He was born in New Orleans, and by the late 1950s was established as a session musician in the city. In 1961 he recorded for Imperial Records in New Orleans, with "I'm Leaving You Today" betraying his influence by Ray Charles. His management was soon taken over by singer Joe Jones, who had had a hit with "You Talk Too Much" and who won Robinson a recording contract with Tiger Records, a new label set up in New York City by songwriters and record producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. In 1964, he recorded a version of Chris Kenner's song "Something You Got". The song, featuring Robinson's "fantastically bluesy growl", rose to no.52 on the Billboard pop chart.
He moved with Leiber and Stoller to their next label, Red Bird Records, and recorded "Down Home Girl", a song written by Leiber with Artie Butler, arranged by Joe Jones, and produced by Leiber and Stoller. Although the record was critically acclaimed, and was regarded by Leiber and Stoller as the best record issued on the Red Bird label, it was not a commercial success, but was covered by the Rolling Stones on their 1965 album The Rolling Stones No. 2. Robinson's later recordings for Red Bird and its subsidiary Blue Cat label, including a reshaped version of "Let The Good Times Roll" arranged by Wardell Quezergue, also failed to reach the charts.
Robinson continued to record in his own name and as a session guitarist. He moved to Los Angeles, and recorded "Let Me Down Easy", written by King Curtis, for Atco in 1967. He also began playing with Dr. John, and appeared as a guitarist on the albums Babylon, Dr. John's Gumbo, and Hollywood Be Thy Name, as well as co-writing several album tracks with Dr. John. As a solo performer, Robinson recorded for Harold Battiste's A.F.O. and Pulsar labels; one of his recordings for Pulsar, "Sho' Bout To Drive Me Wild", featured contributions from many New Orleans musicians including Battiste, Dr. John, Jessie Hill and King Floyd. He was also credited on Carly Simon's album Playing Possum, and Ringo Starr's Goodnight Vienna.
Robinson later returned to New Orleans, where he died in 1989 at the age of 51.
Alvin aka Al Robinson ( 1937 - 1989 ) in the late 50's was working as a session guitarist in New Orleans, serving for a time as guitar teacher to Shorty Long of 'Here Comes The Judge' fame. Robinson's first solo singles came out on Imperial in the early 60s and he also moved to New York for awhile. In 1964 Alvin Robinson became one of the first artists to record for the new tiger & Daisy labels operated by the writing and production team of Leiber and Stoller. His first 45 was a cover of Chris Kenner's 'Something You Got' and a cover of the Coasters hit 'Searchin' made it to #8 R&B and #52 pop in June of 1964. In September 1964, Robinson's version of 'Down Home Girl' b/w 'Fever' came out as Red Bird 010, his only disc for that particular Leiber Stoller label). Another Leiber-Stoller hit that was previously recorded by The Coasters, Robinson's take on 'Down Home Girl was a proto-funk classic revamped later by the Rolling Stones, and Nazareth. The follow up 7" was 'How Can I Get Over You' b/w 'I'm Gonna Put Some Hurt On You' in March of 1965. After Leiber and Stoller lost control of their labels in 1966, Robinson cut minor regional records at sessions fo Joe Jones records, Atco and others. In 1969 he made his way to Los Angeles, recording for New Orleans expatriate and Sonny & Cher producer Harold Battiste's A.F.O. label, and Pulsar. Robinson joined Dr. John's touring lineup as guitarist in the 70's and 80's and played on albums like Dr. John's 'Gumbo', Carly Simon's 'Playing Possum', Ringo Starr's 'Goodnight Vienna' Tom Waits' "Blue Valentine" in 1978 and Chuck E. Weiss' "The Other Side Of Town" in 1981. He eventually returned to his hometown New Orleans in 1985, and passed away in 1989.
FEVER
Alvin Robinson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
never know how much I care
when you but your arms around me
you give me feeling thats a hard to bare
you give me fever
when you kiss me
fever when you hold me tight
fever in the morning
you listen to me baby
hear evry the word i say
no one can love you the way i do
because they don't how to love you my way
you give me fever
when you kiss me
fever when you hold me tight
fever in the morning
fever all to the night
pless my soul i love you
take this hard away
take this arms i never use
you give me fever
when you kiss me
fever when you hold me tight
fever in the morning
fever all to the night
you give me fever
when you kiss me
fever when you hold me tight
fever in the morning
fever all to the night
In Alvin Robinson's song Fever, the lyrics express the intense and passionate feelings of love that the singer has for the person they are addressing. The song begins with the singer admitting that their love for the person is indescribable, as they never know how much they love or care for them until they're in their arms. The singer is overwhelmed by their lover's touch and it gives them a feeling that is overwhelming yet difficult to control.
The chorus of the song highlights the fact that the presence of the lover brings out intense emotions in the singer. The word "fever" is used as a metaphor to describe the intense feelings of love and desire the singer has. The passion and intensity of the lover's touch and presence is evident in every moment of the day and night as the singer experiences this "fever" constantly.
The second verse of the song explores the singer's need for the lover's attention and affection. They believe that their love is unique and that no one could ever love this person the way they do. The need for the lover's affection is a recurring theme throughout the song, and is mentioned again at the end when the singer expresses that their love is so strong they would give anything to keep it.
Overall, the lyrics to Alvin Robinson's Fever convey a deep sense of passion, desire, and devotion towards a loved one. The singer's words reflect the intensity of their emotions and the overwhelming effect the lover has on them.
Line by Line Meaning
never know how much I love ya
Expressing the idea that the depth of the love felt by the singer cannot adequately be expressed in words and it is beyond the understanding of the other person.
never know how much I care
Stressing on the point that the level of care and affection cannot be expressed through any means and is beyond the other person's understanding.
when you but your arms around me
Referring to the embrace of the other person, which brings a sense of peace and calmness to the singer.
you give me feeling thats a hard to bare
Describing the overwhelming sensation experienced by the singer when embraced by the other person.
you give me fever, when you kiss me
Comparing the feeling of being kissed by the other person to experiencing a fever, which is described as intense and passionate.
fever when you hold me tight
Reiterating that even while being held, the feverishness continues to persist.
fever in the morning
The excitement and passion found in the love relationship continues to persist even in the morning and throughout the day.
fever all to the night
Highlighting the fact that the sensation of being feverish due to the love relationship persists throughout the night as well.
you listen to me baby
The other person is being praised for their understanding and ability to listen to the singer with patience and attention.
hear every word I say
Continuing on the theme that the other person is a good listener and understands the singer deeply.
no one can love you the way I do
Positing the idea that nobody else would be capable of loving the other person in the same way as the singer does.
because they don't how to love you my way
Justifying the uniqueness of the love that the singer has and that it is not possible to replicate or compare to others.
pless my soul i love you
Expressing the depth of love and emotion felt by the singer towards the other person.
take this hard away
Speaking to the other person and asking them to take away the burdens carried by the singer and to make them feel better.
take this arms i never use
Offering a part of themselves to the other person as a sign of devotion and generosity.
you give me fever when you kiss me
Repeating the idea from earlier that being kissed by the other person is very intense and passionate like experiencing a fever.
fever when you hold me tight
Reiterating that even when being held, the feverishness and intensity of passion continues to persist.
fever in the morning
Continuing the theme that the passion and excitement found in the love relationship persists even in the morning and throughout the day.
fever all to the night
Continuing the theme that the feeling of feverishness due to the love relationship persists throughout the night as well.
Contributed by Jasmine K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.