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.
Think It Over
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Think It Over' by these artists:
Alan Toussaint Hey... yeah I've known u For a long long time now We…
Albert Lee & Jimmy Page & John Paul Jones Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
Alison-Petty-Holly Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
Allison Moorer (Wait, let me get the sweat off my fingers) You…
Allisons (Wait, let me get the sweat off my fingers) You…
Andrew Younker I don't want to make it hard Pick it up tomorrow…
anthony and the anamals I don't wanna be in lockdown no more I don't wanna…
B. Moore Lord I wonder, yes I wonder Do my baby think of…
Barbara Dickson You, say your time is taken Yet it's true That your heart…
Bilal I like to think about all the fun we had Up…
Black A.G. 笑えない人の 彼岸に到達した ooh 自己中心性は 病に等しい 家族の写真が 思えばほとんどなかった ooh 未来永劫 …
Black Box You gotta understand, yes you do, I just think it′s over Yo…
Block & Crown & Paul Parsons We should talk That's what you said to me On the beach You…
Boo & Gotti Noites escuras te procuro não precisa mais ter pressa Eu …
Born At Midnite Bringing the violence almost everyday When you’re all alone…
Buck Owens When I woke up this morning you were gone the…
Buddy Holly Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
BUDDY in concert - die Rock 'n' Roll-Show Some friends, you left me hanging In a room with a…
C.G. 笑えない人の 彼岸に到達した ooh 自己中心性は 病に等しい 家族の写真が 思えばほとんどなかった ooh 未来永劫 …
Canterbury One of those days turns into one of those nights We're…
Cheryl Ladd You said you needed time to think it over You said…
Cissy & Whitney Houston Think it over, think it over... Some people say You've…
Cleveland P. Jones Think it over one more time Think it over one more…
Crickets Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
Delafose Geno Think it over one more time Think it over one more…
Donna De Lory It's so funny the way you always act surprised When I…
DownTown Mystic You're feeling down now And you say you're getting older Don…
Dumb As Rocks The very first thing I said to you was hey I…
E Ness & 9th Wonder What up to Finn the human What up to Jake the…
E. Ness Hear me out as I vent, cir it out of my…
E.ness Didn't know it would be our last goodbye Didn't think that…
Eric Clapton Jimmy Page & Albert Lee Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
Frankie & The Classicals It ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe It…
Geno Delafose Think it over one more time Think it over one more…
Ghostface Killah Yo, ah-yo this joint right here is about When you goin'…
Guitar Slim Think it over one more time Think it over one more…
Gutterball Started with letters from the telephone man Even though the …
H-Boogie Tell me what you think 'bout that We could take it…
Hailey Gardiner One of these days When the time is feeling right And we're…
harmony.fm: Ringo Starr I can't take this no more[no no] I'm tired of this…
Hippo Campus you've got time to think it over you've got time to…
Houston Cissy Think it over, think it over... Some people say You've…
Imaginary Friend Call me Bizzy Deniro or 8 Stallone Eye of the tiger…
Islander You're just sitting there, laid back. There's no sense in li…
J. Page J.P. Jones A. Lee Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
J.J. Barnes Yeah Shadow man Ha! J,E Ah, it's over now Come on, it's over…
JBS Don't think about it Don't think about it It is funny but…
Jeff Lynne Summer came and passed away, hardly seemed to last a day but…
Jimi Page & Friends Cruel and relentless winds of time are blowing through my…
Jimmy Page Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
Jimmy Page John Paul Jones & John Bonham Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
Jimmy Page/John Paul Jones/Albert Lee Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin) Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
Jr. Cadillac We got to stop and think it over before we…
Kool & The Gang Warning, MC's stand back You better take a chill and observe…
L-Shaped Room Alright I'm tired of fuckin hearing it Motherfuckas tryna bu…
L.P.G. 笑えない人の 彼岸に到達した ooh 自己中心性は 病に等しい 家族の写真が 思えばほとんどなかった ooh 未来永劫 …
Little Kid Blooms brown bruise me with your mouth underneath my gown Sw…
Lou Reed Walking, he stared raptly at her face On his lips, her…
Mammoth WVH One by one Remembering a brighter sun All you love will fall…
Marc Killian Been thinking about you baby Many times you've walked away A…
Marvin Holmes And The Rush You and I Took the road as far as it would…
Michael Zager Think it over, think it over... Some people say You've…
Michael Zager Band Think it over, think it over... Some people say You've…
Mike Berry Hey, hey, baby Where'd you think you're runnin' to Hey, hey,…
Mr. Brown Ooh 널 사랑해 나의 마음이 너에게 닿기를 바래 너를 사랑해 baby 너만…
Mr. Mack You saying baby I'll take you for a ride Let's get…
Mr. Marcellus Yea yea Mr. respectfully You were here for a long time and…
Mr.Marcellus ft. ST 2 Lettaz You saying baby I'll take you for a ride Let's get…
Mutlu Think you got time to waste living your life in…
Nana Mouskouri You said you needed time to think it over You said…
Nits (Stips) He's a man hating his hometown Boys and girls back h…
Page Jones Bonham Think it over in your pretty little head Think it over…
PMC All-Stars Tequilla in my cup bitch thats wassup Everybody in this bitc…
Project Pat I need extra cheese I got an army, I'm the gunner Your…
Rappin 4-Tay Let me tell you something about myself I'mma tell you someth…
Reece Geller Sky same color lavender As the pillow I just fucked her…
Ringo Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
RVRB I've been thinking all for this I've been thinking all for…
Saigon ft. Trey Songz [Talking: Trey Songz] When I first heard this shit (C'mon) I…
Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her I think it over I never wanted your love I never fell…
Side A You might say You don't understand The way I operate You don…
Skeeter Davis Think it over what you just said think it over…
Stephen and the Farm Band Sitting on this stool tonight, Cold drink in my hand I think…
Steve Earle You're here, you're gone I'm still hangin' on This game ain'…
Steve Johnson and Nuts & Bolts Just think about it Let me know I've been watching you And …
Streetlight Cadence I think it over slowly Afraid of what's below me Will I…
Sugar Minott Remember those old days Those warm and those cold days We us…
Sunny & The Sunglows I pray each night. At the close of day. You take…
Sweet California Wasn′t it you who used to buy me roses? A promise…
The All-Star Romance Players Whoo I know I Said that I'd always be right by your…
The Allisons (Wait, let me get the sweat off my fingers) You…
The Bastards I can see you Floating in the cloud Posing with your trophy …
The Bobby Fuller Four (holly / petty / allison) Think it over what you just…
The Call September nights on my roof I'll get over it Laying my head…
The Call (Featuring Robert Levon Been of B.R.M.C.) Uh-huh, huh, uh-huh Ahh-haa, ahh-haa, see When why'all heard…
The Cars Every time I see you I got to jump and…
The Crickets Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
The Delfonics You've lost a very good man, hey Think it over, baby Is…
The Hollies Think it over what you just said Think it over in…
The J. Geils Band Paid the check and walked away there wasn't much we could…
The J.B.'s Lord I wonder, yes I wonder Do my baby think of…
The Jay's I think its funny how bitches Gon chose up and switch…
The Key Everywhere she goes She acts like everybody just forgets abo…
The Night Café Am I scared of my reflection? Am I moving sideways? Am I…
The Nite Owls I feel it all around me I hear it in…
The Thorns Think It Over Lyrics Reach inside yourself Find what is left…
The Winery Dogs You know it ain't funny I feel like the tides are…
The Z-Rays When it's over That's the time I fall in love again And…
Tommy Dell I pray each night At the close of day You'll change your…
Toyboy & Robin It ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe It…
Trampled by Turtles Why don't you help me, and I'll help you You find…
Trilogy Hey I think i need to go for a walk The rooms…
Uriah Heep I've had all I can take I've taken just too much I've…
Valerna & DJ Mr. White The better love is The worse it is when it's over, Baby,…
Valerna & Mr. White Yea yea Mr. respectfully You were here for a long time and…
Various Artists GALLERIA Four voices perfectly blending Right from the start…
Wave You say you wanna see the city lights Cause they shine…
Whitney & Cissy Houston Think it over, think it over... Some people say You've…
Wild Child Oh oh oh, oh oh oh Oh oh oh oh Well, damn…
Will Young Think it over Have you ever felt you'd leave your own…
Zed Don't change Whatever you do You might turn around and hur…
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…
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