Born Major Merriweather (or Merewether) in Atlanta, Georgia, he taught himself how to play piano. In the 1920s he moved to Detroit and began playing parties and clubs. In 1941, a desire to record led him to Chicago where he met and befriended Tampa Red. Red introduced him to Lester Melrose of Bluebird Records, who signed him to a recording contract.
His first record was "Worried Life Blues" (1941), which promptly became a blues hit and remained his signature piece. Other classic piano blues recordings such as "Chicago Breakdown" followed. His piano style developed from players like Leroy Carr and Roosevelt Sykes, as well as from the boogie-woogie style of Meade "Lux" Lewis and Albert Ammons.
His career was cut short in 1946 by a stroke. However, he was one of the most influential blues piano players of the 1940s and his style had an impact on practically every post-World War II blues pianist of note. His most famous song, "Worried Life Blues" is a staple of the blues repertoire, with artists such as Eric Clapton featuring it regularly in performances.
Big Maceo is also on Last.fm as Big Maceo Merriweather.
Worried life blues
Big Maceo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
When you squeeze me baby
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
That get my mind
Now what are you doin' to me
You a good lookin' woman
You a good lookin' woman
Just as sweet as you can be
That get my mind
Now what are you doin' to me
Now when you squeeze me baby
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
When you squeeze me baby
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
That get my mind
Now what are you tryin' to do to me
I said you a good lookin' woman
Just as sweet as you can be
You a good lookin' woman
Just as sweet as you can be
That get my mind
Now what are you tryin' to do to me
The lyrics to Big Maceo's song Worried life blues describe the physical and emotional impact that the woman he is with has on him. He expresses that when she squeezes him, he can't help but hollar, suggesting that he is in physical pain. However, he continues to let her squeeze him, implying that the pain is worth it. He repeats the phrase "what are you doin' to me" and "what are you tryin' to do to me" throughout the song, indicating that he is confused about the hold she has over him.
The song seems to suggest that the woman has power over him and that he is worried about what she is doing to him, both physically and emotionally. The repetition of the phrases "whoa whoa whoa" and "that get my mind" highlight the overwhelming feelings that he is experiencing. Overall, the lyrics convey the idea that the woman he is with has a strong and possibly negative impact on him, but he is still drawn to her.
Line by Line Meaning
When you squeeze me baby
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
Whenever you embrace me, it intensifies my feelings, and I can't resist screaming out of pleasure.
That get my mind
Now what are you doin' to me
Your provocative action is disturbing my thoughts, and I'm perplexed about what you're trying to achieve by doing so.
You a good lookin' woman
Just as sweet as you can be
You're physically attractive, and your attitude is equally charming.
That get my mind
Now what are you doin' to me
Again, your actions are affecting my mental state, and I'm curious about your motives.
When you squeeze me baby
You make me hollar whoa whoa whoa
Once more, your embrace is so intense that it provokes me to cry out in pleasure.
That get my mind
Now what are you tryin' to do to me
Your motivation behind these actions is still unclear to me, and it's troubling my mind.
I said you a good lookin' woman
Just as sweet as you can be
I reiterate that you're an attractive and charming person.
That get my mind
Now what are you tryin' to do to me
Once again, I'm perplexed about your intentions and how they relate to your actions towards me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MACEO MERRIWEATHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
wayoutking
This is my Grandfather and I love his music. I still have some of the albums
EL.
I am now studying your Grandpa’s music in school. That’s cool!
RJ3220
Your Grandfather has given me such joy in my life through his music.
Johnny
Found him on a new vegas mod. Perfect post apocalypse music.
Javier Taramona
I am glad to salute his granddaughter then.🙌
rhuan4_
I Hear this song for sleep, And everyday, thank you for this
C D
This song gives me chills.. Amazing piece.
wayoutking
Grandad you are missed. Thank you for loving his passion.
Nick B
This song got me over my last girlfriend when I was losing her. Pick up my guitar and no woman can keep me down. Thanks Big Mac!
Miguel Osvaldo Flores Dominguez
Such a great singer and piano player!