Chenier, a Creole French-speaking native of Opelousas, Louisiana, was an eminent performer and recording artist of Zydeco, which arose from Cajun and Creole music, with rhythm & blues, jazz, and blues influences. He won a Grammy Award in 1983. In 1984 he was honored as a National Heritage Fellow and in 1989 he was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
He was known as the 'King of Zydeco', and also billed as the 'King of the South'.
Chenier began his recording career in 1954, when he signed with Elko Records and released Clifton's Blues, a regional success. His first hit record was soon followed by "Ay 'Tite Fille (Hey, Little Girl)" (a cover of Professor Longhair's song). This received some mainstream success. With the Zydeco Ramblers, Chenier toured extensively. He also toured in the early days with Clarence Garlow, billed as the 'Two Crazy Frenchmen'. Chenier was signed with Chess Records in Chicago, followed by the Arhoolie label.
In April 1966, Chenier appeared at the Berkeley Blues Festival on the University of California campus and was subsequently described by Ralph J. Gleason, Jazz critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, as "... one of the most surprising musicians I have heard in some time, with a marvelously moving style of playing the accordion .. blues accordion, that's right, blues accordion."
Chenier was the first act to play at Antone's, a blues club on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. Later in 1976, he reached a national audience when he appeared on the premiere season of the PBS music program Austin City Limits.[8] Three years later in 1979 he returned to the show with his Red Hot Louisiana Band.[9]
Chenier's popularity peaked in the 1980s, and he was recognized with a Grammy Award in 1983 for his album I'm Here.[1] It was the first Grammy for his new label Alligator Records. Chenier followed Queen Ida as the second Louisiana Creole to win a Grammy.
Chenier is credited with redesigning the wood and crimped tin washboard into the frottoir, an instrument that would easily hang from the shoulders. Cleveland Chenier, Clifton's older brother, also played in the Red Hot Louisiana Band. He found popularity for his ability to manipulate the distinctive sound of the frottoir by rubbing several bottle openers (held in each hand) along its ridges.
During their prime, Chenier and his band traveled throughout the world.
Chenier suffered from diabetes which eventually forced him to have a foot amputated and required dialysis because of associated kidney problems.
He died of diabetes-related kidney disease in December 1987 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was buried in All Souls Cemetery in Loreauville, Iberia Parish, Louisiana.
Since 1987 his son, C. J. Chenier, has carried on the Zydeco tradition by touring with his father's band and recording albums.
In 1989, Chenier was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Rory Gallagher wrote a song in tribute to Chenier entitled "The King of Zydeco". Paul Simon mentioned Chenier in his song "That Was Your Mother", from his 1986 album Graceland. John Mellencamp refers to "Clifton" in his song "Lafayette", about the Louisiana city where Chenier often performed. The song is on Mellencamp's 2003 album Trouble No More. Zachary Richard mentioned Chenier in his song "Clif's Zydeco" (on Richard's 2012 album Le Fou).
The jam band Phish often covers Chenier's song "My Soul" in live performances.
Chenier is the subject of Les Blank's 1973 documentary film, Hot Pepper.
Ay-Te Te Fee
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh'tite fille
Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille
Toi t'es si jolie
Hé tite fille, hé tite fille
Ooh, tite fille
OùT'as été hier aux soir
Hey little girl
Lord, You sure look fine
Hey little girl
Lord, You sure look fine
Hey little girl
Lord I want you for mine
Hé tite fille, hé tite fille
Ooh tite fille
OùT'as été hier aux soir
Hé tite fille toi t'es si jolie
The lyrics of Clifton Chenier's song "Ay-Te Te Fee" are a combination of French and English languages. The song is a classic example of the Creole music genre that originated in Louisiana in the early 20th century. The song's title, "Ay-Te Te Fee," is a phonetic spelling of "Irete mi fe," a phrase that means "Let me have It" in Creole. The song's lyrics express the singer's admiration for a young woman.
The first verse of the song opens with "Hé'tite fille," which translates to "Hey little girl." The phrase is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's desire for the woman's attention. He compliments her beauty, singing, "Toi t'es si jolie," which means "You are so pretty." In the chorus, the singer wonders where the woman was the night before and expresses his interest in making her his.
The song's lyrics are simple but convey a flirtatious and romantic tone. The combination of French and English languages adds a unique flavor to the song, reflecting the Creole culture and language of Louisiana. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody make it a popular choice for dancing and live performances.
Line by Line Meaning
Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille
Hey little girl
Ooh'tite fille
Lord, You sure look fine
Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille
Hey little girl
Toi t'es si jolie
Lord I want you for mine
Hé tite fille, hé tite fille
Hey little girl
OùT'as été hier aux soir
Where were you last night
Hé tite fille toi t'es si jolie
Hey little girl, you sure look fine
Contributed by Aaron O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@brazilcreative1063
Playing Mafia 3 and listening, show 👍🇧🇷
@vernonhills9468
James Lee Burke and Dave Robichaux got me to this classic. Thanks to both y'all
@CowtownPattie
Me too!
@tuledude89
2022
@johncollier8232
And then the Harry Choates La Jolie Blon.
@TheNZDoug
New Iberia Blues👍🏻
@brunogingras798
me either
@Rick5122.
Ideal music for drive in the Bayu
@massonman9099
This is mentioned in James Lee Burke's book, 'In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead'. Great book set in Cajun country. Can't recommend it highly enough. Great writer.
@chris4235
Those books got me looking up and liking Cajun music and also Zydeco.
Read the book and saw the movie. Tommy Lee Jones was great as Dave Robecheaux