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.
Suzie-Q
Dale Hawkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Suzie Q., baby I love you
Suzie Q
I like the way you walk
I like the way you talk
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk
My Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q., oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q., baby I love you
My Suzie Q
Well say that you will be true
Say that you will be true
Say that you will be true and never leave me blue
My Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q., oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q., baby I love you
My Suzie Q
The song "Suzie Q" by Dale Hawkins is a love song to a girl named Suzie Q. The lyrics express the singer's attraction to Suzie Q and his desire for her to be true to him. He likes the way she walks and talks and wants her to stay with him and never leave him blue.
The repetition of "Oh Suzie Q" throughout the song serves to emphasize the singer's infatuation with her. Each time he sings her name, it's almost like he can't get enough of her. The way he describes her walking and talking also reveals that he is paying close attention to her every move.
The chorus of the song, where he asks Suzie Q to be true to him and never leave him blue, shows that he is serious about his feelings for her. He wants a committed relationship with her, and he needs her to reciprocate his love.
Overall, "Suzie Q" is a classic love song that captures the excitement and intensity of falling in love. The lyrics are simple but effective in conveying the singer's emotions, and the catchy melody makes it a fun and memorable tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Suzie Q., oh Suzie Q
The singer is addressing Suzie Q with admiration
Oh Suzie Q., baby I love you
The singer is confessing his love for Suzie Q
Suzie Q
Suzie Q is the nickname given to the person the singer is addressing
I like the way you walk
The singer is appreciating Suzie Q's style of walking
I like the way you talk
The singer admires Suzie Q's way of speaking
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk
The singer expresses his fondness for Suzie Q's gait and conversation
My Suzie Q
The singer is claiming ownership of Suzie Q in a romantic way
Well say that you will be true
The singer is requesting Suzie Q to commit to him
Say that you will be true and never leave me blue
The singer is asking for Suzie Q's faithful commitment and assurance that she won't hurt him
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DELMAR ALLEN HAWKINS JR., ELEANOR BROADWATER, STANLEY J. LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Floyd Council
At 17, James Burton, the guitar player using the only available strings at that time,13-17-26-36-46-56 gauge, decided he didn’t need all that string tension. So he removed the 56, bumped every string down one gauge, and took a 10 gauge banjo string and used that for the top E string. That is how 10-46 gauge strings came about, and bending strings became possible. Mr. Burton, my fingers and ears thank you.
John Jones
I thought Burton was 15 at the time. I could be wrong.
Angela Westmoreland
Happiness is having family that
Loves in another state
. Rather different state of mind
Angela Westmoreland
Cats have 9 Loves
You are not a cat
Buckle UP
Quite
THE MIND
& THE SOUL
WILL SPEAK 💯 🙈 cSEE
Angela Westmoreland
I visualized MY
Highest Self...
Dreams all came true....hip hip hoorray
Angela Westmoreland
Don't live
Your life in
Training
Wheels...LOL funny ha
Darla Rogers
Fully agree, this guy was hard rock in rockabilly disguise, he totally invented a whole new sound when he made this recording! Mad respect
Michael Wilson
Arkansas
Michael Wilson
I was fortunate enough or unfortunate enough however you look at it to be born in the very center of Johnny Cash country
GrtSatan
The first time a producer asked for more cowbell and the result was an instant masterpiece.