Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific. Read Full BioTaj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.
After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
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Leaving Trunk
Taj Mahal Lyrics
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk
I ain't see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm going back to Memphis babe, where I'll have much better luck
Look out Mama you know you asked me to be your King
She said you kiddin' man, if you want it, keep it hid
But please don't let my husband, my main man catch you here
Please don't let my main man, my husband catch you here
The blues are mushed up into three different ways
One said go the other two said stay
I woke up this mornin' with the blues three different ways
You know one say go "Baby I want to hang up", the other two said stay
Wake up mama I got something to tell you
You know I'm a man who love to sing the blues
Now you got to wake up baby, mama now, I got something; I got something to tell you
Well you know I'm the man, oh yes and I love to sing the blues
Come on baby, Come on
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk, you know
I ain't see no blues or whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J. ESTES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Pablo Bartkevicius
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk
I ain't see no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I'm going back to Memphis babe, where I'll have much better luck
Look out Mama you know you asked me to be your King
She said you kiddin' man, if you want it, keep it hid
But please don't let my husband, my main man catch you here
Please don't let my main man, my husband catch you here
The blues are mushed up into three different ways
One said go the other two said stay
I woke up this mornin' with the blues three different ways
You know one say go "Baby I want to hang up", the other two said stay
Wake up mama I got something to tell you
You know I'm a man who love to sing the blues
Now you got to wake up baby, mama now, I got something; I got something to tell you
Well you know I'm the man, oh yes and I love to sing the blues
Come on baby, Come on
I went upstairs to pack my leavin' trunk, you know
I ain't see no blues or whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain't never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I go home baby and I lay down on the lawn
Oliver Holmes-Gunning
You ever have that amazing thing where you've just smoked a big joint, you're walking along and the perfect song to match your vibe comes on? Cause it's happening to me right now.
Tyler S
@no1nestandsalone smoke opium and listen to Bjork ftw
no1nestandsalone
@Tyler S wtf
no1nestandsalone
Love it
Oliver Holmes-Gunning
@David Covington you must be fun at parties, mate
Peter Flaherty
Over 50 years on this Taj Mahal classic still brings bittersweet tears to my eyes! The last blues group I was part of, "Sherman and Peabody" played this number as our grand finale for our very last gig together @ the Electric Circus in Toronto, one night in April, 1969! We were on the cusp of fame (at least locally) but unfortunately personal issues made it impossible for us to continue as a unit. True of so many bands of that era, I suppose! We all packed our leavin' trunks and went our separate ways, but at least I still have the fond memories of that long-ago era! It would be great if any of my surviving band mates were to see this!
Roy Albert
I love this old tune. It's in Bb, which he plays on an Eb harp.This was not a common key for harmonica players back then. And I love his whiskey laced, cigarrette voice.
da324
Eb is the IV chord in the key of Bb. You use a harmonica that is the IV chord to whatever key you're playing in. In other words, you don't use a G harmonica to play in the key of G. You use the IV chord to G which is C.
Robert Fobian
I just heard this for the first time today! What an incredible song...bass line is simply thundering here!
I
Still one of the great albums of the modern era. Amazing band, Jesse Ed Davis on guitar & great performances by Taj Mahal. Spectacular. Should be on your playlist. This is how it's done!