If My Friends Could See Me Now

[totouk]

This is not so much a request to I/D a song, more the lyrics. For years I have always wondered what on earth the Jones Girls were singing at the end of each verse sung by Linda Clifford. Does anyone have any idea? I managed to work out some of what Linda says by finding the lyrics (which were modified on Linda's version) but no clue with the backing girls.

toto

[KoolChris]

By trying to decipher what I hear (not an official version by any means)

"If they could see me
In my Cadillac Seville
If they could see me
Pumping diamonds for a drink
If they could see me with my wardrobe in the joint
Forgetting all my poverty, now we can all rejoice..."

Doesn't seem to make sense? Don't tell me!
You might be able to get the correct words by reading while listening. Something audibly close and making sense might jump to your ears , when mine heard the nonsense above; What's in pink is what I really doubt...

[swerzer]

By trying to decipher what I hear (not an official version by any means)

"If they could see me
In my Cadillac Seville
If they could see me
Pumping diamonds for a drink
If they could see me with my wardrobe in the joint
Forgetting all my poverty, now we can all rejoice..."

Doesn't seem to make sense? Don't tell me!
You might be able to get the correct words by reading while listening. Something audibly close and making sense might jump to your ears , when mine heard the nonsense above; What's in pink is what I really doubt...

I think it's:

If they could see me in my Cadillac Seville
If they could see me with these diamonds what a thrill
If they could see me with a wardrobe of my choice
Forgetting all my poverty, now we can all rejoice

I'm not 100% sure of my pink part!

[KoolChris]

I think it's:

If they could see me in my Cadillac Seville
If they could see me with these diamonds what a thrill
If they could see me with a wardrobe of my choice
Forgetting all my poverty, now we can all rejoice

Now that sounds more like it! However, I listened to the chorus again, and as everything else can be heard (phonetically), the pink part isn't there. I'm pretty sure "pumping", or a close-sounding verb with a P is heard instead. Is it possible Philly slang includes "pumping" as a synonymous alternative to "sporting", or "flashing"? I know street talk differs a lot between N.Y., L.A., and other major cities. Who knows? Anyway, I'm pretty sure not to hear "with these"...

[remicks]

*****


maybe it's "pumps and diamonds " ........??

Thanks .....I've always wondered what they were saying too.
And I didn't know that it was the Jones Girls doing the singing ...... :icon_eek: :icon_cool:


*****

[Mixmachine]

I'm pretty sure "pumping", or a close-sounding verb with a P is heard instead. Is it possible Philly slang includes "pumping" as a synonymous alternative to "sporting", or "flashing"? I know street talk differs a lot between N.Y., L.A., and other major cities. Who knows? Anyway, I'm pretty sure not to hear "with these"...

Just Listened off the Lp , it is "Pumping diamonds" , and I also forgot the Jones Girls did the background vocals:icon_confused:

Background Vocals: The Jones Girls (Shirley, Brenda & Valerie)-- taken from Album sleeve.

[KoolChris]

maybe it's "pumps and diamonds " ........??

Now that would totally make sense. However, listening both to the LP and single versions (I find the extended version easier to decipher), I don't hear the S sound between "pump" n' "diamonds"

So,
"pumpin' diamonds",
or
"pumps 'n diamonds"

??????????????

[totouk]

thank you all for your help with this. I would never have got any of those words - I do quite like the idea of it being "pumps and diamonds"! I'm off home to listen

toto

[WhiteHeat]

It may be two years too late, but it's:

If they could see me in my Cadillac Seville
If they could see me hawkin' diamonds for a thrill
If they could see me with the wardrobe of my choice
Forgetting all my poverty, now we can all rejoice!