Smoke 'em if You Got 'em is the first album by The Reverend Horton Heat. It was released in November 1990 on Sub Pop. An early version of the album had been recorded in the traditional manner (instruments and vocals recorded separately and mixed in the studio), but the band and the label decided that it did not fit with their vision, so it was re-recorded "live in the studio" direct to two-track, with the exception of "Love Whip."
The phrase "Smo...
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Smoke 'em if You Got 'em is the first album by The Reverend Horton Heat. It was released in November 1990 on Sub Pop. An early version of the album had been recorded in the traditional manner (instruments and vocals recorded separately and mixed in the studio), but the band and the label decided that it did not fit with their vision, so it was re-recorded "live in the studio" direct to two-track, with the exception of "Love Whip."
The phrase "Smoke 'em if You Got 'em" or "Smoke if You Got 'em" predates this album, and is slang for "do what you want, if you have the means". The first phrase was popular during WWII meaning to take a break. Officers would say "Smoke 'em if you got 'em" allowing the soldiers to take a break and smoke their cigarettes. [Vic Morrow - Combat! ABC television series October 1962]
It is occasionally used by live performers as part of a repartee bidding goodnight to an audience or introducing the last or next to last song of the night.
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