Lightnin' Hopkins
Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was an … Read Full Bio ↴Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins (March 15, 1912 – January 30, 1982) was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Centerville, Texas. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.
The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".
Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, and as a child was immersed in the sounds of the blues. He developed a deep appreciation for this music at the age of 8, when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas. That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him".[citation needed] He went on to learn from his older (distant) cousin, the country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. (Hopkins had another cousin, the Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims, with whom he later recorded.) Hopkins began accompanying Jefferson on guitar at informal church gatherings. Jefferson reputedly never let anyone play with him except young Hopkins, and Hopkins learned much from Jefferson at these gatherings.
Hopkins's style was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band. His distinctive fingerstyle technique often included playing, in effect, bass, rhythm, lead, and percussion at the same time. He played both "alternating" and "monotonic" bass styles incorporating imaginative, often chromatic turnarounds and single-note lead lines. Tapping or slapping the body of his guitar added rhythmic accompaniment.
Much of Hopkins's music follows the standard 12-bar blues template, but his phrasing was free and loose. Many of his songs were in the talking blues style, but he was a powerful and confident singer.[citation needed] Lyrically, his songs expressed the problems of life in the segregated South, bad luck in love and other subjects common in the blues idiom. He dealt with these subjects with humor and good nature. Many of his songs are filled with double entendres, and he was known for his humorous introductions to songs.
Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston on January 30, 1982, at the age of 69. His obituary in the New York Times described him as "one of the great country blues singers and perhaps the greatest single influence on rock guitar players.".
The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".
Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, and as a child was immersed in the sounds of the blues. He developed a deep appreciation for this music at the age of 8, when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas. That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him".[citation needed] He went on to learn from his older (distant) cousin, the country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. (Hopkins had another cousin, the Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims, with whom he later recorded.) Hopkins began accompanying Jefferson on guitar at informal church gatherings. Jefferson reputedly never let anyone play with him except young Hopkins, and Hopkins learned much from Jefferson at these gatherings.
Hopkins's style was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band. His distinctive fingerstyle technique often included playing, in effect, bass, rhythm, lead, and percussion at the same time. He played both "alternating" and "monotonic" bass styles incorporating imaginative, often chromatic turnarounds and single-note lead lines. Tapping or slapping the body of his guitar added rhythmic accompaniment.
Much of Hopkins's music follows the standard 12-bar blues template, but his phrasing was free and loose. Many of his songs were in the talking blues style, but he was a powerful and confident singer.[citation needed] Lyrically, his songs expressed the problems of life in the segregated South, bad luck in love and other subjects common in the blues idiom. He dealt with these subjects with humor and good nature. Many of his songs are filled with double entendres, and he was known for his humorous introductions to songs.
Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston on January 30, 1982, at the age of 69. His obituary in the New York Times described him as "one of the great country blues singers and perhaps the greatest single influence on rock guitar players.".
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Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Abilene Abilene, Abilene Prettiest town I ever seen. Folks down ther…
Ain't It Crazy Suzy got a rubboard, mama got a tub They goin' around…
Another Fool in Town I ain't got no education, I'm just another fool in…
Automobile I saw you ridin' 'round You ridin' in your brand new…
Automobile Blues I saw you ridin' 'round You ridin' in your brand new…
Baby Sound like I'm hearing moaning Death bell ringing all in my…
Baby Child I was born'd on the levee, I'm my mama's baby…
Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes Baby, don't you tear my clothes Baby, don't you tear my…
Baby Please Don't Go Baby, please don't go Baby, please don't go Baby, please don…
Baby! Sound like I'm hearing moaning Death bell ringing all in my…
Back Door Friend What you gonna do with a woman, yeah, when she…
Back Home Boogie Goin' back home Just as soon as God break day Goin' back…
Back to New Orleans Now baby please don't go Now baby please don't go Now baby…
Backwater Blues It rained five days and the clouds turned as dark…
Backwater Blues (This Mean Old Twister) It rained five days The sky has turned black as night Oh,…
Bad Luck and Trouble Trouble Lord, trouble, trouble is all I see Trouble, I said,…
Bald Headed Woman Give me - I'm gonna take it - back that…
Ball of Twine She's kinda wind up, you know Like a ball of twine Sometimes…
Beggin' You to Stay Oh Lordy Lord, Oh Lordy Lord …
Big Black Cadillac Blues Whooah, Baby, Please come on back, For you've got smething…
Big Car Blues Please come on back, For youve got smething of mine, Im sure…
Big Leg Woman Yes I've got me a big legged woman, that solid…
Big Mama Jump Baby, you mistreated me all the time Baby, you mistreated me…
Black Cadillac Whooah, Baby, Please come on back, For you've got smething…
Black Cat well you're one black cat, some day you'll find your…
Black Gal Well, you're one black cat, one day you'll find your…
black ghost Black ghost, black ghost Please stay away from my door Black…
Black Lightnin' Rap Yeah I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, Trying to…
Black Pony Blues Black ghost, black ghost Please stay away from my door Black…
Bluebird Bluebird My bluebird, bluebird, please take this letter down south fo…
Blues Harpy Blue, here are you, living in a storage room,…
Blues for Christmas Mmmm, blues early in the mornin, Whoa, Lord, ya know I…
Blues in My Bottle Blues in the bottle, blues in the bottle is toppling…
Born in the Bottoms Yeah you know I was born in the bottoms Down by…
Breakfast Time Cook my breakfast, bring it to my bed Cook my breakfast,…
Bring Me My Shotgun Woah, go bring me my shotgun Oh I'm gonna start shootin…
Broken Hearted Blues She's an evil-hearted woman whoa, she won'te treat nobody r…
Built For Comfort Some folk built like this, some folk built like that But…
Burnin In LA Just look at the people Whoa just look at the peoples…
California Landslide Take me outta this bottom, take me outta this bottom,…
California Showers Just take a look at the weather, it keep rainin'…
Call On My Baby My baby's gone and she won't be back no more…
Careless Love Love, oh love, oh careless love You've fly through my head…
Casey Jones Casey Jones was a brave engineer He told his fireman to…
Catfish Blues You know I wished I was a catfish Swimmin' in that…
Cemetery Blues Poor grandpa, he died but that's the debt we all…
Change My Way Of Living I've got to change my way of living Cause trouble's all…
Coffee Blues This is the 'Coffee Blues', I likes a certain brand Maxwell'…
Coffee for Mama Mama got mad at Papa Everybody wonderin' why them's papa was…
Coffee House Blues Mama got mad at papa 'cause he didn't bring no…
Come Back Baby Oh come back, baby Oh mama please dont go, yeah Cause the…
Coming Back Home Goin' back home Just as soon as God break day Goin' back…
Contrary Mary Contrary, she contrary, she won't do nothing she say She con…
Conversation Blues Alright now, Junior I got this one Hey, I want to…
Darling Do You Remember Me Just to say hello, my little darling Do you remember me? Now…
Death Bells Sound like I'm hearing moaning, death bell ringing all in…
Devil Is Watching You You better be careful 'Bout what you do I just wanna' mind T…
Dirty House Blues Mama got mad at papa 'cause he didn't bring no…
Don't Keep My Baby Long Do you know I took that boy, I've taken him…
Don't Think 'cause You're Pretty Don't think 'cause you're pretty, women, got every man in To…
Don't Think Cause You're Pretty Don't think 'cause you're pretty, women Got every man in to…
Don't Think Cause You´re Pretty Don't think 'cause you're pretty, women, got every man in To…
Don't Wake Me Early in the morning Don't wake me up too soon Early in…
Don't You Call That Boogie i wan to boogie i want you to boogie too i…
Down Baby Sound like I'm hearing moaning Death bell ringing all in my…
Down by the Riverside I'm gonna lay down my burden, down by the riverside, Down…
Down Now Baby Sound like I'm hearing moaning Death bell ringing all in my…
Early Morning Blues I woke up this morning... I woke up this morning...…
Everybody's Down On Me I'm wonderin' if my folks are gonna be there when…
Everything Look a here, baby Don't you wanna shake? Look a here, darlin…
Everything Happens to Me Black cats creep across my path Until I'm almost mad I mus…
Evil Hearted Woman She's an evil-hearted woman whoa, she won'te treat nobody ri…
Fan It You got to fan it, you got to fan it You…
Fannie Mae I want somebody to tell me what's wrong with me Oh…
Feel So Bad I woke up this morning 'Bout the break of day I looked…
Forgot What to Say Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
Found My Baby Crying I come home this mornin', yes, I found my baby…
From Man to Man Well all you ladies gather 'round That good sweet candy man'…
Fugitive Blues Yeah, they named me Richard Kimble, 'cause I been runnin' s…
Give Me Back That Wig Give me back that wig I bought you, baby; darling,…
Give Me Central 209 Hello Central, Please give me 209 Hello hello Central, will…
Goin Back Home Goin' back home Just as soon as God break day Goin' back…
Goin' To Dallas I'm goin' to Dallas, see my pony run Goin' to Dallas,…
Going Back Home Goin' back home Just as soon as God break day Goin' back…
Good Morning Blues I woke up this morning... I woke up this morning...…
Grandma Told Grandpa Grandma told grandpa, lovin' between us is sure true Grandm…
Grievance Blues Grieving over you, babe, darling, I have almost lost my…
Happy Blues for John Glenn People, I was sittin' this mornin' with this on my…
Hard to Love a Woman Yeah, you know I worked on the railroad I even worked…
Have You Ever Been Mistreated Have you ever been mistreated? You know just what I'm…
Have You Ever Loved a Woman Have you ever loved a woman So much it hurts to…
Have You Ever Loved a Woman? Have you ever loved a woman Man, better than you did…
Hello Central Hello Central, Please give me 209 Hello hello Central, will …
Home In The Woods I'm gonna find me another home, I'm gonna find it…
Howling Wolf Yeah I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, Trying to…
Howling Wolf Blues Yeah I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, Trying to…
I Asked The Bossman We were down in Louisiana Asked that Bossman to let my…
I Mean Goodbye Yes goodbye I mean goodbye Goodbye darling I said farewell G…
I Wonder I wonder why things are so mean to me I wonder…
I Work Down On The Chain Gang Yeah, you know I worked on the railroad I even worked…
I'll Be Gone Once in the country there was a little boy; every…
I'm A Crawling Black Snake LYRICWIKI LYRICWIKI Lightnin' Hopkins:I'm A Crawlin' Black…
I'm A Stranger I'm a stranger, just blowed in your town So I want…
I'm Beggin' You Oh Lordy Lord, Oh Lordy Lord …
I'm Begging You Who I'm begging you now... I'm beggin you. Baby with tear…
I'm Coming Home I'm comin' home baby, Darlin' I ain't doin' no good out…
I'm Going To Build Me A Heaven Of My Own This is dedicated to the whole world, the women, especially.…
I'm Tired Of Trouble Tired of so much trouble, Trouble I've been havin' all…
I've Been 'Buked and Scorned I′ve been buked I've been buked and I′ve been scorned I've b…
Intro Please come on back, For youve got smething of mine, Im su…
It's Hard to Love a Woman Yeah, you know I worked on the railroad I even worked…
Jail House Blues Mama got mad at papa 'cause he didn't bring no…
Jailhouse Blues Well I wouldn't mind staying in jail, but I've gotta…
Jake Head Boogie We got drunk last night man, yes, and the night…
John Henry Yeah! Johnny told his old Captain 'Man, a-when you go downto…
Katie Mae Yeah, you know Katie Mae is a good girl, folks,…
Last Affair I found out you were leavin' me baby, leavin' on…
Last Night I was sittin' at home Thinkin' to myself I started…
Last Night Blues You know I went home last night Sat down on my…
Let Me Play with Your Poodle Now lend an ear folks while I sing this song Don't…
Let's Move better watch that…
Life I Used to Live You know the life I used to live, Lord, I…
Little Boy Blue Baby, you mistreated me all the time Baby, you mistreated me…
Little Girl Little Girl Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Sail on, sail…
Lonesome Dog I got a dog in my back yard, howled the…
Lonesome Graveyard Sleep on, sleep on, sleep on Little girl, sleep on, just…
Long Gone Like a Turkey Through the Corn Long gone, like a turkey through the corn Long gone, like…
Long Time I come all the way from Texas just to shake…
Long Way From Home Next time I take a trip, down south, baby Baby, I…
Love Me or Leave Me Love me or leave me and let me be lonely You…
Love Me This Morning Love me this mornin', ol' Lightnin' is fixin' to go away L…
Lovin' Arms I can remember, when I was layin' up in your…
Mama and Papa Hopkins I wonder why my mama don't love my papa no…
Mama Blues Look a here, Bill, I'd come to you one day I…
Mama's Baby Child I was born'd on the levee, I'm my mama's baby…
Mean Old Frisco Well, that mean old, mean old Frisco, and that low down…
Miss Loretta Whoa, Miss Loretta Where did you get all these good looking…
Miss Me Blues I'm wonderin' if my folks are gonna be there when…
Mistreated Blues Baby, you mistreated me all the time Baby, you mistreated…
Mistreater Blues Baby, you mistreated me all the time Baby, you mistreated me…
Mojo Hand I'm goin' to Louisiana And get me a mojo hand I'm goin'…
Mojo Hand - 1966 Version I'm goin' to Louisiana I'ma get me a mojo hand I'm goin'…
Mojo Hands I'm goin' to Louisiana And get me a mojo hand I'm goin'…
Morning Blues You know I went down to my baby's house, fell…
Movin On Out Boogie Sound like I'm hearing moaning, death bell ringing all in…
Mussy Haired Woman I don't want no wom'n, if her hair it ain't…
My Babe My baby, don't stand no cheatin', my babe Oh yeah, she…
My Baby's Gone My baby's gone and she won't be back no more…
My Black Cadillac Whooah, Baby, Please come on back, For youve got smething o…
My Black Name (Sam Hopkins) I can hear my black name ringing Oh, hurryin' …
My Creole Belle My Creole Belle, I love her well My darlin' baby, my…
My Grandpa Is Old Too! I want all you young people to know what to…
My Starter Won't Start This Morning My starter won't start this mornin' Boy and my motor won't…
My Suggestion My suggestion, Little girl, it may not be just the…
My Thoughts On The Blues I'm gonna get up in the morning, I believe I'll…
New Santa Fe I ain't gonna tell nobody, Santa Fe did to me…
New Short Haired Woman I don't want no wom'n, if her hair it ain't…
New Short-Haired Woman I don't want no wom'n, if her hair it ain't…
No Education Got not education, I'm just a fool in your town No…
Once A Gambler Yeah, you know I once was a gambler But I lost…
Once Was a Gambler Yeah, you know I once was a gambler But I lost…
One Kind Favor I Ask of You You know it's one kind favor, I ask to you You…
Penitentiary Blues 1959 version _____ change the blues Big bad _____ I …
Picture On The Wall Yes, you know your picture done faded now, baby, darling,…
Play With Your Poodle Now lend an ear folks while I sing this song, Don't…
Please Don't Go Baby Baby, please don't go Baby, please don't go Baby, please don…
Pneumonia Blues Whoa, you know I'm achin' all over You know I believe…
Po' Boy Po' boy, long way from home Woo,ooh, long way from home I…
Prison Blues Come Down on Me I'm wonderin' if my folks are gonna be there when…
Rock Me Mama spoken: This is rock me mama Rock me baby, rock me…
Rocky Mountain Blues The rocky mountain Darling there way out in the west That's …
Rosie Mae Mmmm, you know Rosie Mae is a good girl, Folks say…
Sad News From Korea Almost paradise A-chimboda to nunbushin Nal hyanghan noye sa…
Sail On Little Girl Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Sail on, sail…
Sail on Little Girl Sail On Sail on, sail on, little girl, sail on Sail on, sail…
Santa I ain't gonna tell nobody, Santa Fe did to me…
Santa Fe Blues Ain't gonna tell nobody Santa Fe did to me I ain't gonna…
See See Rider You see, see rider, see what you done, done See, see…
See See Rider (Acoustic Version) See see rider, see what you have done, Lord, Lord,…
See That My Grave Is Kept Clean You know it's one kind favour I'll ask to you Well…
Shaggy Dad Shaggy Dad, walkin' down He walks all around Shaggy Dad, w…
Shaggy Dog Shaggy Dad, walkin' down He walks all around Shaggy Dad, whe…
Shake That Thing Wow baby, I don't know your name But I do believe,…
Short Haired Woman I don't want no wom'n, if her hair it ain't…
Shotgun Yes I said, go bring me my shotgun, go and…
Sinner's Prayer Yeah, my baby told me She was happy she could be Said,…
Slavery Time Slavery Time Sad when you′re sick at home alone Won't nobod…
Smokes Like Lightning (Sam Hopkins) Whoa, it smoke like lightnin' Yeah, but shine …
So Long So long, baby, baby, so long Oh, God, I would tell…
Someday Oh lordy lord, oh lordy lord It hurts me so bad…
Stoll Pigeon Blues Good Lord, just let me live till tomorrow I'm gonna send…
Stool Pidgeon Blues Good Lord, just let me live till tomorrow I'm gonna send…
Stool Pigeon Blues Good Lord, just let me live till tomorrow I'm gonna send…
Stranger Here I'm a stranger, just blowed in your town So I want…
Talkin' Some Sense Hello baby Little girl, are you gonna wake up today? Hello…
The Foot Race Is On What you look at me for? Look out man What's the…
The Fox Chase Arata-mi dintii tai ca tre′ sa-mi ascut toporu Si cand sopte…
The Hearse Is Backed Up To The Door You know it smokes like lightning Do you know velvet shine…
The Howling Wolf Yeah I'm the wolf and everybody in the world, Trying to…
The Trouble Blues Trouble, trouble, trouble, Trouble is all in the world I see…
The Twister It rained five days and the clouds turned as dark…
Tim Moore's Farm Yeah, you know it ain't but the one thing, you…
Too Many Drivers Baby you got too many drivers Lord when you ain't got…
Trouble in Mind Troubled in mind, I'm little blue Bet you, I won't be…
Viet Nam War Mama said Son, how can you be happy when your…
War News Blues You may turn your radio on soon in the morning Sad…
Watch Yourself you better watch yourself sonny boy everybody laughing at yo…
What'd I Say Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong, Come and love me…
When the Saints Go Marching In I'm in the mood for marchin' in I'm in the mood…
Woman Woman Yes I've got me a big legged woman, that solid…
Wonder Why I wonder why things are so mean to me I wonder…
Worried Blues Oh lordy lord, oh lordy lord It hurts me so bad…
Yonder Come the Blues I'm wonderin' if my folks are gonna be there when…
You Better Watch Yourself you better watch yourself sonny boy everybody laughing at yo…
You Don't Know i wan to boogie i want you to boogie too i…
You Is One Black Rat My little Gloria, she had a new boyfriend and all I…
You Never Miss Your Water Never miss your water till your well run dry Never…
You're Gonna Miss Me Baby, what is wrong with you? Tell me, tell me now What…
You're Too Fast You're too fast baby, try to slow down for a while You…
Your Own Fault Baby to Treat Me the Way You Do Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do It's…
Your Own Fault, Baby, to Treat Me the Way You Do Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do It's…