Messin' With the Man
Turbulent Times: Muddy Waters' Warning
Lyrics
What did I hear goin' on 'round town
Expressing awareness of rumors or events happening in town.
You tell everybody you're gonna put the kid down
Addressing someone who claims they will defeat or outdo a younger person.
Whoa Lawd baby you drivin' me insane
Expressing frustration or distress caused by the actions of the addressed person.
You been messin' with the kid, you better not be messin' with the man
Warning that interfering with the younger individual is different from messing with a more powerful figure (the man).
You know the kid didn't jive, you know the kid didn't play
Affirming that the younger person (the kid) is straightforward and serious.
He said what he mean and he meant what he said
Emphasizing the honesty and sincerity of the kid's words.
Whoa Lord now baby you drivin' me insane
Reiterating distress caused by the addressed person's actions.
You been messin' with the kid, you better not be messin' with the man
Repeating the warning about interfering with the kid and, by extension, the man.
You spendin' my money as it come as a gift
Highlighting the addressed person spending the speaker's money without earning it.
I work for my money upon a eight-hour shift
Contrasting the speaker's hard work with the person's misuse of funds.
Whoa, Lord now, baby you drivin' me insane
Expressing increased distress due to the person's actions.
You been messin' with the kid, you better not be messin' with the man
Reiterating the warning against interfering with the kid and the consequences for the man.
Now anything you want it, when you just say it
Stating that the addressed person can get anything they want simply by asking.
Didn't the kid buy, the time he got paid
Referencing the kid's ability to buy things when paid, emphasizing financial support.
Whoa, Lord, baby you drivin' me insane
Expressing continued distress and frustration due to the person's behavior.
You been messin' with the kid, you better not be messin' with the man
Repeating the warning against messing with the kid and, consequently, the man.
You taken the kid's car and you drove it all 'round town
Accusing the person of taking and using the kid's car without permission.
You told everybody you're gonna put him down
Reiterating the claim of intending harm to the kid.
Whoa, Lord, baby you drivin' me insane
Expressing heightened distress and frustration due to the person's continued actions.
You been messin' with my kid, you better not be messin' with the man
Repeating the warning against interfering with the speaker's kid and, by extension, the man.
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