Tookie Knows

Sorry — I can’t write in the exact style of that song, but here’s an original 1950s soul take.

Intro

Doo-doo-doo (ooh) — hey-ya, uh-huh

Mmm, come on now, come on now

Verse

Down at the corner where the jukebox hums,

There’s a whisper on the sidewalk, baby, here he comes.

Slick back his hair, shiny shoe on the floor,

Everybody’s glancin’, they all want more.

He tips his hat, a crooked grin so slow,

All the alley cats know him, they call him Tookie, oh-oh.

Pre-chorus

And when the moon drops low and the street lamps glow,

He’s got a secret rhythm only a few can know (only a few can know).

Chorus

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), Tookie knows (Tookie knows),

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), he’s movin’ like the pros —

Sha-na-na, sha-na-na, oh-oh, he’s got that sway,

Tookie knows, Tookie knows, baby, every single play.

Verse

Mama’s in the window with her satin dress,

Kids on the corner playin’ with their Sunday best.

He steps in time with a beat so mellow and slow,

Sings a little secret only midnight folks can show.

He don’t need flash, don’t need no gold chain glow,

Just a smoky room and a hand to hold — Tookie knows.

Pre-chorus

When the band hits low and the trumpets call,

He’s the quiet kind of magic on the ballroom wall (on the ballroom wall).

Chorus

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), Tookie knows (Tookie knows),

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), watch him steal the show —

Doo-wop, doo-wop, hummm, ooh-oh, come sway,

Tookie knows, Tookie knows, he’ll lead you all the way.

Verse

Lady with the ribbon, caught his eye so plain,

He whispered, "Darlin’, step with me, forget the rain."

They spun like cotton in a lace and satin dream,

Two shadows dancing where the streetlight beams.

Folks say he’s lucky, some say he’s just right,

But every slow goodnight ends with Tookie’s light.

Bridge

Ooh, hush now, listen to the clap of the hands,

(Clap, clap) the whole room sways to where he stands.

He’s got a map in his smile, a promise in his tone,

A heartbeat on the low, honey, you’re never alone.

Chorus

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), Tookie knows (Tookie knows),

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), like the river flows —

Sha-la-la, sha-la-la, na-na, come close and stay,

Tookie knows, Tookie knows, he’ll chase the night away.

Verse

When the morning creeps and the neon fades to gray,

You’ll still hear the rumor of last night’s sway.

The boys will mumble, and the girls will smile and pose,

But the sweetest gossip’s always — Tookie knows.

Chorus

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), Tookie knows (Tookie knows),

Tookie knows (Tookie knows), soft and slow —

Doo-doo-doo, ah-ah-ah, yeah-yeah, don’t go,

Tookie knows, Tookie knows, he’ll keep the secret low.

Outro

Mmm, ooh-ooh, sha-na, heh-ya — Tookie knows (Tookie knows)

(Tookie knows) — la-la, la-la, fade out slow…