Remembered by many these days as a founding member of the groundbreaking Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elvin Bishop has also tasted pop success with his 1976 smash hit “Fooled Around and Fell In Love.” Bishop’s long and varied career has included other musical stops along the way as well, from deep down gutbucket blues played in smoky South Side Chicago taverns, to raucous roadhouse R&B, to rollicking good time rock & roll. And at every stage along the way, he’s imbued all of his music with deep passion, a uniquely creative spirit, and more than a little bit of sly humor.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Elvin Bishop didn’t have much exposure to live music as a youngster. But his family had a radio, and in between the pop schmaltz and the C&W that ruled the airwaves in the 1950s, that radio could sometimes catch the legendary R&B programming beamed throughout the southern part of the U.S. at night by Nashville radio station WLAC. That station introduced Bishop to the classic records of Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, and once his ears had been hooked, there was no turning back for young Elvin. He soon got his first guitar and on his own began scratching out the basic outlines of the blues, R&B and rock & roll that had captured his imagination.
By the time he was preparing to go to college in the late 1950s, Bishop had earned a National Merit Scholarship, allowing him to go to almost any school he chose – and there was only one choice on Elvin’s mind, the prestigious University of Chicago, which just happened to be located on Chicago’s South side, ground zero for much of the urban blues Elvin had been studying only from a distance. He arrived in Chicago in 1959, and before long crossed paths with a kindred spirit in Paul Butterfield. Together, they explored the ghetto blues clubs in the black neighborhoods surrounding the university campus at a time when blues giants like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Otis Rush, Magic Sam and Howlin’ Wolf could be found playing in neighborhood joints on a weeknight. Elvin soaked it all up, gaining impromptu lessons and invaluable stage time in front of discerning audiences, and forging a fluid yet powerful guitar style of his own.
By 1963, Bishop and Butterfield were ready to graduate – not necessarily from the university, but certainly from their apprenticeship under Chicago’s blues elders. Recruiting Howlin’ Wolf’s former rhythm section of Sam Lay on drums and Jerome Arnold on bass, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band was born. In 1965, after adding Mike Bloomfield and Mark Naftalin to the lineup, their revolutionary debut LP was released, kicking open the door for virtually all the young white blues bands that followed.
Bishop remained in the fold for three albums with the Butterfield band, including their innovative “East-West” release (on which Bishop and Bloomfield’s intertwining guitars helped set the stage for the Allman Brothers Band among many others who followed), before venturing out on his own. Elvin released four well-received albums on Epic Records in the early ‘70s, before joining Capricorn Records for a couple of LPs and experiencing his biggest pop success, the national hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” from his 1976 LP “Struttin’ My Stuff”.
As popular musical trends evolved, the recording projects tapered off, but road work kept Elvin busy through the ‘80s, and by the time he hooked up with Alligator in 1988, he was returning to his bluesy roots. And that fertile territory has been his focus ever since.
Delta Groove Productions president Randy Chortkoff has been a fan and follower of Elvin’s music through all the many phases of his career, beginning with Butterfield Blues Band in the mid 1960s, so when the opportunity arose to bring Elvin into the Delta Groove fold, Chortkoff jumped at the opportunity. The result was Elvin’s Grammy nominated 2008 CD “The Blues Rolls On”, a project supported by an all-star cast of blues royalty featuring B.B. King, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, George Thorogood , James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Tommy Castro, John Németh, Angela Strehli, plus many more.
Elvin’s brand new release “Red Dog Speaks”, his second on Delta Groove Music, is the exciting next step in his blues journey. Right out of the gate, Bishop leaves no doubt where his heart is, cleverly introducing his long-time cohort - a 1959 Gibson ES-345 that lovingly answers to the name of “Red Dog”, with a gritty slow blues calculated to set the pace for what’s to come. Along the way he smoothly steers the way from strutting blues and R&B, to a good dose of good-time rock & roll, and even an occasional detour through doo-wop, zydeco and gospel. Elvin has made plenty of talented friends over the years, and many of them jumped at the chance to help out including John Nemeth, Buckwheat Zydeco, Roy Gaines, Tommy Castro, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Kid Andersen who all make guest appearances. And all of it adds up to an amalgam that can only be called “Elvin Bishop music.”
Bishop's official website is at http://www.elvinbishopmusic.com/
What The Hell Is Going On
Elvin Bishop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raping and killing
Bloody murder molester,
Running airplanes in the buildings
Every time I turn around,
Something else is going wrong
Hey, tell me
What the hell is goin' on
Scare to read my paper and
Can't look at TV
World is gettin' way to crazy for me
Every time you turn around
Another poor child is gone
Hey, what the hell is goin' on
Keep your doors all,
Locked up real tight, don't
Let your children get
Out of your sight
Oh boy, the good ol' days are gone
Hey people people, what the hell is goin' on
Elvin Bishop's song "What The Hell Is Going On" is a commentary on the violence and chaos in the world. The lyrics are a reflection of the artist's frustration and confusion about the extent of violence and its impact on the society. The lyrics describe the world as a place where there is constant war, terrorism, rape, murder, and child abduction. The artist questions the world's sanity and wonders if people can ever return to a time when things made more sense.
The lyrics of "What The Hell Is Going On" also suggest that people are afraid to read the news or watch television because of the disturbing content. The song talks about the need to lock doors tightly and keep children within sight because of the violence in the world. The artist laments the loss of the good old days when things were simpler and safer.
Overall, Elvin Bishop's "What The Hell Is Going On" is a thought-provoking reflection on the state of the world. The song highlights the need for people to come together and work towards creating a safe and peaceful society. The artist's message is a plea for sanity and a reminder that the world can still be a better place if people work towards that goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Bumping and shooting and, Raping and killing
There are instances of physical violence, sexual assault, and murder taking place around me.
Bloody murder molester, Running airplanes in the buildings
Disturbing incidents like murder and terrorist attacks in which an airplane is flown into a building are happening.
Every time I turn around, Something else is going wrong
No matter where I look, there is some form of trouble or tragedy occurring.
Hey, tell me What the hell is goin' on
I am perplexed and concerned about the state of the world and want to know what's happening.
Scare to read my paper and Can't look at TV
I am afraid to read newspapers or watch TV because of the disturbing content that is frequently reported.
World is gettin' way too crazy for me
The world has become too unpredictable and dangerous, causing me to feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Every time you turn around Another poor child is gone
Sadly, it seems as though there is news of another child who has gone missing or been killed with increasing frequency.
Hey, what the hell is goin' on
I am utterly confused and frustrated by the state of the world and want to understand why things are so chaotic.
Keep your doors all, Locked up real tight, don't Let your children get Out of your sight
As a precaution, it is advisable to keep doors locked and keep a close eye on children to ensure their safety in this troubled world.
Oh boy, the good ol' days are gone
The past was better than the present because it was a time when violence and tragedy were less common occurrences.
Hey people people, what the hell is goin' on
The singer is addressing all people and questioning what is happening in the world that has caused such chaos and destruction.
Writer(s): Elvin Bishop
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jon Suyama
The man has got wisdom. Listen to him! his words and his music ... excellent blues guitar ... up there with the best
QuaziGuffaw
Elvin tellin' it like it is. My sentiments exactly.
Mike Roberti
I guess we can’t just get along because of people like you.
K9 Dragon Factory
cant have it both ways.. either you want to get along or not. He did great right up till he spouted vitrol for Trump.... and I am no trump fan ...
Flip Wright
E. Jean Carroll is no fan of that sexual predator either.
Blake Whittington
That guitar has stories
Saw Elvin walk in Buddy Guys 60th birthday and play it turned me onto him.
Raisin Hell is still one of my favorite live albums to this day......that man can play!
Lisa Cruz
Love you forever Elvin bishop!! Since 1970s! We had a party till the cows came home, but I fooled around and fell in love, and when you rock my soul, I sang hallelujah Fresno, California loving you
Bobbie Olsen
I couldn’t disagree with you more Elvin… play on!
iaov
Fantastic!! Thanks Elvin ❤❤❤
michael sorrentino
Living legend right there !!