Booker T. Jones (born November 12, 1944) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwr… Read Full Bio ↴Booker T. Jones (born November 12, 1944) is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known for fronting the band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

Born in South Memphis, Tennessee, Jones was a child prodigy, playing the oboe, saxophone, trombone, and piano at school and serving as organist at his church. He attended Booker T. Washington High School, the alma mater of Rufus Thomas and shared the hallowed halls with future stars like Isaac Hayes's writing partner David Porter; saxophonist Andrew Love of The Memphis Horns; soul singer/songwriter William Bell and Earth, Wind, and Fire's Maurice White.

Jones's first entry into professional music came at age sixteen, when he played baritone saxophone on Satellite (soon to be Stax) Records' first hit, "Cause I Love You", by Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas.

While hanging around the Satellite Record Shop run by Estelle Axton, co-owner of Satellite Records with her brother Jim Stewart, Jones met record clerk Steve Cropper, who would become one of the MGs when the group formed in 1962. Besides Jones on organ and Cropper on guitar, Booker T. and the MGs featured Lewie Steinberg on bass guitar and Al Jackson, Jr. on drums (Donald "Duck" Dunn eventually replacing Steinberg). While still in high school, Jones wrote the group's instrumental "Green Onions", which not only became a hit in 1962, but remains an enduring classic more than 40 years later.

Over the next few years, Jones would divide his time between studying classical music composition, composing and transposition at Indiana University, playing with the MGs on the weekends back in Memphis[1], serving as a session musician with other Stax acts, and writing songs that would become classics. He wrote, with Eddie Floyd, "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)", Otis Redding's "I Love You More Than Words Can Say", and, with William Bell, Albert King's "Born Under a Bad Sign." The latter would later be popularized in the cover version by power trio Cream.

In 1970, Jones moved to California and stopped playing sessions for Stax, after becoming frustrated with Stax's treatment of the MGs as employees rather than musicians. While still under contract to Stax, he appeared on Stephen Stills' eponymous album (1970). The 1971 album, Melting Pot would be the last Booker T. & the MGs album issued on Stax.

Jones produced three albums with his former wife, under the name Booker T. & Priscilla, as well as making the charts as a solo artist in 1981 with "I Want You". He produced Priscilla's sister Rita Coolidge, Bill Withers's debut album Just As I Am (on which he also played several instruments), and Willie Nelson's album Stardust. He has also lent his trademark keyboards to everyone from Ray Charles to Neil Young to Natalie Merchant. Jones currently still plays with Booker T. & the MGs and his own Booker T. Jones Band.

Jones was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and was honored with a Grammy award for lifetime achievement on February 11, 2007.

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Feel Good
Booker T. Jones Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna

I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I woke up starving like Marvin
I broke bread before I yawned
I started the storm before the calm
The goal is to beat the alarm
Look at these prophecies on my arm
Led me straight through the enemies camp without harm
Good luck requires charm
Clean up requires the brawn
They don't even know the lies
consistency is the con
This is my mind my house and my lawn
These are my rules my tools and my law
Either get correct right here or hit pause
You don't see the king or queen with no pawns
I manifest this with the authority of God
So we ready set go whether you ready or not
overwhelm the situation by giving it all I got
Masterpiece on the beat you out that on repeat and bust a block
I'm not
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I want it
They're reaching for lifelines
I'm on it
But it's been a lifetime
I'm wanted
For taking back what's mine
Be honest
We probably makin em nervous right
They wanna know if they heard us right
If Cole cook it up I'll serve it right right
Big dawg don't move with the herd advice
Step in the paint and get serviced I
Never had a problem with sacrifice why
There's always a consequence when you cook up
Paintings gon fall when the house gets shook up
I might fall face forward but still look up
Cause baby this ain't where we from
This where they took us
My momma said I got good genes not good luck
My daddy said keep ya nose clean and ya head up
My momma said what goes around comes back around
My daddy said that mean when you swing that you better duck
Ding ding step in the ring and get rocked
You can't change the time that's on my watch
Look how they cheer for our pain maybe we're not
Seeing the big picture from inside the box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Inna box I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna box
I'm not inna
Now shake that thang like it's free boo
Shake that thang for peace
I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
Yeah, yeah
Shake that thang like it's free boo
Shake that thang for peace
I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good Don't it feel good
When you know you on one and they respect it
When you cross a playa hatta off ya checklist
Feel like a little weight on ya necklace
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
When they hear the nonsense and they reject it
When you know you got a whole squad to step wit
When they figure out exactly who to mess wit
Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good
How ya really feel

Don't it feel good
Don't it feel good

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Booker T. Jones's song "Feel Good" convey a bold and confident attitude towards life. The repeated phrase "I'm not inna box" emphasizes that the singer refuses to be contained or limited by anyone or anything. They wake up hungry and ready to take on challenges, starting with their own personal storm. They are guided by prophecies and a belief in the power of consistency and hard work, all while asserting their authority over their own mind, house, and lawn. The singer is not afraid to take risks, but also recognizes the consequences that come with taking action.

The song highlights themes of self-empowerment and individuality, acknowledging the struggles that come with standing out but ultimately embracing the feeling of being in control of one's own destiny. The lyrics also touch upon the importance of having a supportive community and the satisfaction of seeing others reject negativity and embrace positivity.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not inna box
I refuse to conform to conventional expectations and limitations.

I woke up starving like Marvin
I am highly motivated and driven from the moment I wake up.

I broke bread before I yawned
I prioritize sustenance and nourishment before rest or idleness.

I started the storm before the calm
I take initiative and create action, even in uncertain or unpredictable circumstances.

The goal is to beat the alarm
I aim to achieve my goals and objectives before external time constraints interfere with my progress.

Led me straight through the enemies camp without harm
I am highly skilled and experienced, able to navigate difficult situations and overcome obstacles without incurring damage or loss.

Either get correct right here or hit pause
I demand respect and compliance with my expectations and standards, or else I am willing to disengage and redirect my focus.

These are my rules my tools and my law
I am in control of my own life and destiny, utilizing my own resources and knowledge to create my own path.

I manifest this with the authority of God
I approach my goals and objectives with intense conviction and purpose, relying on my beliefs and values to guide my decisions and actions.

We probably makin em nervous right
My confidence and success in achieving my goals may create discomfort or anxiety in those around me.

Never had a problem with sacrifice why
I am willing to endure hardship and sacrifice in order to achieve my goals, and do not view such experiences as obstacles or challenges.

Paintings gon fall when the house gets shook up
Chaos and turmoil may arise when one challenges the status quo and disrupts the existing power structure.

Step in the paint and get serviced I
Those who challenge me or seek to interfere with my progress will be swiftly and decisively dealt with.

My daddy said that mean when you swing that you better duck
My father taught me the importance of being cautious and alert when engaging with others who may be hostile or adversarial.

I got a whole ring on and a wifey at home so don't shake nothin for me
I am committed to a romantic relationship, and will not participate in any behavior that may undermine or jeopardize that commitment.

When you cross a playa hatta off ya checklist
I take note of and deal with those who are envious or jealous of my success, removing them from my social and professional circles as necessary.

When they figure out exactly who to mess wit
My reputation precedes me, and those who may seek to undermine or challenge me will think twice before doing so.

How ya really feel
I want to know and understand the true thoughts and emotions of those around me.

Don't it feel good
There is a sense of satisfaction and pride that comes with achieving one's goals and overcoming obstacles.

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Daniel Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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