Cockburn's early albums were fairly straight ahead folk music spotlighting his brilliant guitar playing. In fact, there were a good number of instrumental guitar numbers on those early recordings. A Christian element came into his music around the time of the album Salt, Sun and Time, and over time his writing has taken on a stronger and stronger political orientation.
Perhaps the most consistent element of Cockburn's music has been his willingness to change and evolve over time. In this way, he is similar to fellow Canadians Joni Mitchell and Neil Young.
He has had a couple of radio hits in the United States, including (Wondering Where the Lions Are and If I Had a Rocket Launcher).
His albums in the 80s are considered some of his strongest, including Humans, Inner City Front, Stealing Fire, and Big Circumstance. After Big Circumstance he struggled with writer's block, and his output began to slow down; but he recovered with the formidable Nothing But a Burning Light, which led the way back to a sparer, more folk-oriented form of music. His later album The Charity of Night contains one of his most thoughtful songs, Pacing the Cage.
His 2006 album Life Short Call Now was preceded by Speechless, a collection of instrumentals, many of them from earlier albums. The album highlights Cockburn's prodigious abilities as a guitarist.
Cockburn's 31st studio album,Small Source of Comfort was released in March, 2011. BruceCockburn.com called the album "an adventurous collection of songs of romance, protest and spiritual discovery. The album, primarily acoustic yet rhythmically savvy, is rich in Cockburnās characteristic blend of folk, blues, jazz and rock."
Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long
Bruce Cockburn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching everybody stand around and cheat
A man comes up and says
Move along back to the corner where you belong
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Hear the city singing like a siren choir
Some fool tried to set this town on fire
I feel like Fay Wray face to face with King Kong
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Sometimes I wonder what I am
Feel like I'm living in a hologram
It doesn't seem to matter what's right or wrong
Everybody's grabbing and coming on strong
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Yes, she does
Mama just wants to barrel house all night long
The song "Mama Just Wants to Barrelhouse All Night Long" by Bruce Cockburn is about the struggle between conformity and rebellion. The singer is observing the people around him who are cheating and breaking rules while a man tells him to move back to where he belongs. However, the singer's mother only desires to drink and dance all night in a barrelhouse. The city becomes a siren choir with the sounds of destruction and the TV preacher encourages people to join in. The singer then feels like Fay Wray, the female protagonist in the King Kong movie, who is trapped and helpless in the face of danger.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has lost his sense of identity and is trapped in a reality where right and wrong do not matter anymore. He is surrounded by people who are eager to grasp and take what they want. His mother's desire to just enjoy life and forget about the issues of the outside world is in stark contrast to the greed and corruption around him.
Line by Line Meaning
I was up the road on easy street
I was watching from afar as people took advantage of each other, living in a world where things seem to come easy.
Watching everybody stand around and cheat
As I observed, everyone seemed to be dishonest and trying to get ahead through any means necessary.
A man comes up and says
Someone approached me and spoke to me.
Move along back to the corner where you belong
He told me to leave and go back to my place of supposed inferiority.
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Despite the circumstances, all my mother wishes to do is to engage in lively music and dancing throughout the night.
Hear the city singing like a siren choir
The sounds of the city ring out like a beautiful but deadly call to those who hear it.
Some fool tried to set this town on fire
Someone tried to bring destruction to this place.
TV preacher screams come on along
A television evangelist is shouting for people to join him and his beliefs.
I feel like Fay Wray face to face with King Kong
I feel overwhelmed and helpless, as if in a situation where I am face to face with a monster.
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Despite everything that's going on, my mother only desires to dance the whole night away.
Sometimes I wonder what I am
I often have moments of self-doubt where I question my identity and purpose.
Feel like I'm living in a hologram
It seems like I am just going through the motions of life without truly experiencing anything real.
It doesn't seem to matter what's right or wrong
Morality and ethics seem to hold little relevance in this situation.
Everybody's grabbing and coming on strong
Everyone is trying to compete and gain an advantage through forceful means.
But mama just wants to barrel house all night long
Despite the chaos and immorality, my mother's only wish is to dance and enjoy the moment.
Yes, she does
Affirming that my mother truly just wants to have fun and dance all night long.
Lyrics Ā© CARLIN AMERICA INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sharon Mc
This is one fine, smooth song.
Tearloch
It just seems to get better with age ..
dee
I used to have this albumš
Real Fagnan
This languid beauty was my introduction to your music many years ago Bruce, Iām a veteran guitarist, longtime fan, and I couldāve sworn I saw you walking down 4th ave in Whitehorse ( by the No Pop Shoppe I think it was called then) lateā70ās or early ā80ās I think- I was living there at the time. Could that have been you O northern magus? ( I would genuflect but that would seem a bit obsequious would it not?ššøšš
Richard Scott
Anyone know who the pianist was on this song?
Bob Davis
Pat Godfrey.
Raster J Ohm
MMMMMMMMM