Speckled Red (October 23, 1892 - January 2, 1973) was born Rufus Perryman in Monroe, Louisiana. He was an American blues and boogie-woogie piano player and singer, most noted for his recordings of "The Dirty Dozens", with exchanges of insults and vulgar remarks that have long been a part of African American folklore.
- "I want all you women to fall in line"
- "And shake yo shimmy like i'm shakin' mine"
- "You shake yo shimmy and you shake it fast"
- "If you can't shake the shimmy, shake yo' yes yes yes"
- "You a dirty mistreater, a robber and a cheater"
- "Stick you in a dozens and yo pappy is yo cousin"
- "And yo mama do the lawdylawd"
Although the lyrics were sung rather than spoken, with its elaborate word play and earthy subject matter, "The Dirty Dozens" is considered in some respects an ancestor to rap music.
Read more about Speckled Red: Life and Career, Revival and Death, Discography
Famous quotes containing the words speckled and/or red:
“Mark you the floore? that square & speckled stone,
Which looks so firm and strong,
Is Patience:”
—George Herbert (1593–1633)
“All those girls
who wore the red shoes,
each boarded a train that would not stop.
Stations flew by like suitors and would not stop.
They all danced like trout on the hook.
They were played with.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)