Lyrics: Otis Redding
Music: Otis Redding
Sung regularly by Pigpen with the Grateful Dead, but not revived by them after he died (except for a couple of performances with Etta James).
But subsequently played by The Other Ones, Phil Lesh & Friends and The Dead.
Pigpen sang the verses pretty much the same each time, though the rap in the middle varied - this is from the version on "Bear's Choice":
Baby here I am, and I'm a man upon the scene
I have to give you what you want but you gotta come home with me
And I got a whole load of good old lovin', and I got some in store
When I get through throwin' it on you got to come back for some more
Boys and things will come by the dozen
But that ain't nothing but drug-store lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle
Now yes I am
Actions speak louder than words, and I'm a man with great experience
I know you got you another man but I can love you better than him
Take my hand and don't be afraid, I'm gonna prove every word I say
I'm advertising love for free, so won't you place your ad with me
Boys and things will come by the dozen
But that ain't nothing but drug-store lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle
Now yes I am
[Pigpen improvised rap]
Give it to me
I got to have it
Some of your love
I'm a big old man
Sometimes
I get hard to handle baby
Sometimes
I get kind of hard to handle now
Yes I want to have
Some of your love
Some of your love
Make me feel pretty good now, yes it do
Baby here I am, and I'm a man upon the scene
And I can give you what you want but you gotta come home with me
And I got a whole load of good old lovin', and I got some in store
When I get through throwin' it on you got to come back for some more
Boys and things will come by the dozen
But that ain't nothing but drug-store lovin'
Pretty little thing let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle
Now yes I am