One of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with B.B. King and Freddie King), Albert King stood 6' 4", weighed 250 lbs and was known as "The Velvet Bulldozer". He was born Albert Nelson on a cotton plantation in Indianola, Mississippi. During his childhood he would sing at a family gospel group at a church. One of 13 children, King grew up picking cotton on plantations near Forrest City, Arkansas where the family moved when he was eight years old. He began his professional work as a musician with a group called In The Groove Boys in Osceola, Arkansas. He had also briefly played drums for Jimmy Reed's band and on several early Reed recordings. Influenced by blues musicians Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson, but also interestingly Hawaiian music, the electric guitar became his signature instrument, his preference being the Gibson Flying V, which he named "Lucy".
King was a left-handed "upside-down/backwards" guitarist. He was left-handed, but usually played right-handed guitars flipped over upside-down so the low E string was on the bottom. In later years he played a custom-made guitar that was basically left-handed, but had the strings reversed (as he was used to playing). He also used very unorthodox tunings (i.e., tuning as low as C to allow him to make sweeping string bends). Some believe that he was using open E minor tuning (C-B-E-G-B-E) or open F tuning (C-F-C-F-A-D). A "less is more" type blues player, he was known for his expressive "bending" of notes, a technique characteristic of blues guitarists.
He recorded his first record in 1953 for Parrot Records in Chicago, but it had no impact. His first minor hit came in 1959 with Lonely Man written by Bobbin Records A&R man and fellow guitar hero Little Milton, responsible for King's signing with the label. However, it was not until his 1961 release Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong that he had a major hit, reaching number fourteen on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart. In 1966 he signed with the Stax record label. Produced by Al Jackson, Jr., King with Booker T. & the MG's recorded dozens of influential sides, such as Crosscut Saw and As The Years Go Passing By, and in 1967 Stax released the album, Born Under a Bad Sign. The title track of that album (written by Booker T. Jones and William Bell) became King's best known songs and has been covered by many other artists.
Another landmark album followed in Live Wire/Blues Power from one of many dates King played at promoter Bill Graham's Fillmore venues. It had a wide and long-term influence on Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Robbie Robertson, and later Gary Moore and Stevie Ray Vaughan (Criminal World, on David Bowie's 1983 release Let's Dance, features a guitar solo copied note-for-note from his hero Albert King by young session musician Stevie Ray Vaughan).
In the 1970s, King was teamed with members of The Bar-Kays and The Movement (Isaac Hayes's backing group), including bassist James Alexander and drummer Willie Hall adding strong funk elements to his music. Adding strings and multiple rhythm guitarists, producers Allen Jones and Henry Bush created a wall of sound that contrasted the sparse, punchy records King made with Booker T. & the MG's. Among these was another of King's signature tunes with I'll Play the Blues For You in 1972.
Recorded in December 1983, In Session captures an in-concert jam between Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan
As he hit his mid-sixties King began to muse about retirement, not unreasonable given that he had health problems. Nevertheless, when near to death, he was planning yet another overseas tour.
King died on December 21, 1992 from a heart attack in Memphis, Tennessee.
My Babe
Albert King Lyrics
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No, my baby don't stand no cheating, my baby
My baby don't stand no cheatin'
She don't stand none a-that midnight creepin'
My babe, is a true little baby, my baby
My baby, I know she loves me, my baby
My baby, I know she loves me, my baby
All she want to do is kiss an' hug me
My baby, a true little baby, my baby
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
My baby don't stand no foolin', my baby
(My babe)
No, my baby don't stand no foolin', my baby
(My babe)
My baby don't stand no foolin'
Once she get mad, there ain't no coolin'
My babe is a true little baby, my babe
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
Fading:
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
(My babe, my baby)
The lyrics of Albert King's song "My Babe" describe a woman who is faithful, loving, and who won't tolerate any unfaithfulness or nonsense from her partner. The repetition of "my baby" enforces a sense of ownership and admiration for this woman. The first verse explains that this woman won't stand any cheating, and is aware of any late-night sneaking around. The phrase "midnight creepin'" implies that the woman is aware of her partner's actions even when he may think she is unaware. The second verse further enforces the idea that the woman loves the singer, using phrases like "all she want to do is kiss and hug me". The third verse warns of consequences if the singer should ever take advantage of this woman's trust, proclaiming that "Once she get mad, there ain't no coolin'".
The lyrics of "My Babe" are straightforward and simple in nature. They paint a picture of a strong, independent woman who values loyalty and love above all else. They showcase the admiration and respect that this speaker has for his partner, and his appreciation for her good qualities. It is a love song rooted in trust, and the warning of potential consequences if that trust is broken.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby don't stand no cheating, my babe
My significant other will not tolerate, permit or accept any infidelity or unfaithfulness, my beloved
No, my baby don't stand no cheating, my baby
No, my dear one does not allow or condone any cheating or dishonesty, my darling
My baby don't stand no cheatin'
My dear one does not permit or accept any form of cheating or deception, my love
She don't stand none a-that midnight creepin'
She will not put up with any sneaking or unfaithfulness at night, my sweetheart
My babe, is a true little baby, my baby
My darling is a completely honest and faithful person, my precious one
My baby, I know she loves me, my baby
I am confident that my beloved truly loves me, my dear one
My baby, I know she loves me, my baby
I am convinced of my lover's feelings of love towards me, my dearest
My baby, I know she loves me,
My significant other cares for me deeply and shows it, my heartbeat
All she want to do is kiss an' hug me
All my love wants to do is show affection toward me, my heartbeat
My baby, a true little baby, my baby
My lover is a genuine and faithful person, my beloved
My baby don't stand no foolin', my baby
My significant other does not tolerate or accept foolishness or dishonesty, my dear
No, my baby don't stand no foolin', my baby
No, my beloved one does not allow or accept any trickery or deceit, my love
My baby don't stand no foolin'
My love will not allow or accept any cheating or dishonesty, my sunshine
Once she get mad, there ain't no coolin'
If my love becomes angry, it cannot be pacified or calmed, my darling
My babe is a true little baby, my babe
My significant other is a completely honest and faithful person, my heartthrob
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Willie Dixon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind