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.
Season Of The Witch
Al Kooper Lyrics
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Many sights to see
And when I look in my window
So many different people to be
That it′s strange
So strange
You got to pick up every stitch
You got to pick up every stitch
Mmmm, must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch, yeah
Must be the season of the witch
When I look over my shoulder
What do you think I see?
Some other cat lookin' over
His shoulder at me
And he′s strange
Sure is strange
You got to pick up every stitch
You got to pick up every stitch, yeah
Beatniks are out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch, yeah
Must be the season of the witch
You got to pick up every stitch
Two rabbits runnin' in the ditch
Beatniks out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch
When I go
When I look out my window
What do you think I see?
And when I look in my window
So many different people to be
It's strange
Sure is strange
You got to pick up every stitch
You got to pick up every stitch
Two rabbits runnin′ in the ditch
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch, yeah
Must be the season of the witch
When I go
When I go
"Season of the Witch" by Al Kooper is a song that delves into the themes of perception and identity. The lyrics suggest that the singer is observing the world around them, looking out their window and seeing a variety of sights and people. They express a sense of strangeness in this observation, as if there is something unusual or eerie about the people and events they witness.
The repeated phrase "You got to pick up every stitch" can be interpreted as a metaphor for paying attention to the details and intricacies of life. It suggests that in order to truly understand the world and the people in it, one must be attentive and mindful. This can also be seen as a call to action, urging the listener to actively engage with their surroundings rather than simply being passive observers.
The mention of "the season of the witch" appears multiple times throughout the song, implying that there is a particular time or period marked by this sense of strangeness and mystery. The term "witch" here could be seen as a metaphor for something unconventional or out of the ordinary, symbolizing a sense of rebellion or non-conformity. It is during this season that the singer feels the heightened intensity of the strange and peculiar, as if there is a shift in the atmosphere.
The inclusion of the term "beatniks" in the lyrics adds another layer of meaning to the song. Beatniks were a countercultural group associated with the Beat Generation, known for their rejection of societal norms and their pursuit of artistic expression. By mentioning beatniks, the song seems to suggest that this season of the witch is a time when those who dare to challenge the status quo and find their own path are given an opportunity to thrive.
Overall, "Season of the Witch" speaks to the idea that there are moments in life when things become surreal and unfamiliar. It encourages the listener to be attentive, open-minded, and willing to embrace the strange and unconventional. The song suggests that during these seasons of the witch, we have a chance to explore different identities and perspectives, as well as to appreciate the unique beauty that can be found in the complexity of the world and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look out my window
Observing the world around me
Many sights to see
There are many interesting things to witness
And when I look in my window
Reflecting on my own life
So many different people to be
The potential to be anyone or explore different personas
That it's strange
It's unusual or peculiar
So strange
Indeed very strange
You got to pick up every stitch
Pay attention to every detail
You got to pick up every stitch
Noticing and repairing every flaw or issue
You got to pick up every stitch
Taking care of every small task
Mmmm, must be the season of the witch
Implies a mystical or supernatural influence
Must be the season of the witch, yeah
Undoubtedly the time when mystical forces are at play
When I look over my shoulder
Checking behind me
What do you think I see?
Spotting someone else scrutinizing me
Some other cat lookin' over
An unknown person observing
His shoulder at me
Directing their attention toward me
And he's strange
That person seems peculiar
Sure is strange
Certainly an odd situation
Beatniks are out to make it rich
People with unconventional lifestyles seeking financial success
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Oh dear, the supernatural must be at work
You got to pick up every stitch
Still emphasizing the need to pay attention to details
You got to pick up every stitch, yeah
Continuing the emphasis on meticulousness
Two rabbits runnin' in the ditch
A metaphor for two individuals in a tricky situation
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Expressing concern about the presence of supernatural forces
Must be the season of the witch
Definitely the time influenced by witchcraft
Must be the season of the witch
Undoubtedly the period when mystical activities occur
When I go
When I pass away
When I look out my window
Observing the world one last time
What do you think I see?
What will be my final perception?
And when I look in my window
Reflecting on my life before departing
So many different people to be
Considering the various roles I played or could have played
It's strange
The concept of life and its fleeting nature is peculiar
Sure is strange
Undoubtedly a curious and intriguing existence
Writer(s): Donovan Leitch
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.