In 1957, Hawkins was playing at Shreveport, Louisiana clubs, and although his music was influenced by the new rock and roll style of Elvis Presley and the guitar sounds of Scotty Moore, Hawkins blended that with the uniquely heavy blues sound of black Louisiana artists for his recording of his swamp-rock classic Susie Q. Fellow Louisiana guitarist and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton provided the signature riff and solo. The song was chosen as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Hawkins went on to a long and successful career, recording a number of songs for Chess Records. In 1998, Ace Records issued a compilation CD titled "Dale Hawkins, Rock 'n' Roll Tornado" which contained a collection of his early works and previously unreleased material. Other recordings include the cult classic "LA, Memphis and Tyler, Texas," and a 1999 release, "Wildcat Tamer," of all-new recordings that garnered Hawkins a 4-star review in Rolling Stone. However, his career wasn't limited to recording or performing. He hosted a teen dance party, "The Dale Hawkins Show," on WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. He next turned his talents to producing, and found success with the Uniques' "Not Too Long Ago," the Five Americans' "Western Union," Jon & Robin's "Do It Again - A Little Bit Slower." He served as Executive Vice President of Abnak Records; Vice President, Southwest Division, Bell Records (here he produced Bruce Channel, Ronnie Self, James Bell, the Festivals,the Dolls, and the Gentrys); and A&R Director, RCA West Coast Rock Division, working with Michael Nesmith and Harry Nillson. In the 90s, he produced the critically-acclaimed "Goin Back to Mississippi" by R.L. Burnside's slide guitarist Kenny Brown.
Hawkins' pioneering contributions have been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
In 2006, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and began radiation therapy while continuing to perform occasionally. In October 2007, The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Dale Hawkins for his contributions to Louisiana music by inducting him into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. At the same time, he released his latest recording, "Back Down to Louisiana," inspired by a trip to his childhood home. It was recognized by the UK's music magazine, Mojo, as #10 in the Americana category in their 2007 Best of issue, while "LA, Memphis and Tyler, Texas," was awarded #8 in the reissue category.
Hawkins died on February 13, 2010, from colon cancer in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Promised Land
Dale Hawkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
California on my mind.
Caught a bus and rode past raleigh,
On across caroline.
We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle,
Half way cross alabam,
And that hound broke down and left us all stranded
Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket,
Halfway cross Alabam
I didn't go and I rode that sucker
All the way down yonder land
Somebody help me get out of Mississippi
Just help me get to houston town.
Theres people there who care a little bout me
And they wont let the poor boy down.
Sure as I'm born, they bought me a silk suit,
Put money in my hands,
And I woke up high over albuquerque
On a jet to the promised land.
Right away had me t-bone steak a la carte so lean
Flying over to the golden state;
The pilot told me it won't be long
Wed be headin in the terminal gate.
I know what I'm gonna do soon as I leave this plane
Headed for the telephone call back home and this is what I'm sayin'
Operator won't you please dial Tidewater four ten o nine
This is the poor boy callin' from the promised land
The song "Promised Land" by Dale Hawkins tells the story of a man who leaves his hometown in Norfolk, Virginia, and heads towards California with the hope of a better life. He travels by bus and encounters multiple troubles on the way - including motor trouble and being stranded in Birmingham due to a broken-down vehicle. He then buys a through train ticket that takes him across the country, but he still faces challenges when he finds himself stuck in Mississippi. He finally makes it to Houston, Texas, where he finds people who care about him and lend him their support in the form of a silk suit and money. The song ends with the singer flying high over Albuquerque on his way to the Promised Land.
Line by Line Meaning
I left my home in norfolk virginia, California on my mind.
I departed from my hometown Norfolk, Virginia, with my thoughts focused on California.
Caught a bus and rode past raleigh, On across caroline.
I boarded a bus, passing through Raleigh and traveling across the state of North Carolina.
We had motor trouble it turned into a struggle, Half way cross alabam, And that hound broke down and left us all stranded In downtown birmingham.
Our vehicle had mechanical issues and this escalated into a difficult situation while we were halfway through Alabama, and eventually broke down, leaving us all stranded in the city of Birmingham.
Straight off, I bought me a through train ticket, Halfway cross Alabam I didn't go and I rode that sucker All the way down yonder land
I purchased a direct train ticket to my final destination, although I was only halfway through Alabama, and I completed the remainder of my journey on that train.
Somebody help me get out of Mississippi Just help me get to houston town. Theres people there who care a little bout me And they wont let the poor boy down.
I sought assistance to leave Mississippi and to reach Houston, where I knew some people who cared for me and could support me during my stay.
Sure as I'm born, they bought me a silk suit, Put money in my hands, And I woke up high over albuquerque On a jet to the promised land.
Without a doubt, these individuals bought me a high-quality silk suit, gave me some money, and before I knew it, I was flying over Albuquerque in a plane headed for California, the place I had dreamed of going to.
Right away had me t-bone steak a la carte so lean Flying over to the golden state; The pilot told me it won't be long Wed be headin in the terminal gate.
Right when I arrived in California, I was served a lean t-bone steak à la carte while flying over the state. The pilot also informed me that we would be landing in the terminal shortly.
I know what I'm gonna do soon as I leave this plane Headed for the telephone call back home and this is what I'm sayin' Operator won't you please dial Tidewater four ten o nine This is the poor boy callin' from the promised land
As soon as I exit the aircraft, I already know what I'll do; make a call home and say the following: 'Operator, kindly dial Tidewater 4-109, as this is the poor boy calling from the Promised Land.'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Chuck Berry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind