His first musical success was as a 14-year-old guitarist in the Royal Teens, best known for their novelty blues riff, "Short Shorts". In 1960, he joined the song-writing team of Bob Brass and Irwin Levine, who wrote the hit, "This Diamond Ring", for Gary Lewis and the Playboys. When he was 21, he moved to Greenwich Village.
He performed with Bob Dylan in concert in 1965 and in the studio in 1965 and 1966, including playing Hammond organ with Dylan at the (in)famous Newport Folk Festival of 1965. He worked extensively with Mike Bloomfield for a number of years after the two met as studio musicians on Dylan's legendary Highway 61 Revisited album.
In 1965, he co-formed The Blues Project and played their most famous gig at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. He formed Blood, Sweat & Tears in the same year, leaving after the group's first album, Child is Father to the Man, in 1968.
Kooper played on hundreds of records, including The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, The Who and Cream. On occasion, he has even overdubbed on his own efforts, as on The Live Adventures Of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper album, as Roosevelt Gook. He discovered the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and produced their first three albums, including the single Sweet Home Alabama. Kooper also wrote the score for the TV series, Crime Story, and has also written music for several made-for-television movies. Kooper also produced a now rare album by a group called Appaloosa.
Al Kooper has published a memoir, Backstage Passes: Rock 'n' Roll Life In The Sixties (1977), now available in revised form as Backstage Passes & Backstabbing Bastards: Memoirs of a Rock 'N' Roll Survivor 2007
Kooper currently teaches songwriting and production at Berklee College of Music in Boston and plays weekend concerts with his band Jimmy Vivino and The ReKooperators.
Camille
Al Kooper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through the dark of day your light came shinin’ through
A golden ray of love that stretched from me to you
In my hour of need the whole world turned its back on me
You were there and not a word was said
A shoulder for my weary head
Camille
If I disgrace you may I cry
A thousand nights and never feel another moments love
My sweet Camille
I need your tenderness & all the love that's heaven-blessed
And all these things that we share together I owe to you
Camille
You were there and not a word was said
A shoulder for my weary head
Camille
If I forsake you may I die
If I disgrace you may I cry
A thousand nights and never feel another moments love
My sweet Camille
The lyrics of Al Kooper's song "Camille" describe the importance of a loving and supportive partner in a time of need. The opening lines suggest that the singer was going through a difficult time, and the love of his significant other was the only thing that helped him through. The lyrics further imply that the singer had been abandoned by the rest of the world, yet his partner stood tall beside him as a pillar of strength. The lines "You were there and not a word was said/A shoulder for my weary head" offer a sense of comfort and respite, as the singer finds solace in the presence of his partner.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the value of having a loyal and devoted partner. The lines "If I forsake you may I die/If I disgrace you may I cry" indicate the depth of commitment the singer has for his partner. He recognizes that she is the one who has been there for him when nobody else was, and he is acutely aware of the potential pain he could cause her if he were to betray her trust. The song ends with the lines "My sweet Camille", reiterating the deep affection and appreciation the singer has for his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the dark of day your light came shinin’ through
Your love illuminated my dark days
A golden ray of love that stretched from me to you
Our love was bright and strong, connecting us
In my hour of need the whole world turned its back on me
When I needed help the most, everyone abandoned me
You were there and not a word was said
You supported me without even needing to say anything
A shoulder for my weary head
You offered comfort and support when I needed it
Camille
Addressing the person who provided the support mentioned in the previous lines
If I forsake you may I die
I would rather die than betray or abandon you
If I disgrace you may I cry
I would be filled with sorrow if I ever brought shame to you
A thousand nights and never feel another moments love
A life without your love would be empty
My sweet Camille
Affectionate address to the person being spoken to
I need your tenderness & all the love that's heaven-blessed
I crave your affection and any blessings from a higher power that come with it
And all these things that we share together I owe to you
I recognize and appreciate all that you bring to our relationship
Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@flashflame4952
FANTASTIC!!! Love Al Kooper