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.
I'm a Hog for You
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
hogeun gojipseure samkin iyagireul
norae hana mandeun cheok jigeum malharyeo haeyo
geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you
neomu saranghajiman saranghanda mal an hae
eosaekhae jajonsim heorak an hae
oneureun yonggi naeseo na malhal tejiman
musimhi deureoyo I'll sing for you
naege eolmana keun uimiin geolkka?
hagopeun mal, nohchyeobeorin mal
gobaekhal tejiman geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
geunyang hanbeon deutgo useoyo
jogeum useupjyo naegen geudae bakke eopsneunde
gakkeumeun namboda motan na
sasireun geudae pume meorikareul bubigo
angigo sipeun geonde marijyo
The way you cry, the way you smile
naege eolmana keun uimiin geolkka?
doraseomyeo huhoehaedeon mal
sagwahal tejiman geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
amureohji anheun cheokhaeyo
maeil neomu gamsahae geudaega isseoseo
sinkkeseo jusin nae seonmul
oneuri jinamyeon nan tto eosaekhae haljido
hajiman oneureun kkok malhago sipeo geureoni deureoyo
The way you cry, the way you smile
naege eolmana keun uimiin geolkka?
hagopeun mal, nohchyeobeorin mal
gobaekhal tejiman jom eosaekhajiman
geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you
nae nalkeun gitareul deureo haji motan gobaegeul
I couldn't play my guitar to the praise that you deserved
hogeun gojipseure samkin iyagireul
The hidden story that's trapped in your throat
norae hana mandeun cheok jigeum malharyeo haeyo
Just listen to one song that I will sing for you
geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you
I'm just going to sing for you
neomu saranghajiman saranghanda mal an hae
I love you so much, but I can't say I love you
eosaekhae jajonsim heorak an hae
I don't want to scare you or make you uncomfortable
oneureun yonggi naeseo na malhal tejiman
I have the courage to tell you today
musimhi deureoyo I'll sing for you
Just listen to me singing for you silently
The way you cry, the way you smile
I adore the way you express your emotions
naege eolmana keun uimiin geolkka?
How much emotion do you reveal to me?
hagopeun mal, nohchyeobeorin mal
Words you want to say, but stopped yourself from saying
gobaekhal tejiman geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
Even though I want to confess, instead I'll sing for you
geunyang hanbeon deutgo useoyo
Just listen to it once
jogeum useupjyo naegen geudae bakke eopsneunde
It's not enough for me, but you're the only one
gakkeumeun namboda motan na
Sometimes, I can't even catch up with you
sasireun geudae pume meorikareul bubigo
Secretly leaning my head on your shoulder
angigo sipeun geonde marijyo
There's something I want to say to you, but I hold it back
doraseomyeo huhoehaedeon mal
Words that I regretted saying when I turned around
sagwahal tejiman geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
Even though I want to apologize, instead I'll sing for you
amureohji anheun cheokhaeyo
This is a way of saying it without words
maeil neomu gamsahae geudaega isseoseo
I'm grateful for you every day
sinkkeseo jusin nae seonmul
This is the gift I'm sending to you
oneuri jinamyeon nan tto eosaekhae haljido
Tomorrow, I might act shy again
hajiman oneureun kkok malhago sipeo geureoni deureoyo
But today, I really want to say it, so please listen
jom eosaekhajiman geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you, sing for you
It might be a little awkward, but I'll just sing for you
geunyang deureoyo I'll sing for you
I'm just going to sing for you
Writer(s): Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Contributed by Nolan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Toracube
I have an accordion somewhere. Love the sound of this. Never hear this before. Great Great Great !!
jackemlyn062
Pure poetry!
Nunya Bizz
This brings back so many memories of my grandpa!!!!
Rosa Vito
One of the Chenier greats!
greggy stag
I thought the Dr Feelgood version was superb..... until I heard this! Brilliant!
Damita Carroll
The King! ❤️❤️❤️
Pamela espinosa
I Still love Clifton
BjavaBbotBme
Cool jammin` tune from Mr. Chenier ;)))
Marc Isaac
as a young man I would go to Black clubs to see Clifton .....whole different show..blues
SALİH ÇELİKKOL
Lousiana Blues by C.Chenier with accordion, wonderfull.