Bibb was born on 16th August 1951 in New York into a musical family. His father, Leon Bibb, is a trained singer who sang in musical theatre and made a name for himself as part of the 1960s New York folk scene. His uncle was the world-famous jazz pianist and composer John Lewis, of the Modern Jazz Quartet. Family friends included Pete Seeger, Odetta, and actor/singer/activist Paul Robeson, Bibb'sgodfather.
Bibb was given his first steel-string guitar when he was seven years old. Growing up surrounded by talent, he recalls a childhood conversation with Bob Dylan, who, on the subject of guitar playing advised the eleven-year-old Bibb to "Keep it simple, forget all that fancy stuff".
At sixteen years old, Bibb's father invited him to play guitar in the house band for his television talent show Someone New. Bibb's early musical heroes were from his father's band, and included Bill Lee (father of director Spike), who appeared on Bibb's album Me To You, years later.
In 1969, Bibb played guitar for the Negro Ensemble Company at St Mark's place in New York, and went on to study Psychology and Russian at Colombia University, but at the age of nineteen he left for Paris, where a meeting with guitarist Mickey Baker focused his interest in blues guitar. When he later moved to Sweden, Bibb found a creative environment which took him back to Greenwich Village during the heyday of the folk revival. Settling in Stockholm, Bibb immersed himself in pre-war blues and continued to write and perform.
The album Good Stuff was released in 1997, and led to Bibb signing to the British based Code Blue label. Eric's only release on Code Blue was Me to You, featuring appearances from some of Bibb's personal heroes in Pops and Mavis Staples, and Taj Mahal (who also worked with Bibb on the Grammy-nominated children's record, Shakin' a Tailfeather). The album furthered Bibb's international reputation and was followed by tours of the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, France, Sweden, and Germany.
In the late 1990s Bibb joined forces with his then manager, Alan Robinson, to form Manhaton Records, in Britain. The albums Home to Me (1999), Roadworks (2000), and Painting Signs (2001) followed, as did another Opus 3 release, Just Like Love.
Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stumble and fall by the road side
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around
Walk with the rich, walk with the poor
Learn from everyone, that's what life is for
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around
Well I might say things that sound strange to you
And I might preach the gospel, I believe it's true
I won't let nobody drag my spirit down
Yes, I'm walking up to heaven
Won't let nobody turn me around
You might slip, you might slide, you might
Stumble and fall by the road side
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around
The lyrics to Eric Bibb's song "Don't Ever Let Nobody Drag Your Spirit Down" are an uplifting message about perseverance and determination. The song begins by acknowledging that in life, we may encounter difficult times and struggles that can make us feel like we are slipping and stumbling by the roadside. However, Bibb encourages us to never allow anyone else to drag down our spirit and to remember that we are walking up to heaven, which represents a higher purpose or goal.
Throughout the song, Bibb promotes the idea of walking with both the rich and the poor, understanding that we can learn valuable lessons from everyone we meet. By doing so, we can continue to grow and develop on our personal journey. The line "And I might preach the gospel, I believe it's true" suggests that Bibb's personal faith is an important aspect of his message, but he encourages listeners to find their own path and stay true to themselves.
Overall, Bibb's message in this song is one of hope and determination. He reminds us that we may face challenges, but we should never let anyone else bring us down or change our course in life.
Line by Line Meaning
You might slip, you might slide, you might
Stumble and fall by the road side
Life is unpredictable and full of obstacles, and you may experience failure or hardship along the way.
But don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down
Despite any setbacks, it is important to stay optimistic and positive, and not let anyone discourage you from pursuing your goals.
Remember you're walking up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you around
In life, we are all striving towards a greater purpose, and it is crucial to stay focused on our values and not be swayed by others who may have different agendas or beliefs.
Walk with the rich, walk with the poor
Learn from everyone, that's what life is for
It is important to be open-minded and learn from people of all backgrounds and experiences, as this can help us broaden our perspective and understand the world around us in a more meaningful way.
And don't you let nobody drag your spirit down
Regardless of who we encounter in life, it is up to us to maintain our own sense of inner strength and resilience, and not let anyone else hinder our progress or joy.
Well I might say things that sound strange to you
And I might preach the gospel, I believe it's true
I won't let nobody drag my spirit down
Even if others may not understand or agree with our beliefs or ideas, it is important to stay true to ourselves and not compromise our values or authenticity in order to please others.
Yes, I'm walking up to heaven
Won't let nobody turn me around
Each of us is on our own unique journey in life, and it is crucial to stay focused on our own path and not be deterred or swayed by external factors or other people's opinions.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHARLOTTE HOGLUND, ERIC BIBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tove Eleni Ask Delinikoupolou
You might slide
You might tumble and fall by the road side
Don't you ever let nobody
Drag your spirit down
Remember you're walkin' up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you round
Walk with the rich
Walk with the poor
Learn from everybody that's what life is for
Don't you ever let nobody
Drag your spirit down
Remember you're walkin' up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you round
Some say yes
Some say no
Some wait and see which way the wind blow
Don't you ever let nobody
Drag your spirit down
Well we're walkin' up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you round
Well I might say things
Sound strange to you
And I might preach the gospel I believe it's true
I won't let nobody
Drag your spirit down
Yes I'm walkin' up to heaven
Won't let nobody turn me round
You might slip
You might slide
You might tumble and fall by the road side
Don't you ever let nobody
Drag your spirit down
Remember you're walkin' up to heaven
Don't let nobody turn you round
ChunkyLover69
this is seriously the coolest modern blues ive heard in a while
EblockShorty
Accordians like this are still in use in Europe - one can be seen in the clip of Angelo Debarre's concert "Manoir de mes Reves" elsewhere on Youtube. You will probably guess from his name that Angelo is a French national (though of Tzigane blood). He is one of the most accomplished practitioners of the genre known as Manouche, or Gypsy, Jazz. This kind of cross-cultural influence is very much in line with the Philosophy of the Transatlantic Sessions - I just love
Philip Croft
Such a great singer/song and some of the finest musicians on the planet.
Alistair Barrie
Words fail me in describing just how good I feel listening to this fabulous voice!! You guys are playing in the pocket.
Fer Blues
Fantastic. What a powerful and meaningful song. Thank you for uploading this. Love Eric Bibb
3spiriTman
I just play this song over and over and over and over ... and over again! LOVE IT!! Picks my Spirit UP!!! Thanks Eric :) peace and love .. xox
Kenneth J. Benton
Amen
Ann Grover
My soul is full of joy 😇🙏💞
Trashman
Pure magic. So spot on the money it's crazy!
Donald Bertram
This is just remarkable good blues - great song done so well by Eric Bibb, great slide-guitar-on-the-lap by Jerry Douglas, but what about harmonica-on-the-accordion, followed by piano-on-the-mandolin by Sam Bush? What a jam band. I want to be a fly on the wall at the reunion gig.