Ok you’ve heard the line in Steve Miller’s ‘The Joker’ where Steve brags about being the ‘pompatus’ of love…”The Joker” is one of two Steve Miller Band songs that feature the word “pompatus.” The other was a 1972 song (a year before The Joker) called “Enter Maurice.” (The line is in the first 30 seconds) Some say it may be a rip off of a rhythm and blues tune called “The Letter” in the mid fifties by the Medallions. The lyrics are similar but no one can find the sheet music to verify the lyrics so they’re just going by what they hear and it sounds like they’re saying ‘pompatus.’ too. His interesting words ‘pompatus’ up at about the 1:50 mark of the song. Have a listen.
For a really good story on the word and the guy who we think first sang it, click the pic.
