Don't let your mouth write a check that your tail can't cash.

Here is the count as a one-bar phrase: One e and ah two e and ah three e and ah four e and ah. For example: "You got the nerve to call somebody ugly why you so ugly the stork that brought you into the world ought to be arrested". Some of the more subtle uses of the Biddley beat include "Hateful" (1979) by The Clash and "How Soon Is Now?" (1985) by The Smiths.

He introduced more insistent driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple five-accent rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop. Ellas Otha Bates (December 30 1928 – June 2 2008) known by his stage name Bo Diddley was an American rhythm and blues vocalist guitarist songwriter (usually as Ellas McDaniel) and rock and roll pioneer.