Preston first came to widespread attention of a U.S. mainstream audience as the organist (and sometimes vocalist) in the house band on the television show 'Shindig,' popular during 1964-66. On tour backing stars Little Richard and Sam Cooke, he met the Beatles (early in their career) in Hamburg, Germany in 1962. He was later invited by George Harrison to join The Beatles in the studio for the filming/recording of 'Let It Be' (1970). Preston's most memorable performance with the Beatles is on the track "Get Back".
The apparent reason for the collaboration was that the project was being done live— without overdubs— and the Beatles wanted a second keyboardist. Preston's soulful style was to compliment the rhythm and blues approach the Beatles had for this album. His was a genre they'd grown up listening to and were reaching back to as well as paying tribute to.
Another apparent reason for Preston's involvement was to buffer the growing tensions between the members of the band (that had started around the time of filming). Everyone set aside their differences to make Preston feel welcome at the sessions. Members of the band have later commented on their joy with working with Preston, whom they respected as a talented musician.
While Preston was never considered for permanent membership in the Beatles (despite stories to the contrary), he did continue working with them through to the end of the 60s: releasing two solo albums on Apple Records (the Beatles' label), collaborating with George Harrison on 'All Things Must Pass', and joining in on the Concert for Bangladesh— one of the first significant benefit concerts of its kind (at Madison Square Garden in 1972). Preston also later made an appearance in the infamous Beatles tribute film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (1978), as the title character— Sgt. Pepper. He's sometimes been referred to as a 'Fifth Beatle'.
In addition to work with said group, Preston also played and toured with The Rolling Stones, playing on significant albums such as 'Sticky Fingers' and 'Exile on Main St.' In the 70s, Preston also worked with Bob Dylan, playing as an accompanist on ' Blood on the Tracks', and Aretha Franklin, on her record 'Young, Gifted and Black'. As the years went on, Preston collaborated with numerous other artists including Barbra Streisand and Miles Davis, also notable touring with Sly and the Family Stone for a time. He also played organ with the Ray Charles big band on tour in the late 60s.
In terms of his solo career, Preston's hit tracks "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" both reached all the way to number one in the U.S. and still remain staples of oldies stations. He won a Grammy Award for best pop instrumental performance for "Outa Space" in 1971, and he received an invitation to the White House no less in 1974. Though perhaps overshadowed by his collaborative work, he devolved a strong and devoted fan-base as album after album made it into the Billboard top 200 album chart.
Preston was also the music director and band leader for the Garry Shandling show in the 80s, returning to the TV work that had given him his start. Yet, in the 80s and 90s, Preston sadly suffered substance abuse and financial issues. He spent three years in prison in 1997 for a drugs possession charge handed out earlier that year (cocaine possession and assault).
His last recordings were on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album 'Stadium Arcadium' and with Neil Diamond for his "12 songs" record, both produced by Rick Rubin.
A U.S. musical legend, Preston passed away at the age of 59 in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, as a result of "malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications".
Shot Gun
Billy Preston Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hey).
Put on your red dress and then you go down yonder.
I said buy yourself a shotgun now, were gonna break it down baby now.
We're gonna load it up baby now 'a then you shoot 'em 'fore he run now.
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
I said Put on your high-heeled shoes.
I said we're goin' down here and I listen to 'em play the blues.
We're gonna dig potatoes, we're gonna pick tomatoes.
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
(Hey).
Billy Preston's song "Shotgun" is a classic example of the funk and soul music of the 1960s. The lyrics describe a party atmosphere where the singer is beckoning their date to put on a red dress and come to a place to listen to the blues. They also encourage the date to arm themselves with a shotgun and be ready to shoot any attackers. The repeated chorus emphasizes the importance of shooting first and doing the jerk dance to celebrate.
The use of the shotgun as a weapon of self-defense in the African American community during the 1960s is reflected in the song. It was a time of civil unrest and violence, and many felt the need to protect themselves and their families. The song shows the resilience and strength of the community in the face of these challenges.
The lyrics "We're gonna dig potatoes, we're gonna pick tomatoes" reflect the hard work and rural life that was a part of the African American experience in the south during this time. The singer is celebrating their roots and the values that have sustained them.
Overall, "Shotgun" is a song about strength, self-defense, community, celebration, and hard work. It reflects the times and the values of the African American community and remains a classic example of the funk and soul music of the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
I said shotgun shoot 'em 'fore he run now do the jerk baby do the jerk now.
The singer is urging someone to take action with a shotgun before someone escapes, while also encouraging them to dance the popular Jerk dance.
(Hey).
This is an interjection, showing enthusiasm and possibly urging others to join in on the fun.
Put on your red dress and then you go down yonder.
The singer is instructing someone to put on their best outfit and head off to a specific location.
I said buy yourself a shotgun now, were gonna break it down baby now.
The singer is telling someone to acquire a shotgun and prepare for an intense experience.
We're gonna load it up baby now 'a then you shoot 'em 'fore he run now.
The singer is telling someone to load their shotgun and be ready to use it quickly to prevent someone from getting away.
I said Put on your high-heeled shoes.
The singer is now suggesting that the person wear high heels instead of a red dress, which could imply a change in plans or environment.
I said we're goin' down here and I listen to 'em play the blues.
The singer is planning to go somewhere with live music to enjoy the blues genre.
We're gonna dig potatoes, we're gonna pick tomatoes.
The singer is listing different chores or tasks for the day, such as harvesting potatoes and tomatoes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AUTRY DEWALT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind