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 on the Wonder
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you ever think of me
I'm on the wonder
If you ever think of me
Lord know, I love you
But I'm linvin' in misery
Tell me why
Tell me why, tell me why
Why you treat me, the way you do
You know girl, you make me love
Then you turned around
And you treat me
Just like a fool
I'm on the wonder
If you ever think of me
I'm on the wonder
If you ever think of me
Little girl you know I love you
But I'm linvin' in misery
In Clifton Chenier's song, "I'm on the Wonder," the singer expresses his feelings about a woman he loves but who treats him poorly. The repeated refrain "I'm on the wonder, if you ever think of me" expresses the singer's deep longing for her attention and affection. He loves her, but he is also living in misery because of how she treats him. He is confused and frustrated, asking her why she treats him the way she does.
The lyrics suggest a kind of emotional rollercoaster - the woman makes the singer feel loved and desired, but then she turns around and treats him "just like a fool." The phrase "on the wonder" is a colloquialism that means to be in a state of confusion or wonderment, which aptly captures the singer's state of mind.
Overall, the song conveys a message that is still relevant today - the complexities of romantic relationships and the way that they can evoke strong emotions, both positive and negative. Chenier's deep, soulful voice adds to the emotional intensity of the song, making it a powerful expression of the pain that can come with love.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the wonder
I am constantly in a state of wonder and uncertainty.
If you ever think of me
I wonder if you ever think about me and the pain you put me through.
Lord know, I love you
I love you, but it seems like it may not be enough.
But I'm linvin' in misery
I am living in a state of unhappiness and distress.
Tell me why
I need an explanation for your actions and treatment towards me.
Why you treat me just the way you do
I want to understand why you constantly mistreat me and disrespect my feelings.
You know girl, you make me love
I have strong feelings of love towards you due to your actions and behavior.
Then you turned around
However, your actions changed suddenly and unexpectedly.
And you treat me, just like a fool
You treat me with disrespect and disregard, like I am foolish for loving you.
Little girl you know I love you
Despite everything, my love for you persists.
Contributed by Tristan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.