Feathers was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and recorded a string of popular singles like "Peepin' Eyes," "Defrost Your Heart," "Tongue-Tied Jill," and "Bottle to the Baby" on Sun Records, Meteor and King Records in the 1950s.
Feathers was known for being a master of shifting emotional and sonic dynamics in his songs. His theatrical, hiccup-styled, energetic, rockabilly vocal style inspired a later generation of rock vocalists, including Lux Interior of The Cramps.
He studied and recorded several songs with Junior Kimbrough, whom he called "the beginning and end of all music". His childhood influences were reflected in his later music of the 1970s and 1980s, which had an easy-paced, sometimes sinister, country-blues tempo, as opposed to the frenetic fast-paced style favored by some of his rockabilly colleagues of the 1950s.
He started out as a session musician at Sun Studios, playing any side instrument he could in the hopes of someday making his own music there. He eventually played on a small label started by Sam Phillips called Flip records which got him enough attention to record a couple singles for Sun Records and Holiday Inn Records. By all accounts the singer was not held in much regard by Phillips, but Feathers often made the audacious claim that he had arranged "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky" for Elvis Presley and recorded "Good Rockin' Tonight" months before Presley. He also claimed that his "We're Getting Closer (To Being Apart)" had been intended to be Elvis' sixth single for Sun. He did, however, get his name on one of Elvis' Sun records, "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" when the writer Stan Kesler asked him to record a demo of the song.
He then moved on to Meteor Records and then King Records where he recorded his best-known work. When his King contract ran out he still continued to perform, although Feathers—perhaps typically—thought there was a conspiracy to keep his music from gaining the popularity it deserved.
In the mid-1980s, he performed at times at new music nightclubs like the Antenna Club in Memphis, Tennessee, sharing the bill with rock-and-roll bands like Tav Falco's Panther Burns, who, as devoted fans of Feathers, had introduced him to their label's president. During this time, rockabilly icon Colonel Robert Morris played drums for Charlie. Charlie said "Robert tore up a brand new set of drums, but the crowd was dancing on the tables".
He released his New Jungle Fever album in 1987 and Honkey Tonk Man in 1988, featuring the lead guitar work of his son, Bubba Feathers. These later albums of original songs penned by Feathers were released on the French label New Rose Records, whose other 1980s releases included albums by cult music heroes like Johnny Thunders, Alex Chilton, Roky Erickson, The Cramps, The Gun Club, and others.
Charlie Feathers died on August 29, 1998.
Feathers' song, "That Certain Female" was featured on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film, Kill Bill Vol. 1. His "Can't Hardly Stand It" was featured on the follow-up Kill Bill Vol. 2 soundtrack.
Charlie Feathers' pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Bob Dylan has featured Charlie Feathers on the second season of his XM satellite radio show Theme Time Radio Hour, playing Feathers' records "One Hand Loose" (on the "Countdown" show, Dec. 12, 2007) and "Defrost Your Heart" (on the "Cold" show, April 2, 2008).
One Hand Loose
Charlie Feathers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep away from the corners is what I got to say
With a-one hand only, get a-ready for a ride
Give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Give me a free hand baby, 'cause I wanna rock
Turn me loose and maybe I will blow my top
Give me a free hand woman, let it swing by my side
Just give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Well, feel the rhythm in your bones and you know how I feel
But don't you grab me close baby, this time is for real
Get ready for some rockin', pick 'em up and put 'em down
Give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Give me a free hand baby, 'cause I wanna rock
Turn me loose and maybe I will blow my top
Give me a free hand baby, let it swing by my side
Just give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Satisfied! Oh, do it!
The lyrics to Charlie Feathers's song One Hand Loose speak of a man who is self-assured and confident. He declares himself to be a "tip-top daddy," indicating a level of coolness and style. He cautions his listeners to "keep away from the corners," suggesting that he is dangerous and unpredictable. He then asks for a "free hand" to rock, indicating a desire for freedom and self-expression. The refrain "give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing his desire for autonomy and control.
The lyrics suggest a musical style that Feathers was known for: rockabilly. Rockabilly is a sub-genre of rock and roll that emerged in the mid-1950s, characterized by its fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. Feathers was one of the pioneers of rockabilly, known for his high energy performances, wild stage persona, and unique vocal style. The lyrics reflect this style, with their allusions to rhythm and bones, rockin', and blowing his top.
One interesting fact about One Hand Loose is that it was originally released as a B-side to the song Nobody's Woman in 1956. However, it quickly gained popularity and became one of Feathers's signature songs. It has since been covered by numerous artists, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Wanda Jackson, and Carl Perkins.
Another interesting fact is that Feathers was born in rural Mississippi and grew up in a musical family. His father played the fiddle and his mother played the guitar. Feathers himself began playing music at a young age and went on to become a prolific songwriter and performer, recording over 400 songs before his death in 1998.
The chords to One Hand Loose are as follows:
Intro: A
Verse 1: A-E-D-A
Chorus: A-D-A-E
Verse 2: A-E-D-A
Chorus: A-D-A-E
Solo: A-E-D-A
Chorus: A-D-A-E
Verse 3: A-E-D-A
Chorus: A-D-A-E
Outro: A
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a tip-top daddy and I'm gonna have my way
I am confident and I am going to do what I want
Keep away from the corners is what I got to say
Stay out of trouble and avoid any danger
With a-one hand only, get a-ready for a ride
I only need one hand to have a good time and party
Give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Allow me some freedom, and I will be happy
Give me a free hand baby, 'cause I wanna rock
Let me do what I want, because I want to dance
Turn me loose and maybe I will blow my top
Let me go wild and I might get really excited
Give me a free hand woman, let it swing by my side
Allow me the freedom to move my arms while I dance
Just give me one hand loose and I'll be satisfied
Allow me a little bit of freedom and I will be happy
Well, feel the rhythm in your bones and you know how I feel
When you feel the music deeply, you will understand my passion
But don't you grab me close baby, this time is for real
Don't try to restrain me in any way, because I am serious about enjoying myself
Get ready for some rockin', pick 'em up and put 'em down
Get ready to dance, move your feet and have fun
Satisfied! Oh, do it!
I am happy with just a little bit of freedom, and I want to keep dancing!
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHARLIE FEATHERS, JERRY HUFFMAN, JOE CHASTAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tommckenzie4493
What a slice of Rockabilly magic,I was lucky to meet Charlie backstage in 1984 (I think) when he played Bristol UK.
@Stefan_der_Oberfranke
almost forgotten in the US like Joe Clay & others.
@tommckenzie4493
@@Stefan_der_Oberfranke Such a shame,Charlie is a legend in Rockabilly history as is Joe Clay
@GrivusDima
From song on GTA 5 radio to the author of the most cool rockabilly song!
@marinara9332
Just wonderful! I really love Rockabilly It's My favorite music Salutes From Mexico
@frenchhornwoman
Not heard this for a while but it popped up on a memory on FB so here I am listening and adding it to my Spotify play list. Thank you.
@rinushaemerlingh6021
Great music. Charlie Feathers: You rock!
@declanmcgowan7780
Hit the floor it's boppin
Time..brings me back to the 80s London..
Some great venues👊
@mitchly
Always reminds me of the Royalty, Southgate. In fact, that's where I (kind of) met Charlie Feathers. Great days.
@jameslindstrom1127
when i first heard this i could think was wow why isn't this guy a household name he really is one of the true greats 100% american music as only true americans can do it...........