Alexis Korner (born Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner in Paris, France , on 19… Read Full Bio ↴Alexis Korner (born Alexis Andrew Nicholas Koerner in Paris, France , on 19 April 1928; died 1 January 1984 in Westminster, Central London), was a British blues musician and radio broadcaster, who has sometimes been referred to as "a founding father of British blues". A major influence on the sound of the British music scene in the 1960s, Korner led Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated from 1961–1966 and CCS from 1970–1973, and was instrumental in the formation of several notable British bands including The Rolling Stones and Free.

Korner is probably best remembered as a networker and blues historian, although he was a proficient guitarist and a distinctive (if not accomplished) vocalist. Often referred to as "the Father of British Blues", Korner was instrumental in bringing together various English blues musicians.

In 1961, Korner and Cyril Davies formed Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated, initially a loose-knit group of musicians with a shared love of electric blues and R&B music. The group included, at various times, such influential musicians as Charlie Watts, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Long John Baldry, Graham Bond, Danny Thompson and Dick Heckstall-Smith. It also attracted a wider crowd of mostly younger fans, some of whom occasionally performed with the group, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Rod Stewart, John Mayall and Jimmy Page.

In 1970 Korner and Peter Thorup formed a big band ensemble, CCS (short for The Collective Consciousness Society) which had several hit singles produced by Mickie Most, including a version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" which was used as the theme for BBC's Top Of The Pops for several years. This was the period of Korner's greatest commercial success in the UK.

In 1973, he formed another group, Snape, with Boz Burrell, Mel Collins, and Ian Wallace, previously together in King Crimson. Korner also played on B.B. King's Supersession album, and cut his own, similar album, Get Off My Cloud, with Keith Richards, Peter Frampton, Nicky Hopkins, and members of Joe Cocker's Grease Band.

In the mid 1970s, while touring Germany, he established an intensive working relationship with bassist Colin Hodgkinson who played for the support act Back Door. They would continue to collaborate until the end.

In the 1970s Korner's main career was in broadcasting. In 1973 he presented a six part documentary for the BBC, The Rolling Stones Story, and in 1977 he established a weekly blues and soul show on Radio 1, which ran until 1981. He also used his gravelly voice to great effect as an advertising voice over artist.

In 1978, for Korner's 50th birthday, an all-star concert was held featuring many of his friends mentioned above, as well as Eric Clapton, Paul Jones, Chris Farlowe, Zoot Money and other friends, which was later released as The Party Album, and as a video.

In 1981, he joined another "supergroup", Rocket 88, a project led by Ian Stewart based around boogie-woogie keyboard players, which featured a rhythm section comprising Jack Bruce and Charlie Watts, among others, as well as a horn section. They toured Europe and released an album on Atlantic Records.

Alexis Korner, a lifelong smoker, died of lung cancer on January 1st 1984, aged 55.

Money Honey
Alexis Korner Lyrics

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You know, the landlord rang my front door bell
I let it ring for a long, long spell
I looked through the window, I peeked through the blind,
And asked him to tell me what was on his mind.
He said, "Money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me."

I was cleaned and skinned and so hard-pressed
I called the woman that I love the best
I finally reached my baby 'bout a half past three
She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me."
I said, "Money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me."

She screamed and said, "What's wrong with you?
From this day on, our romance is through."
I said, "Tell me, baby, face to face
A-how could another man take my place?"
She said, "Money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me."

Well, I learned my lesson and now I know
The sun may shine and the wind may blow
Women may come, and the women may go,
But before I say I love 'em so,
I want-- money, honey!
Money, honey!
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me.
(If you want to get along) Well, make some money
(If you want to get along) Well, I ain't jivin' you, honey

(If you want to get along) You better give up some money
If you want to get along with me.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song 'Money Honey' by Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated tell a story of a man who is struggling financially and is being pressured by his landlord and his lover. The man is unable to pay his rent and is avoiding the landlord's phone calls. His lover is also upset with him and wants to end their relationship because he is not financially stable. The man tries to convince his lover that he loves her and asks her how another man could take his place. However, she remains firm and tells him that if he wants to be with her, he needs to have money.

The song's lyrics explore the theme of the importance of money in relationships and how financial stability is essential for a successful love life. The chorus of the song emphasizes this idea, with the repetition of the phrase "Money, honey" as a reminder of the man's financial struggles. The song represents the struggles of many people who face financial difficulties and the pressure it puts on their relationships.

Line by Line Meaning

You know, the landlord rang my front door bell
The singer's landlord knocked on their door.

I let it ring for a long, long spell
The singer purposely ignored the doorbell for a while.

I looked through the window, I peeked through the blind,
The singer tried to see who was at the door without opening it.

And asked him to tell me what was on his mind.
The artist asked the landlord what they wanted.

He said, "Money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me."
The landlord wants the artist to pay rent.

I was cleaned and skinned and so hard-pressed
The singer was poor and struggling.

I called the woman that I love the best
The singer contacted their most beloved partner.

I finally reached my baby 'bout a half past three
The artist called their partner very late at night.

She said, "I'd like to know what you want with me."
The partner asked why the artist was calling.

I said, "Money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me."
The artist also needs money from their partner.

She screamed and said, "What's wrong with you? From this day on, our romance is through."
The partner angrily ended the relationship with the singer.

I said, "Tell me, baby, face to face A-how could another man take my place?"
The artist questioned how someone else could replace them.

She said, "Money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me."
The partner insists that money is necessary for a relationship.

Well, I learned my lesson and now I know
The singer gained knowledge from this experience.

The sun may shine and the wind may blow
The future is uncertain.

Women may come, and the women may go,
Relationships may come and go.

But before I say I love 'em so,
The artist won't say they love someone without considering finances.

I want-- money, honey! Money, honey! Money, honey, If you want to get along with me.
The singer puts financial stability over romantic love.

(If you want to get along) Well, make some money (If you want to get along) Well, I ain't jivin' you, honey (If you want to get along) You better give up some money If you want to get along with me.
The singer reiterates that monetary support is necessary for their relationships to function.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JESSE STONE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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