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.
What'd I Say
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
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Come and love your daddy all night long
All right, hey, hey, all right now
See the girl with the diamond ring
She knows how to shake that thing
All right, hey, hey, Mmm, all right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good
Mmm, see the girl with the red dress on
She can do the dog all night long
All right, hmm what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
It's all right, It's all right right now
Baby, it's all right, Baby, it's all right right now
Baby, it's all right, Oh yeah!
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
Baby shake that thing, well I feel all right
The song "What'd I Say" by Clifton Chenier is an upbeat and lively tune with a focus on dancing and having a good time. The lyrics speak to the desire for physical love and affection from a romantic partner, with the singer addressing his "mama" and pleading for her to love him all night long. The mention of a girl with a diamond ring and a girl in a red dress suggests that the singer is out at a party or club, where he sees women who know how to dance and have a good time. He asks the listener to tell him what he's saying, seemingly overcome with joy and excitement.
The repetition of the phrase "make me feel so good" and the use of nonverbal sounds such as "ahhh" and "ohh" create a sense of physical pleasure and enjoyment in the song. The call-and-response structure of the lyrics, with the singer asking the listener to repeat certain phrases, is also indicative of a fun and lighthearted atmosphere.
Overall, "What'd I Say" is a celebration of music, dance, and physical pleasure, with a focus on having a good time in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey mama, don't you treat me wrong
Addressing his lover, the singer requests her not to mistreat him.
Come and love your daddy all night long
He implores his lover to have an intimate and loving relationship with him throughout the night.
All right, hey, hey, all right now
The singer expresses his contentment with the situation and appears delighted.
See the girl with the diamond ring
The singer acknowledges a woman wearing a diamond ring.
She knows how to shake that thing
He describes the woman to be skilled in moving her body to the rhythm of the song.
All right, hey, hey, Mmm, all right now
The singer expresses his satisfaction with the situation and seems to be enjoying the moment.
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
This is likely an interlude to the song, and the singer uses sounds to express his enjoyment of the music.
Make me feel so good, make me feel so good right now
The singer pleads with his lover to continue satisfying him, acknowledging that the feeling he's experiencing is pleasurable.
Mmm, see the girl with the red dress on
The singer describes a woman who is wearing a red dress.
She can do the dog all night long
The singer implies that the woman can dance all night long.
All right, hmm what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
The singer is lost in the music, and he appears to be enjoying the moment. He also seems to be questioning the lyrics he's singing.
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
The singer repeats his request for someone to tell him what he's saying, indicating that he may be lost in his thoughts or not making sense.
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say right now
He repeats his request, seemingly questioning the meaning behind his lyrics.
Tell me what'd I say, tell me what'd I say
He once again repeats his request, implying that he may not know what he's saying anymore or is just enjoying his own music.
Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ahhh, Ohh, Ohh
This is likely an interlude to the song, and the singer uses sounds to express his enjoyment of the music.
It's all right, It's all right right now
The singer reassures his lover that everything is okay, and they should continue enjoying the moment.
Baby, it's all right, Baby, it's all right right now
He once again reassures his lover, stating that it's okay to let loose and enjoy the moment.
Baby, it's all right, Oh yeah!
The singer emphasizes that everything is okay, and he is enjoying the moment.
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
The singer encourages his lover to continue dancing in a provocative and sexual manner.
Baby shake that thing, baby shake that thing right now
He repeats his encouraging statement, wanting his lover to continue moving to the music.
Baby shake that thing, well I feel all right
The singer acknowledges that he's feeling good, and he's enjoying his lover's movements, seemingly motivated by her sexual dance.
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Sentric Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind