chair don’t go
nowhere.
You can’t get to heaven in ah limousine.
(I don’t care how much money you got.)
You can’t get to heaven in ah limousine.
You can’t get to heaven in ah limousine.
You see God don’t sell no gas, no gasoline.
He don’t sell no gas, ya’ll.

You see the devil and me
We both disagree.
I don’t like him
And he don’t like me.
I know he’s mad
Because I won.
I shot him down
With my Holy Ghost gun.

There’s only one way.
There’s only one way.
There’s only one way
That you can get there.
You see, there’s only one way.
There’s only one way.
There’s only one way
That you can get there.
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell from the recording.

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Example #3: "I've Been Redeemed" [By the blood of the Lamb.]
Editor's Note: This song is a spin off of the song "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More" in that verses of that song may be found in "I've Been Redeemed". Also, both songs have the same tune and have the same call & response format. People may be surprised that such a religious song as "I've Been Redeemed" has its source in the entertainment/camp song "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More". However, "Ain't Gonna Grieve" (and "You Can't Get To Heaven") started out as religious songs.

As is the case with the other two featured songs in this post, there are multiple versions of the song "I've Been Redeemed". Some of those versions such as the sound file featured below, don't include the "devil mad" verse or any other verse that mentions the devil. It should also be noted that there are other religious songs with the title "I've Been Redeemed" that aren't related to this featured song.

Here are two text examples of this song.

Text Example #1:
This example includes verses about the devil:

I'VE BEEN REDEEMED
(Author and copyright Unknown)

I've been redeemed (echo)
By the blood of the Lamb. (echo)
I've been redeemed (echo)
by the blood of the Lamb. (echo)
I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Filled with the Holy Spirit I am
All my sins are washed away;
I've been redeemed.

But that's not all; (echo)
There's more besides: (echo)
(repeat)
But that's not all; there's more besides:
I've been to the water and I've been baptized.
All my sins are washed away;
I've been redeemed.

Now the Devil's mad; (echo)
And I'm so glad. (echo)
(repeat)
Now the Devil's mad and I'm so glad;
He lost a sinner that he thought he had.
All my sins are washed away;
I've been redeemed.

They can talk about us (echo)
Just as much as they please; (echo)
(repeat)
They can talk about us just as much as they please;
We'll talk about them down on our knees.
All our sins are washed away;
We've been redeemed.

Source: http://www.hymns.net/lyrics/ivebeenredeemed.txt

*alternate words: "Saved and sanctified I am."

**
Text Example #2:
This example doesn't include any verses about the devil, but does include the "never get to heaven on roller skates" verse that is found in many contemporary versions of "Ain't Gonna Grieve My Lord No More"/"Oh You'll Never Get To Heaven":

I've been redeemed (Echo)
By the blood of the Lamb (Echo)
(Repeat)
I've been redeemed
By the blood of the Lamb
Filled with the Holy Ghost, I am
All my sins are under the blood
I've been redeemed.

My Lord & I...
We got so close...
That He filled me with the Holy Ghost

You can talk about me...
As much as you please...
I'll talk about you down on my knees

Oh you can't get to heaven...
On roller skates...
You'll roll right by those pearly gates

And that's not all...
There's more besides...
I been to the river and I been baptized
I’ve been redeemed

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2WCQ1qCFeo [piano instrumental version]
The pianist Billy Pollard introduces this song by saying that children in his church sung this song in the 1970s (USA).

**
Here's a sound file of "I've Been Redeemed" whose lyrics don't include any reference to the devil:

Ive Been Redeemed - Carman



Jonna Leanne Greer Uploaded on Jul 2, 2010

Lyrics in black and white

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This concludes Part I of this series.

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Five Video Examples Of "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases five video examples of the African American religious song "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me". The title for this song is also given as "I'm So Glad" and as "Jesus Lifted Me". Comments about "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" and standard lyrics for this song are also included in this post.

The content of this post is provided for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers and arrangers of this song. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SONG
"I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" is categorized as an African American Spiritual (formerly known as "Negro Spirituals"). However I wonder if this song is in fact an early African American Gospel song and not a Spiritual. I've not yet found any information online as to when this song was collected, from whom (although the presumpti0on is that it was first sung by African Americans)besides , and where (although the presumption is that it was first sung in the Southern region of the United States).

A 2007 Mudcat Folk & Blues discussion thread that I participated in provided comments about and lyrics for the African American Spiritual "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" (http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=39217). That thread includes the comment from Q, a White Canadian male blogger that "I'm so glad" is used in several spirituals". Q posted the lyrics to the African American Spiritual "I'm So Glad (There's No Dying There)" and cited his sources as "Noble, G. C., 1911, "The Most Popular Plantation Songs," p. 63 with score [and] (Gibbs, W. J.), nd (1920s), "Negro Spirituals or The Songs of the Jubilee Singers," no. 32. Verses 1, 3, 5, with score." Q also wrote "Not known if this was included in the volume with songs of the original Jubilee Singers." The lyrics that are cited for that song can be sung using a call & response pattern.

Unfortunately, Q didn't identify any other titles of "I'm So Glad" African American Spirituals besides the featured song in that post and the "There's No Dying There" song. I wonder if that was one of the songs that Q referred to and if that song was included in those books that Q cited. It's also unfortunate that I've not been able to find a midi, sound file or video or anyone singing the song "I'm So Glad (There's No Dying There)".

In that same discussion thread I added comments about and lyrics for the song "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me". Following Q's comment I cited the titles of three "I'm So Glad" "Spirituals": "I'm so Glad I Got My 'ligion In Time", "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always", and I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me". However, I misspoke as instead of it being a separate song, I believe that "I'm So Glad I Got My Religion In Time" is often sung as a verse to "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always".

I also wrote that each of those songs "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" and "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" are both up-tempo but they have different tunes. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI5IODB1W_w for a video example of "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" by Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers.

I consider African American Spirituals to be those religious songs that are composed by African Americans which are documented to have been sung in the 19th century. Furthermore, African American Spirituals are usually call & response songs. "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" and "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" don't have a call & response pattern - at least they haven't had that pattern since at least the 1950s the earliest date that I remember those songs. However, like [other?] Spirituals, the lyrics to many of the verses to those songs aren't fixed and the verse order is also not fixed. Although I posted an example of "standard lyrics for "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" in that above mentioned Mudcat thread and in this post, other lyrics can be substituted for those words, and/or other verses can be added to those verses I gave. The same relative flexibility for its lyrics is true for "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always."

I wonder if people have categorized "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always" and "I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me" as African American spirituals because, like [other] Spirituals (it appears) that those two songs don't have any known composers. For the reasons I've mentioned I use quotation marks around the word "Spiritual" when I categorize both of those songs to reflect my questions about whether that categorization is really accurate.

Note that the video given as Example #4 below indicates that Gospel legends are singing "I'M So Glad Jesus Lifted Me. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that this song isn't a Spiritual, since a number of Spirituals and Hymns have been gospelized (sung in a Gospel style).

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STANDARD LYRICS FOR "I'M SO GLAD JESUS LIFTED ME"

1. I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,
I'm so glad, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.

2. Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
Satan had me bound, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.

3. When I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
when I was in trouble, Jesus lifted me,
singing glory, hallelujah,
Jesus lifted me.

Source: http://www.hymnsite.com/fws/hymn.cgi?2151
That website categorizes this song as an African American Spiritual.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES OF "I'M SO CLAD JESUS LIFTED ME"
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Example #1: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me- Hamilton Landrum, song leader



pkteemax, Uploaded on Nov 23, 2009

Sunday morning worship at Kings coC in Brooklyn, NY.
-snip-
"coC" is probably the "Church Of Christ" denomination. I don't know if this is the same denomination as the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) or the United Church of Christ (UCC).

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Example #2: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me- Liberty City church of Christ



pkteemax, Uploaded on May 26, 2010

Sunday morning during offereing time.Church located in Detroit, Michigan.

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Example #3: Chris Turner - I'm So Glad (Jesus Lifted Me)



humbleisdaway, Published on Aug 13, 2012

chris leading songs at the new golden heights anniversary celebration.

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Example #4: Donald Vails/Claude Timmons Live/The Gospel Legends/I'm So Glad!



TrueGospelMan, Published on Feb 5, 2013

The gospel legends singing: I'm So Glad & Bye and Bye. Brief Horace Boyer Interview
-snip-
This video clip is actually a medley that includes the song "Bye And Bye (Everyday will be Sunday Bye And Bye)". Notice the polyrhythmic clapping.

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Example #5: Pastor HB Charles Jr. 'I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me/Glory Glory Halleujah' Medley



BrothaRollins Published on Aug 22, 2013
After Sermon & Benediction Medley
-snip-
A commentor (MrG, 2013) identified this church's denomination by writing "This is straight up Missionary Baptist Church." ("This is straight up" means "This is very characteristic of".

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The Fame Movie's Version Of The Christian Hymn "Never Alone"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of & lyrics to the Fame Gospel Choir's gospelized rendition of the 1897 Christian hymn "Never Alone". Click http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/688 for an instrumental only example of the standard arrangement of this song.

Fame is the title of a 1980 American movie about a fictionalized group of students who attend the New York Music & Arts High School. That movie was later adapted and presented as a television series.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Ludie D. Pickett, the composer of the hymn "Never Alone" (1897) and thanks to the arranger, singes, and musicians of this gospelized version of "Never Alone". In addition, thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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SHOWCASE SOUNDFILE: Fame Gospel Choir - Never Alone



Hans vd Linden, Uploaded on Aug 2, 2011

If you want to buy this song or album: http://amzn.to/KeKOnJ

"Never Alone" - performed by the Contemporary Gospel chorus of the High School of music and art. A underestimated but uplifting song from the 1980's movie "Fame". A song of comfort for everyone who feels (or thinks he/she is) lost and lonely.

Never Alone Lyrics:

I've seen the lightning flashing, I've heard the thunder roll
I've felt sin's breakers dashing, trying to conquer my soul
I've heard the voice of Jesus telling me to fight on
He promised never to leave me, no, never alone

Never alone, never alone, oh, never
Never alone, never alone
He'll never leave you alone

The world's fierce winds are blowing, temptations sharp and keen
I felt a peace in knowing my Savior stands between
He stands to shield me from danger when earthly friends are gone
He promised never to leave me, no, never alone

Never alone, never alone, oh, never
Never alone, never alone
He'll never leave you alone

He'll never leave you alone

When in affliction's valley, I'm treading the road with care
My Savior helps me to carry a cross too heavy to bear
My feet entangled with briers, ready to cast me down

He'll never leave you alone

When in affliction's valley, I'm treading the road with care
My Savior helps me to carry a cross too heavy to bear
My feet entangled with briers, ready to cast me down

He'll never leave you alone

Never, never, never
Never, never, never
Never, never, never

Oh, He'll never leave you alone

Photograph by Shorpy: October 1938. Crowley, Louisiana. "Crowd of people waiting for Cajun band contest to begin at the National Rice Festival." Nnegative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration.
-snip-
From http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/sounds/Hymns/never_alone.htm: The lyrics to the Christian hymn "Never Alone" was composed by Ludie D. Pickett (1897)

Here are several comments about this rendition of "Never Alone" from that sound file's discussion thread:

arweiss100, 2012
"This is the official version performed by the Contemporary Gospel Chorus of the High School of music and art on the Official Original motion picture soundtrack & in the film, "Fame". One of my favorite songs all my life. Just an amazing song of sublime power, beauty, & grace, so uplifting & inspiring..as this choir raises their voices to the sky."

**
arweiss100, 2012
"1:24 amazing what just an upright piano & tambourine can say and it can lift you up."

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edumup1 year ago
in reply to arweiss100
"Don't leave out the handclapping as well."

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mshawk2ee2 years ago
in reply to arweiss100
"with a good old-fashioned polyclap!!"

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Andrea Wright, 2013
"I went to Music & Art from 1979-1982. Was in the Gospel Chorus. This Gospel Chorus!! Not an easy song to sing but the end result......well you can hear it!! Thanks to Anthony Evans & Curtis Smith (Muzic Maykr)!!! Trying to find more of our music"

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delocon36, 2013
"This was the B side of the original 7" vinyl disc of the signature song Fame from first release 81 or 82 v love this song since I was a kid, memories"

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Joi Atkins, 2014
in reply to delocon36
"Fame" was sung by Irene Cara from same movie, released 1980; this is the B side of same, and the one side I listened to often, as you can hear why from the uplifting gospel lyrics and beat.

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Examples Of "The Wop" Line Dances and "Da Wop" Line Dances

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases selected line dances to J. Dash's 2007 song "The Wop" and 2012 Lil Chuckee's song "Da Wop". Information about the musical term "wop" when used as a referent for a dance, music lyrics, and record titles is also given in this post. In addition, links to the video examples of the 1980s-1990s "Wop" dance are also provided in this post.

This post also provides a general description of African American line dancing (which is also referred to as "soul line dancing).

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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THE ORIGIN OF THE MUSIC & DANCE TERM "WOP"
The term "Wop" in the 1980s/1990s dance "The Wop", the song 2007 titled "The Wop" and the 2012 song titled "Da Wop" probably all come from the syllable "wop" that is used to as a referent for and lyrics in the ub-section of Rhythm & Blues music called "Doo-Wop". In that music the syllables "doo wop" are used to imitate the sound of bass instrumental music.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doo-wop#Origins_of_name
...["Doo Wop" is] "both a description and category for R&B vocal group harmony.

From the outset, singers gathered on street corners, and in subways, generally in groups of three to six. They sang a cappella arrangements, and used wordless onomatopeia to mimic instruments since instruments were little used: the bass singing "bom-bom-bom", a guitar rendered as "shang-a-lang" and brass riffs as "dooooo -wop-wop".
-snip-
Little Richard's now classic song "Tutti Frutti" is among other 1950s Rhythm & Blues and Rock & Roll songs that include the syllable "wop". The refrain to that song is "Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!" although in earlier versions of that song Little Richard sang it as "Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam bam!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kM1khne_sg)

That said, the syllable "wop" may have been used then and may be used now simply because of its percussive sound, and the images it can evoke of forcefully flinging something (such as your hips and butt) from side to side.

It should be noted that the use of the syllable "wop" as a referent to a form of R&B music and as titles to R&B dances or songs have nothing whatsoever to do with the pejorative term "Wops".

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INFORMATION ABOUT "THE WOP" DANCE AND "THE WOP" & "DA WOP" RECORDS
"The Wop" (sometimes spelled "the whop") was a R&B/Hip-Hop dance from the 1980s-1990s. Dancers did "the Wop" to any song whose beat they felt worked with those movements. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/10/videos-of-old-school-hip-hop-dances.html for video examples of that old school dance (Video Examples #1 and #Video Example #5)

"The Wop" is also the title of a 2007 Hip-Hop song that was recorded by J. Dash. That record appears to be frequently used for particular examples of choreographed line dances which have similar moves.*

"Da Wop" is the title of a Hip-Hop song that record that was recorded by a sixteen year old New Orleans, Louisiana rapper whose stage name is "Lil [Little] Chuckee". "Da" here is a Hip-Hop languaing way of saying "the". There are multiple versions of the "Da Wop" record including "explicit", "clean", and "instrumental". The record "Da Wop" may be used as a line dance*, but it appears that people usually dance "the Twerk" to this record.

"Clean" versions of both of these songs are found as background to the selected examples of the line dances that are showcased in this post. Line dances to both of these records appear to still be performed to date.(2014).

*"Line dances" are choreographed dances that are performed by groups of people who stand in horizontal lines. African Americans usually perform line dances to slow or fast R&B music and to R&B/Hip-Hop musicHip-Hop music. African American line dances are also performed to Rock & Roll music and to Gospel music. One characteristic feature of line dances is that females and males and people of all ages can & often do perform those dances together. In addition to line dance classes, these types of dances are frequently performed at wedding receptions, adult birthday parties, high school and college graduation parties, nightclubs, at exercise classes, at social gatherings devoted to line dancing, and at other types of social events. Non-African Americans also perform R&B/Hip-Hop line dances and other types of line dances (for instance, to Country & Western music) at the same types of venues.

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LINE DANCES TO J. DASH'S "THE WOP"
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Example #1: How To Do The Wop (Official Version) *****WOP & NEW ALBUM now on iTunes & Amazon!!!



Stereofame, Uploaded on Jun 25, 2009

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Example #2: WOP CONTEST



TheDiiVABABii's channel, Uploaded on Jan 3, 2012

GAMMA PHI GAMMA AND TAU BETA TECH PRESENTS WOP

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Example #3: J. Dash - WOP Official Video



BeatKiller98, Published on May 3, 2012

WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP

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Example #4: 5 Star May Workshop - W.O.P.



Tempestt Boone, Published on May 29, 2012

5 Star Instructions Line Dance Group monthly workshop held in Hampton Va
Wop Line Dance created by Benita Stewart-Rucker

Music by J Dash- Wop
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/02/nine-soul-line-dances.html for another version of a line dance that is performed to this record.

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LINE DANCES TO J. DASH'S "DA WOP"
These videos are posted in chronological order with the videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Example #1: Little Richard Line Dance



Wendy Jones, Published on May 8, 2013
Stepabovetherest [Omaha, Nebraska]

Lil Chuckee's Da Wop

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Example #2: Line Dance Da wop/Drop



Dawn Avery, Published on Jul 14, 2013
Dancin Deeva's doing "Da wop/Drop" at the Phoenix 70s party

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Example #3: Stand routines - Choreographer Dee Perkins [cheerleading "stand" routine]



HBCUDance, Published on Mar 19, 2013
-snip-
This video is from a cheerleading workshop that preceded the 2013 try-outs that were held the following day for the Albany State University's cheerleading (dance) squad.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/dance-stand-routines-from-hbcu-dance.html for additional examples of these stand routines

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How "Bye Felicia" Became A Popular Catchphrase

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides information and comments about the saying "Bye Felicia".

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

WARNING: Some quotes included in this post contain profanity. Those words are partly spelled with asterisks.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in the showcased video and thanks to the publisher of that video on YouTube

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WHERE DID THE "BYE FELICIA" CATCHPHRASE COME FROM?
Since at least 2013, "Bye Felicia" has become the "in" putdown phrase to use to get rid of someone who is annoying. In addition to there being a number of recently posted bad (as in not that good) Hip-Hop records with that title, the phrase "Bye Felicia" can be found on Facebook and Twitter, prompting some people (such as me) to wonder who is or who was Felicia and why people are so glad to see her gone.

It turns out that "Felicia" (actually "Felisha") is the name of a female character in the 1995 African American comedy/drama movie Friday. Felisha was a crack addict who was constantly asking to borrow things. In this scene from the movie, the two main characters respond to her begging by decisively saying "Bye".

WARNING: The movie (as well as this scene) includes profanity.

friday clip



HyFlyer988Uploaded on Mar 11, 2007

felisha beggin

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WAS "BYE FELICIA" USED AS A SAYING PRIOR TO 2013?
According to two bloggers whose comments I found on different online sites, the saying "Bye Felicia" was used by African Americans before the 1995 African American comedy/drama movie Friday first aired. [The pertinent statements are given in italics].

From http://soletstalkabout.com/post/61684214956/byefelicia-is-not-some-random-bitch
...."Bye Felicia" is straight from Friday, the scene where Felicia — the neighborhood crackhead — stops by Craig’s house while he and Smokey are hanging out on the porch. She asks them if they’re smoking so she can get a hit. And then she asks Smokey to borrow his car real quick. The whole exchange ends with “Bye Felicia” and that has been a saying for black folks since the mid-1990s."
-dragofficial, 19 September 2013
-snip-
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me4rXr73EYE
Nunu Hurt, May 2014 [comment]
felicia was debbie's sister on friday. she was sleeping with debo. felicia was always begging for stuff. she asked craig if she could, "borrow yo' car right quick...what you smokin' on, etc.." if you didn't give her beggin' ass stuff she'd call you stingy. when she came by craig, smokey, and them would say, "BYE FELICIA." we have been saying bye to "Felicia" for about 20 years. it's just a meme on facebook now that's why people say it".
-snip-
While it may be true that Black folks (here probably meaning African Americans) have been using "Bye Felicia" as a dismissive put down for twenty years, I personally don't recall using it, hearing it used, or even reading it until very recently. That said, I definitely recall hearing, reading, (but not using) the word "Bye" in the same way that "Bye Felicia" is used nowadays.

And, if "Bye Felicia" really has been used by Black people as a phrase that means more than its literal meaning, it's curious that websites which lists quotable quotes* from that classic or near classic movie don't include that "Bye Felicia" quote.

*There are many quotes listed from Friday and most of those quotes contain profanity and/or what is known as the n-word.

However, urban dictionary.com contains a definition for "Bye Felicia" from 2008. That's the earliest online use of that phrase that I've found besides the YouTube clip given above. Here's that entry:
"When someone says that they're leaving and you could really give two sh&ts less that they are. Their name then becomes "felicia", a random bi&ch that nobody is sad to see go. They're real name becomes irrelevant because nobody cares what it really is. Instead, they now are "felicia".
"hey guys i'm gonna go"
"bye felicia"
"who is felicia?"
"exactly bi&th.* buh bye."
-pimpin'817 December 07, 2008, http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bye%20felicia
-snip-
I used "&" instead of fully spelling out those two words as they are found in that quote.

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THE CHANGING USE OF "BYE FELICIA"
As suggested in some of the comments given above, by at least 2008, "Bye Felicia" was used as a dismissive put down to people regardless of their name or their gender. The person addressed as "Felicia" no longer has to be a freeloader (a person who is always asking to borrow stuff). Instead, a person can say "Bye Felicia" to a person because she or he is annoying, or outrageous, or because you consider that person to be insignificant, or just because you don't like her or him and/or you don't like what that person has done. In other words, "Bye Felicia" has become the latest "in" (hip/cool) way of putting someone down, similarly to the "talk to the hand" ('cause the face ain't listening) saying and gesture which is still used but was a real hot ("in") thing to do and/or to say in the 1990s.

For those interested in understanding how "Bye Felicia" is currently being used, it's important to recognize that that phrase doesn't necessarily mean that the person being called "Felicia" (whether it is a female or a male) has to be actually leaving somewhere. That phrase means that you wish that that person would leave or you are treating that person as if she or he has already left because you hold her or him in so little regard.

As is the case with the insult "game" known as "The Dozens", a person who is told "Bye Felicia" is supposed to act like he or she isn't phased (bothered) by that insult. Indeed, one usual response is to pretend that you didn't even hear that putdown.

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HOW "BYE FELICIA" BECAME A POPULAR MEME
The phrase "Bye Felicia" can be found throughout Facebook and Twitter since at least the mid 2013. How did that happen?

Here are the conclusions that I reached as a result of my research:
1. Its use by some Gay people
The current popularity of the phrase "Bye Felicia" can be traced to it being adopted by (but not coined by) drag artists or other members of the American Gay community.

From http://soletstalkabout.com/post/61684214956/byefelicia-is-not-some-random-bitch
..."So can we please give credit where credit is due, and get this random white drag queen off of this meme like this just randomly burst forth from the gay consciousness last month? I like Vicky Vox and I think she’s funny. I also thought it was funny when she randomly used it in the song. And then here comes the gay white internet passing this around like we haven’t been saying it for almost 20 years already. This sh&t is old, and as usual, black people started it."
-dragofficial, 19 September 2013
-snip-
Notice the same statement that was given above that Black people (here meaning African Americans) have been using "Bye Felicia" for almost twenty years.

That commentor is referring to the song "Blurred Byne" by drag queens DWV (Detox, Willam & Vicky Vox). Here's a link to that video [WARNING: That video contains profanity and content that contains sexualized content] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr51afj7eJY (The "Bye Felicia" phrase is spoken in that video and is written on the video's screen at 2:48).

That YouTube video was published on Sep 11, 2013 and has over two million hits to date.

**
2. Its use in a segment of the American reality television show Bad Girls Club (Miami) on August 2013.
From http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13s4xo_bad-girls-club-bgc-miami-bonus-bye-felicia_shortfilms
"BGC Miami Bonus: Bye Felicia!

Teresa, Jazmone and Tiana talk trash* about Sarah in the green room at the photo shoot.
Capture date : 08/26/2013
Publication date : 08/28/2013
Duration : 01:11"

The Bad Girl Club is an American reality television series about the interactions between a number of young women who live together. In this particular scene, two Black women and one White woman are filmed sitting on the couch casually talking with each other about how much they dislike another housemate Sarah (who is White). The camera is on the White woman (Teresa) when one of the Black women (Jazmone?) continues her rant by sharing that she wants to say to Sarah: “Bye Felicia. Yes, go home, Roger.”

Although that segment predates the "Blurred Byne" song, my guess is that television segment may not have driven or be driving the "Bye Felicia" meme as much as the use by members of the Gay community.

*Talk trash here means “saying mean things about someone; talking about someone behind his or her back”. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_trash for or what I believe is the more common meaning of trash talk among African Americans

3. Other examples of the use of the catchphrase "Bye Felicia"
Recently (May 2014) the phrase "Bye Felicia" was used by Kenya Moore to Nene Leakes on The Real Housewives Of Atlanta Reunion show. She used that phrase in the same way that I've heard African Americans say "You're dismissed" (to discount what a person has said, or done, or that person's existence).

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"Bye Felicia" was used by RuPaul in a segment of RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked Season 6 (2014). http://www.frequency.com/video/i-love-how-rupaul-mentioned-byefelicia/158231297/-/5-671972

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[Speaking of RuPaul's Drag Race Untucked Season 6], Here's a comment that demonstrates how "Bye Felicia" is used as a dismissive putdown:

From http://www.dragofficial.com/phil/the-sickening-rupauls-drag-race-season-6-cast-ru-vealed
Dylan, 12/08/2013 3:28pm
"Not enough women of color this year.

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Uh, wha?, 12/08/2013 5:44pm
“1 Asian, 4 Latino and 2 African American contestants aren't enough people of color? That's half the cast.

Bye Felicia.”

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The actress who portrayed Felisha in the movie Friday exchanged tweets with (former MSNBC newscaster) now sports commentator Keith Olbermann:
From http://www.keitholbermann.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=38816
Bye Felicia" thread (b/c Keith just got a tweet from her!)

Post by Marie » Sat Sep 28, 2013 1:36 am
"This is so cute! #TheRealFelicia sounds like such a nice down-to-earth person. She's been getting a large charge out of the familiarity with and the use this catchphrase, and this morning she contacted Keith -- to his great surprise! =D>"
-snip-
Angela Means wrote to Keith Obermann in his role as a sports commentator to talk about her son who is a football player.

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There are a number of Hip-Hop songs on YouTube with the title "Bye Felicia". I think those songs are a response to the popularity of this catchphrase and not how that phrase became popular.

The videos for all of those songs that I've listened to are from 2014 but it's possible that those songs may have been recorded earlier than that. I'm not including links to those videos in part because of the profanity included in their lyrics and also because I personally don't consider any of those songs to be that good.

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UPDATE: December 22, 2014
I omitted mention of the American television show entitled "Bye Felicia" which started airing in November 2014. Here's some information about that VH1 tv program:
From http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/19/vh1-bye-felicia_n_6188070.html
Posted: 11/19/2014 6:00 pm EST
VH1 Set To Boost The Confidence Of 'White Girls' In New Series, 'Bye Felicia'
"Ice Cube’s now-popular catch phrase “Bye Felicia” from his 1995 classic film, “Friday,” has now developed into the name of a new VH1 reality series.

According to a press release , "Bye Felicia" is an 8-episode series that will follow Atlanta-based life coaches [African Americans] Deborah Hawkes and Missy Young in an effort to increase the self-esteem of “white girls across the Los Angeles area.”...
-snip-
According to that article and others, many people who have watched episodes of this series aren't impressed with it. I agree.

Apparently, the concept is that a number of White women have a "Felicia" persona in them- a low self-concept that causes them to be less than who they could be. And these self-appointed? life coaches' goal is to get those women to say "Bye Felicia!" to that part of themselves. Instead, I-and others-have said "Bye Felicia!" to that series.

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What "Sissy That Walk" Means (with video examples)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents a definition of and information about the saying "Sissy that walk!" This post also includes six video examples of people "sissying their walk".

The content of this post is provided for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured on these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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WHAT "SISSY THAT WALK" MEANS
"Sissy that walk" is a saying that means "to walk with a very noticeable or an exaggerated switch or strut".

The word "sissy" is a diminutive form of the word "sister". In its capitalized form it has been used as a nickname for a female sibling - i.e. American actress "Sissy Spacek".

The word "sissy" has also been used as a taunting referent to a male who some believe acts feminine. While that switching style of walking is most closely associated with female catwalk fashion models, the saying "Sissy that walk" is probably most closely associated with drag queens. In that sense, "Sissy that walk" means to walk like a female, but not just any female- a self-confident female catwalk model who isn't afraid of strutting her stuff.

"Sissy that walk!" may be voiced as an imperative sentence (a command) or as a statement of approval for the way that the person being addressed is already walking.

The saying "sissy that walk" is being popularized in 2014 by recording artist, producer, and enteprenuer, RuPaul Charles in his American television show RuPaul's Drag Race, in his recorded song "Sissy That Walk" and elsewhere. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4d20Tyzlv0 for a link to the official music video of that song. (Warning: That song includes mild profanity and some comments on that discussion thread also contain profanity.)

Here are two comments from that YouTube discussion thread:
Suzy Hernandez, May 2014
"I haven't loved a new pop song in a very long time... I hear this in my head when walking around town and it makes me Sissy That Walk. Gotta love trends being set by a 53 year old man dressing up in women's clothing."
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Arnold S, May 2014
"That is now my daily affirmation "If I fly or if I fall, I gave it my all. Now, SISSY THAT WALK!""
-snip-
Here's information about how RuPaul came to use that saying:
From http://www.billboard.com/articles/6084802/rupaul-sissy-that-walk-video-premiere-drag-race-exclusive
RuPaul, 'Sissy That Walk': Exclusive Video Premiere By Keith Caulfield | May 12, 2014 2:15 PM EDT
“Fun fact: the phrase "Sissy That Walk" came to RuPaul by way of his friend, writer Rich Juzwiak, who heard a parent screaming the line at their kid in a child beauty pageant.”
-snip-
Given the fact that most of the children who compete in beauty pageants are female, it's likely that the parent who screamed "Sissy that walk" directed that comment to his daughter because he wanted her to walk "harder" (with more verve).
-snip-
Here's a brief clip of RuPaul on the Queen Latifah talk show using that "Sissy that walk" saying:

"Sissy That Walk" With RuPaul and Queen Latifah



Queen Latifah Published on Mar 31, 2014

RuPaul notices a fierce pair of shoes in the audience and tells her to "sissy that walk.".
-snip-
RuPaul incorporates some voguing hand movements when he demonstrates how to "sissy that walk". Cleo, the audience member with the sylish shoes does that hand movement while seated. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/03/waacking-and-voguing-street-dances-part_5.html for Part II of a pancocojams series on voguing.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT
The word "sissy" has long been a pejorative referent for males who are gay or males who are said to "act gay". However, when it is used by drag queens, the "sissy that walk" saying is a positive command or encouragement that means that that the person is "strutting" his (or her) stuff" . In other words, a person who is "sissying that walk" is really "walking that walk", "working it ("werking it"), "shaking his or her thing- with "thing" meaning "butt". In that sense, the saying "sissy that walk" may be an indication that - at least to some extent - members of the gay community are reclaiming the word "sissy", removing the pejorative connotations from that word. That said, I believe that it is still usually very hurtful for boys to be called a sissy.

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FEATURED VIDEOS THAT SHOWCASE PEOPLE "SISSYING THEIR WALK"
These videos are posted in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated videos presented first.

Example #1: Briannet Borrego'model,niña modelando,modelaje,hna actriz Liannet Borrego



montana1664 Uploaded on Mar 10, 2009

La graduacion del primer curso de modelaje de Briannet Borrego(4 añitos)
-snip-
I think the English translation for this Italian sentence is "The graduation for the first class [course?} of Briannet Borrego school of modeling (children age four years).

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Example #2: Diva Davanna walk at the "So you think you can walk modeling competition"

.

Joe Clarke, Uploaded on May 18, 2010

Diva Davanna struts her stuff at this modeling competition. The models her needed to take some real lessons from this Diva as she delivers the cutting edge moves needed to represent any brand.

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Example #3: ORPHEE BLACK FEMALE MODELS RUNWAY & SWIMWEAR SHOW, produced by ORPHEE!



ORPHEUSS100, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2011

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Example #4: Raja Runway Season 3

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art pop, Published on Sep 23, 2012
-snip-
Raja is the winner of RuPaul Drag Race, Season #3.
-snip-
Warning: One of the songs played in this compilation contains mild profanity.

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Example #5: Rupaul's Drag Race Season 6 looks - Sissy That Walk



locoreptilectric, Published on Apr 28, 2014

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UPDATE: June 4, 2014
Click http://abc.go.com/shows/sing-your-face-off/video/most-recent/VDKA0_xbteoq0o for a recent video of RuPaul showing how he "sissies that walk" on the ABC television show "Sing Your Face Off". Rupaul was serving as a celebrity judge for that competition.

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