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.
Whole Lotta Lovin
Clifton Chenier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
True, true loving for you
I've got a whole lotta loving for you
I've got a whole lotta
For you, whole lotta
For you, I've got a whole lotta kissing for you
I've got a whole lot to do
A whole lot to do
The lyrics to Clifton Chenier's "Whole Lotta Lovin'" speak to the strength and depth of the singer's love, promising the listener "true, true loving." The repetition of the phrase "I've got a whole lotta loving for you" emphasizes the singer's intensity of feeling, as does the catalog of the many ways in which they express their affection: "whole lotta kissing" and "whole lot to do." The repetition of "whole lotta" gives the song a steady, rhythmic pace that adds to the feeling of abundance and energy.
Overall, the song presents a picture of a love that is overflowing and abundant, with the singer promising to devote all their energy and attention to the object of their affection. The somewhat simplistic lyrics are buoyed by the upbeat, syncopated rhythm that characterizes much of Chenier's music, and they tap into a universal desire for connection and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a whole lotta loving for you
I have a very great amount of deep and sincere affection specifically for you
True, true loving for you
It is genuine, honest, and authentic; not just superficial words or actions
I've got a whole lotta loving for you
I really do have an overwhelmingly abundant amount of love specifically for you
I've got a whole lotta
My love extends far beyond just a little bit, it is extensive
For you, whole lotta
All of this love and affection is specifically directed towards you and no one else
For you, I've got a whole lotta kissing for you
Along with love, I have many physical ways to express my affection like kissing, which I have a lot of saved up for you
I've got a whole lot to do
My love for you will require a lot of time, effort, and action to express
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JULES BIHARI, RILEY B. KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind