Long Tall Sally — Little Richard Lyrics

• Genre: Rock and Roll


• Lyricist: Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, Little Richard


• Composer: Robert Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, Little Richard


• Released: 1956


• Historical Facts: This song became a rock and roll staple and a major hit in 1956. It's one of Little Richard's most well-known songs, highlighting his dynamic and energetic performance style.
  


• Used in: The song has appeared in many films and TV series, establishing its place in pop culture history.

Artist Info:

He was born Richard Wayne Penniman, and he was an icon in this rock and roll genre. He was born in Macon, Georgia, in 1932. His flamboyant style with energy was a great way of defining the sound early in rock and roll. Among the hits by Little Richard were such classics as Long Tall Sally; he influenced many greats like the King himself, Elvis Presley, among others. Little Richard was a singer, pianist with a very eccentric voice and very energetic concerts. Little Richard was seen as a very important part of music that became popular in an era of great racial and social difficulties. He received a lot of good feedback for his work and stayed pretty influential until his death in 2020.

Annotations and Meaning:

It tells an extremely energetic story about family relations and surreptitiously hidden escapades. The artist speaks of "Aunt Mary" and "Uncle John" and "Long Tall Sally" to establish the funny and high-energy narrative.

Gonna tell Aunt Mary 'bout Uncle John
He claims he has the music
But he has a lot of fun

At the same time, these lines hint at the fact that Uncle John is good for good times only, and might even possibly shirk his responsibilities. The playful tone captures a lighthearted take on his actions.

Well, long tall Sally
She's really sweet
She got everything that Uncle John need

Long Tall Sally is very attractive and desirable. Her presence triggers tension within the family from the beginning, especially with Uncle John.

Well, I saw Uncle John with bald head Sally
He saw Aunt Mary comin'
And he jumped back in the alley

This part brings to the reader a comic situation when Uncle John is caught with another woman, "bald head Sally," and a hasty retreat occurs when Aunt Mary appears.

Well, long tall Sally
She's built for speed
She got everything that Uncle John need

Sally, on the other hand, is an appeal repeated since she is fast and appealing; life with Uncle John is contrasting.

We gonna have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight, wooh
Have some fun tonight
Everything's all right

The song reiterates the choruses in driving home these central themes: fun and letting one's self go. It is in the very energy that Little Richard brings to the delivery of the song, as well as the up-tempo pace of the song, that much of its measure for which it would become popular is found. This song embodies the very essence of rock 'n roll. Fun, rebellion, and rollicking storytelling all in one.