Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Cocoanut Oil

Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Cocoanut Oil, also known as Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut Oil is a 1932 song of Bahamian origin, first recorded by Mart Britt and his Orchestra, but most famous in the version by Count Basie. The lyrics describe a woman suffering from alcoholism. [1] The song has become a jazz standard.

Background and lyrics

The song originates from Nassau, Bahamas, where it was sung at jumping dance and fire dance ceremonies.[2] [3] It describes a woman, "mama", who prefers drinking brandy and rum over peas, rice, coconut oil, whiskey or gin - "because it makes her sin." She complains about "a pain in her chest, because the food papa gives her won't digest." The song was first recorded in 1932 by Mart Britt and his Orchestra. [4]

Count Basie

Jazz band leader Count Basie recorded the song on 6 June 1938 [5], with lyrics provided by Louis Wolfe Gilbert and L. Charles and a vocal performance by James Rushing. [6] This is by far the most famous version.

Notable recorded versions

Count Basie's version of the song was used in the film The Day of the Locust (1975). [16]

The song Peas and Rice by Swing Republic on their album Electro Swing Republic samples Basie's recording of this song. [17]

Sources
  1. https://www.loc.gov/item/flwpa000016/
  2. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  3. https://www.loc.gov/item/flwpa000016/
  4. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  5. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  6. https://archive.org/details/78_mama-dont-want-no-peas-an-rice-an-cocoanut-oil_count-basie-and-his-orchestra-jam_gbia0028181b
  7. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  8. http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/r1812
  9. Dodge, Timothy (2019-03-15). Rhythm and Blues Goes Calypso. ISBN 9781498530996.
  10. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  11. Springer, Robert (2006). Nobody Knows where the Blues Come from: Lyrics and History. ISBN 9781604737318.
  12. https://www.loc.gov/item/flwpa000016/
  13. http://www.mentomusic.com/lordlebby.htm
  14. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-versatile-burl-ives%21-mw0000863345
  15. https://www.allmusic.com/album/calypsos-from-jamaica-mw0000061239
  16. Barton Palmer, R. (2007-02-22). Twentieth-Century American Fiction on Screen. ISBN 9781139461689.
  17. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/391131/Swing-Republic-Peas-and-Rice-Count-Basie-and-His-Orchestra-Mama-Don%27t-Want-No-Peas-An%27Rice/
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