Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) was an American Zydeco … Read Full Bio ↴Clifton Chenier (June 25, 1925 - December 12, 1987) was an American Zydeco accordion player and singer.
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.
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.
My Soul
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'My Soul' by these artists:
24Bush She want to love me got my soul Do you just…
279tyler I can't run from the voices in my head I cant…
3rd Coast Yeay Oh Baby, love is always on my mind (ooh) Oh-ho Oh-ooh-o…
3rd Root Our souls are free But I now can see That my soul,…
4/3/98 My soul left my body The day you left me Oh tell…
570JV Devil called he said that he want my soul (he…
A Colour Cold Black Just blood and bones won't make my body Go out…
A.V.E.R. I was drunk When I fucked you I was with my wife But…
Amederia My fate's skimpy Didn't give me warm I Want to know, want…
Anacrusis Crashing in, down around my ears Brow-beaten self for all th…
and you I deflected these emotions that I felt, Couldn’t let them fl…
Awoodah They don't really care about us Dem go only care about…
Ayub Ali Gian w gian, gianakam, gian w gian, gianakam Kcholay Kurdist…
B-Loc Jesus I pray you protect my soul (My soul my soul) These…
B.E.R.I.D.O.X. I can't find no peace I'm in the street trying to…
B.H. 22 As you age The rest of your life Is about Giving a fuck…
Boosie Badazz & Zaytoven Have mercy on my soul, shine on Have have mercy, have…
Chain999 You dont own my soul Get your hands off of me Wanna…
ChillPanic This is the first and the last time My mind is…
Chris Chris Never found what I had lost Only lost all I'd ever…
Coolio Soul (My soul, my soul) My soul My soul (My soul) Soul (My…
Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker Playing your tune Love is in The air Listen to me I'm always…
Cymarshall Law and Mr. Joeker That's that Severe talk Put me on, put me on, get…
D.J Bass 305 Oh lawdy, oh lawdy Rareflower lil' mami I know you miss that…
D.J.G Save my soul Somebody save my soul Please won't you save my…
Dubb feat. Jake&Papa Let's get straight to it I'm really him and I make…
E'Major Imma need you in my life Need you every time…
Ed's The road to my soul wasn't paved with gold It was…
Emma Shapplin My soul I drowned. Thy tears to taste. Their lapping sound…
F.O.H Away Away Away Away Away Away They talk how I've been…
FGACYC Worship Oh, How I need you Jesus My soul longs for…
Fliptrix Five roaches, psychosis, mind open Eyes closed but still cry…
FLO Lately been dreaming 'bout you, baby I know this all sounds…
Forgotten Tales Many countries I have crossed And many rumors I've heard All…
French Montana & Chinx I pray to God I ain't ever dying broke If I…
FUELED BY NATURE My Soul (My Soul) My Soul My Soul (My Soul) My Soul My Soul …
GA-20 Work time, play time Sleeping people making ground Every day…
Gunna I ain't sellin' my soul I just need to slow down We…
Heritage When peace like a river, attendeth my way When sorrows like…
In-Deed Some people don't believe in soulmates but I do We got…
Inside Out Awake my soul These walls are breaking down Jesus take me ho…
J.B. Hutto Said I put that on my soul, I swear To…
J.Hind My soul My soul My soul My soul My soul My soul My soul Uh C…
Jack-o-Lantern It's honey on my tongue Hallelujah on my lips It's the shive…
Jae R Smoking that stable freedom Exhaling barely breathing Hoping…
Jamie Davies Oh my soul is gradually feeling alive No one knows how…
Jay-May (AceLexGottaFool1) My soul My soul My soul My soul Yeah I do…
Jean-Christian Michel (These were the original lyrics. They were rewritten and los…
Jimmy I be chilling with the gang b*tch, and f*cking on…
Johnny Winter Why do I sit and cry Without a reason, I don't…
July Yeah I love the way you say my name I'm staring out…
K.b. Paranoid man I smoke on my own I can't fuck with…
K.Williams Pain, I think it's time to get some money Been chasin'…
Kato Miliyah 加藤ミリヤ Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah, ooh oh Your ladies, your ladies まだ納…
KeTeKalles Myyyy... soooouuulll Leave, watch my soul, where do fit my s…
Kuzu Mellow I lost my soul inside my closet I have no clue…
L.C.N. 魂を欲しがる悪魔 望まれるがままに それが天国の道を塞いでも 願いが叶うなら 大切な君をさらって 遠い街へ行こう そし…
Le Garde I've been thinking about you lately, I've been thinking abou…
Lil HotB Reach in me take out my soul I don't wanna let…
Lowkey [Intro] They say The fool thinks himself to be wise,but the…
LUUV. Shiloh Dynasty You don't own my soul Get your hands off of me gotta rest…
Marcus Intalex; St. Files I'm all alone and I want to go home But I…
Maria Why you wanna make me cry? Aren't you tired of disappointing…
Melissa Hollick Wait here for me in the mist of the world I'll…
Mikhale Jones I’m feeling lost and I don’t know where to start Pen…
Money Man I walk in the booth and I pour out my…
móst Ohhhhhh I’ll ignite my soul Death before control Woah oh ooo…
Mr. MoudZ That's that Severe talk Put me on, put me on, get…
Mr. Thibs Playing your tune Love is in The air Listen to me I'm always…
Ms. Janette Tell me why you niggas putting salt in the game That…
My Soul fake, is the name of this nothing for you, stay away…
Nitin Sawhney I long to know all your secrets I want to walk…
NOHEZZO Turn me up gq Nohezzo niggaaa Aye Lotta of things i done …
one & One Pain, I think it's time to get some money Been chasin'…
PADILLION ты понимаешь мне так сложно в этом мире быть собой не…
Paul D. Lewis Ooh! My soul Baby baby, baby baby, baby Don't you know my…
PCAJAY I could blow up any minute, but it's a lot…
Peter Mayer There are a hundred billion snowflakes swirling in the cosmi…
Phish Why do I sit and cry Without a reason I don't…
Pimm's 凸凹な思考回路 なぜ "am I wrong?" 自問自答 終わる事無い続く mission また繰り返される try …
PORTENKILLA PORTENKILLA smoked out Girl that's gonna get high with you L…
Pure-N-Heart BrxxklynBeatz Got some shit on my soul and I keep that…
Pyinfamous & Sam.i.Am theSon Pain, I think it's time to get some money Been chasin'…
Rashid Metal Hear mi Hello, hello, hello Rashid metal Hello, hello, hello…
reaptokyo Every time you leave me I don't ever wanna go And I…
Richard Thompson My soul, my soul, my soul My soul, my soul, my…
Sawhney Nitin I long to know all your secrets I want to walk…
Say Yes Dog This is a thing that that i need, can feel you…
Silnt I know better and I can't do this No... You let me…
St. Peter and Paul Cathedral-M I'm all alone and I want to go home But I…
StereoType Round the corner Or at the helm Sat a little girl In her…
T-CUTS Well, somebody found it somewhere at an old flea market fair…
Tahoma Can't get you out my head Get you out my soul Oh,…
The Heart I heard that lonesome whistle And I hopped that downbound tr…
The LoveCrave Reflections got so clear and The mirror hurts but it can't…
The Merry Christmas Symphonic Ensemble & Chorus Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side Bear…
The moon When you left me I wouldn't be the same Be the same I…
The Pharcyde ("My hip-hop will rock and shock the nation") The way that…
Thrice Are you ready? Are you alive to all that moves in…
U.Poet I deflected these emotions that I felt, Couldn’t let them fl…
Vance Charles and the Sonics I say I want it all and then some more I…
Various Artists Jesu, lover of my soul Let me to Thy bosom fly While…
W.T.P. I been fighting demons Man I'm watching them run after me Hi…
Young Moe Thats on my soul Thats on my soul I done been broke…
¥$ Won't be gettin' sleep tonight and I'm cryin' as I…
加藤ミリヤ Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah, ooh oh Your ladies, your ladies まだ納…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Clifton Chenier:
All Night Long Cockburn Bruce 73 Night Vision Mama Just Wants To Barrelho…
Ay-Te Te Fee Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille Ooh'tite fille Hé'tite fille,…
Ay-Tete-Fee Hé'tite fille, hé'tite fille Ooh'tite fille Hé'tite fil…
Bon Ton Roulet Et tout quelqu'une Allons amuser Tu juste vis une fois Et qu…
Calinda Tua boca linda Essa boca linda Essa boca linda Tua boca lind…
Driftin' Blues Well I'm drifting and drifting, Like a ship out on the…
Dry Your Eyes Don't cry, don't cry, baby Don't you cry, don't you cry Dry…
Eh 'Tite Fille Oh, oh, 'tite fille, oh, toi qu'est si jolie, Oh, oh,…
I You went away and left me long time ago And now…
I'm a Hog for You nae nalkeun gitareul deureo haji motan gobaegeul hogeun goji…
I'm Coming Home I'm, I'm coming home 'Cause I feel, you know I feel…
I'm on the Wonder I'm on the wonder If you ever think of me I'm on…
Le Blues De La Vache A Lait Well, I woke up this morning And I looked out the…
Moi J'Ai Une P'tite Femme Well, I got a woman, way over town She's good to…
Rosemary If you see Rose Mary, tell her I'm coming home…
Shake Rattle And Roll Get out from that kitchen, And rattle those pots and pans, …
What Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong Come and love your…
Whole Lotta Lovin I've got a whole lotta loving for you True, true loving…
Yesterday Yesterday, I lost the best friend I ever had Yesterday, I…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@amarneconsulting5147
An incredible song from Clifton. Righteous Bros, Little Richard and lots of Clifton. Mama mama indeed.
@BAGAKOOS
As someone from South Louisiana, I love the fact that Phish covers this!
@fimoqueen
Phish takes all the soul out it. Their cover is terrible.
@Taboot761
@@fimoqueenor they add their own Phish-y fun to it. Relax dude.
@luisguedes7590
I only knew the Johnny Winter version on the Guitar Slinger album. Fantastic song.
@annieskovgaardkristensen994
Wonderful🙏
@cliefclinton
wonderful
@torbjornbrunzell5060
great!
@onitram1
Etta James on background vocals.
@gunsnfnroses
1:21 makes me smile :D :D :D