Magic Sam moved to Chicago in 1956, where his guitar playing earned him bookings at blues clubs on the West Side. He recorded singles for Cobra Records from 1957 to 1959, including "All Your Love" and "Easy Baby". They did not reach the record charts but had a profound influence, far beyond Chicago's guitarists and singers. Together with recordings by Otis Rush and Buddy Guy (also Cobra artists), they were a manifesto for a new kind of blues. Around this time Magic Sam worked briefly with Homesick James Williamson.
Magic Sam gained a following before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served six months in prison for desertion and received a dishonorable discharge.
In 1963, he gained national attention for his single "Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie)". He successfully toured the U.S., Britain and Germany. He was signed to Delmark Records in 1967, for which he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic. He continued performing live and toured with blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite and Sam Lay.
Magic Sam's breakthrough performance was at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, which won him many bookings in the U.S. and Europe.
His career was cut short when he suddenly died of a heart attack in December 1969. He was 32 years old. He is buried in the Restvale Cemetery, in Alsip, Illinois. In February 1970, the Butterfield Blues Band played at a benefit concert for Magic Sam, at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Also on the bill were Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite and Nick Gravenites.
His guitar style, vocals, and songwriting have inspired and influenced many blues musicians. In the film The Blues Brothers, Jake Blues dedicates the band's performance of "Sweet Home Chicago" to the "late, great Magic Sam".
The stage name Magic Sam was devised by Sam's bass player and childhood friend Mack Thompson at Sam's first recording session for Cobra as an approximation of "Maghett Sam". The name Sam was using at the time, Good Rocking Sam, was already being used by another artist.
"Magic Sam had a different guitar sound," said his record producer, Willie Dixon. "Most of the guys were playing the straight 12-bar blues thing, but the harmonies that he carried with the chords was a different thing altogether. This tune "All Your Love", he expressed with such an inspirational feeling with his high voice. You could always tell him, even from his introduction to the music."
Awards and recognition
1982, Blues Foundation Blues Music Award for Magic Sam Live in the category Vintage or Reissue Album of the Year (US)
1982, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, induction as Performer
1984, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, West Side Soul selected in the category Classics of Blues Recordings – Albums
1990, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, Black Magic selected in the category Classics of Blues Recordings –
Partial album discography
1967 West Side Soul Delmark Recorded Chicago, 1967
1968 Black Magic Delmark Recorded Chicago, 1968
1969 Raw Blues Live 1969 Rock Beat Records Recorded in Berkeley, Calif., 1969
1980 The Late Great Magic Sam L+R Recorded 1963–64, 1969
1981 Magic Sam Live Delmark Recorded live in Chicago, 1963–64, and Ann Arbor, 1969
1981 Magic Touch Black Magic Recorded live in Chicago, 1966
1989 The Magic Sam Legacy Delmark Outtakes and alternate takes recorded in Chicago, 1966–68
1991 Give Me Time Delmark Solo demo and rehearsal home recordings, 1968
2001 With a Feeling – The Complete Cobra, Chief & Crash Recordings 1957–1966 Westside Most pre-Delmark recordings; also available as Out of Luck, P-Vine, 2003
2002 Rockin' Wild in Chicago Delmark Recorded live in Chicago, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968
2008 Genius: The Final Sessions Intermedia Previously unreleased
2013 Live at the Avant Garde June 22, 1968 Delmark Recorded live at the Avant Garde coffeehouse, Milwaukee, June 22, 1968
All Your Love
Magic Sam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Whoo your love pretty baby, I have in store for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
Whoo your kisses pretty baby, that I'm holding all night
Whoo your kisses pretty baby, that I'm holding all night
'Cause I love you baby, I'm going to try to treat you right
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
Oh your love, pretty baby, I got in store for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
Whoo your kisses, pretty baby, I'm holding back for you
Whoo your huggin' and kisses, I'm holding back for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
The lyrics of "All Your Love" by Magic Sam essentially talks about how the singer is expressing his love for his partner, and how he has a lot of love and affection reserved for her. The repeated line "Whoo your love pretty baby, I have in store for you" exemplifies how much devotion he has for her, and how he wants to make her feel cherished and loved. The singer then talks about how he loves her kisses and holding her all night, and wants to treat her right to make her realize the sincerity of his feelings towards her. He then repeats again how much love he has in store for her and hopes that she reciprocates his feelings.
The song's melody and upbeat rhythm add to the romanticism of the lyrics, creating an ambiance of love and affection. The simplicity of the lyrics is what makes it relatable and easily understandable to listeners of all ages, making it an enduring classic in the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoo your love pretty baby, I have in store for you
I have a lot of love to give and I'm saving it just for you
You know I love you baby, I hope you love me too
I care deeply about you and I hope you feel the same way about me
Whoo your kisses pretty baby, that I'm holding all night
I cherish every kiss from you and want to hold on to them forever
'Cause I love you baby, I'm going to try to treat you right
I want to show you how much I care by treating you with the respect and love you deserve
Oh your love, pretty baby, I have in store for you
I have even more love to give you and I'm excited to share it with you
Whoo your huggin' and kisses, I'm holding back for you
I'm waiting for the right moment to shower you with hugs and kisses
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Samuel Maghett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind