Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross - Gimme That Wine

First performance: 10/03/1974

Coverinfo

Bruce played this song 5 times:
 
Generally sung by Clarence Clemons when Bruce broke a guitar string.
 
1974-03-10 - LIBERTY HALL, HOUSTON
Two shows (8.00pm and 11.00pm), double bill, with Springsteen and band headlining and Jimmy Spheeris opening. Bruce breaks a guitar string during "Spirit In The Night" and so we get the first known rendition of Clarence's time-filling comedy number "Gimme That Wine". 
 
1974-04-28 - SCOTT AMPHITHEATER, SWARTHMORE COLLEGE, SWARTHMORE, PA
 
1974-09-19 - THE MAIN POINT, BRYN MAWR, PA
(early) : Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band the sole act on the bill.  This was the public performance debut as E Street Band members for Max Weinberg and Roy Bittan. Violinist Suki Lahav would begin appearances with the band on October 4, however Suki (then-wife of 914 Sound Studios engineer Louis Lahav) was always considered a 'guest' performer, never an official member of the E Street Band. 
 
 
 
1974-12-07 - GENEVA THEATRE, GENEVA, NY
One show, double bill with Springsteen & the E Street Band headlining and folk stylist Jae Mason opening, Clarence Clemons takes lead vocals on "Gimme That Wine", which appears in the set once again when Springsteen breaks a guitar string and needs time to change it, leaving the band to vamp until his return.
 
Bruce broke a guitar string and he didn't have any backup. That's what caused the band to perform "Gimme That Wine". 
 

Songinfo

'Gimme that wine' is a song written by Jon Hendricks and originally released by Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross on their 1960 album The Hottest New Group In Jazz. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross were an American vocalese trio formed by jazz vocalists Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross. From 1962 to 1964, Ross was replaced by vocalist Yolande Bavan.  
 
 
 

Other cover versions

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

My wife got tired of me running around, so she tried to keep me home
Well she broke my nose and hid my clothes, but I continued to roam
Then she finally hit my weak spot, threatened to throw my bottle out
Well from the basement to the rooftop, everybody could hear me shout

Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Yeah gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Because I can't cut loose without my juice
I gotta have hot Lucy when I go walking, you know

Well one day while crossing the avenue, a big car knocked me down
While I was stretched out tying up traffic and crowds came from blocks around
Now the police were searching my pockets, before they sent me to the funeral parlor
But when one of them cops took my bottle, Jack, I jumped straight up and commenced to holler

Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Because I can't get well without muscatel
I only drink for medicinal purposes anyway

Well now one real dark and dreary night as I was staggering home to bed
Well a bandit jumped from the shadows and put a blackjack beside my head
That cat took my watch, my ring, my money, and I didn't make a sound
But when he reached and got my bottle, you could hear me for blocks around

Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Beat my head outta shape, but leave my grape
Watch, ring and money ain't nothing, don't mess with my wine, Jim

Well one day my house caught fire while I was laying down sleeping off a nap
And when I woke up everything was burning with a pop and a crackle and a snap
Now the fireman chopped up my TV set and tore my apartment apart
But when he raised his axe to my bottle, I screamed with all my heart

Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Oh gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
So I can drink one toast before I roast
Ain't no sense going out half baked, might as well be all tore up

You can take all those Hollywood glamor girls, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Bridget Bardot and Lucille Ball
And all them chicks and line 'em upside the wall
Put a gigantic jug beside 'em, and tell me to take my choice
Well there'd be no doubt which one I chose, the minute I raised my voice

Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle)
Ohhh (Unhand that bottle)
Ohhh (Unhand that bottle)
Well those chicks look fine, but I love my wine
Now some folks like money, some like to dance and dine
But I'll be happy if you give me that wine
Gimme that wine! (Unhand that bottle!)