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.
Everyday's Been Sunday
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Folks heard me on the radio
Long, long time ago – in my prime
"Harmonica Wizard", that's what they called me
A member of the Grand Ole Opry –
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I was like a microphone – way I'd pick up sounds
An' make 'em my own –
In Davidson County – growin' up on the farm
I could sound like a train whistlin' down the track
Make it sound so real, make you jump back
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I've been gone since '82
Still, I thought I'd send this song to you
From the other side – you know it's not that far away
People came from miles around
Just to hear me blow my harp when I hit their town
History books tell only half the story
Leavin' out half of the people's glory
So, I reckon it's time to share some of mine
I was a star of that Grand Ole Opry
I didn't look like the rest, but that didn't stop me
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I played with Roy Acuff an' all the rest
Bill Monroe claimed I was the best
Blues harmonica-player of any man
I never grew tall, but I stood proud
Proud as those times allowed
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I liked Uncle Dave Macon right from the start
A good banjo man with a bog ol' heart
Had a real funny side – knew how to work a crowd
Now the Delmore Brothers treated me like kin
On the road we stuck together through thick an' thin
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
On the radio people can't see your face
So, I guess plenty people never knew my race
I reckon that fact worked in my favour
You see, a harp's not black an' a harp's not white
It just makes good music if you play it right
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
One day they might elect me to the Hall Of Fame
If they doe or if they don't, it's all the same
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
In the song "Everyday's Been Sunday," Eric Bibb tells the story of legendary harmonica player DeFord Bailey. Bailey, an African American player, rose to fame in the early days of radio and played with stars like Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe. Despite facing racial discrimination throughout his life, Bailey persevered and became known as the "Harmonica Wizard," earning a place in the Grand Ole Opry.
Bibb's lyrics pay homage to Bailey's talent and highlight the challenges he faced as a Black musician in the southern United States. Bailey's unique ability to mimic the sounds of trains and other objects through his harmonica playing is mentioned, as is his friendship with other musicians like Uncle Dave Macon and the Delmore Brothers.
Bibb also touches on the ways in which Bailey's success was largely unknown to history books, commenting that "Leavin' out half of the people's glory, so, I reckon it's time to share some of mine." Through the song, Bibb aims to shed light on Bailey's contributions to American music and the perseverance he showed in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
DeFord Bailey's my name, you know
Introducing himself as DeFord Bailey and stating that he is well-known.
Folks heard me on the radio
Acknowledging that people recognized him from his radio performances.
Long, long time ago – in my prime
Reflecting on the time when he was at his best and most popular.
"Harmonica Wizard", that's what they called me
Sharing the nickname he was given because of his extraordinary harmonica-playing abilities.
A member of the Grand Ole Opry –
Proudly stating that he was a part of the famous music venue, the Grand Ole Opry.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
I was like a microphone – way I'd pick up sounds
Comparing himself to a microphone that captures and amplifies sounds.
An' make 'em my own –
Taking sounds and putting his own unique twist on them.
In Davidson County – growin' up on the farm
Revealing his rural upbringing in Davidson County, Tennessee.
I could sound like a train whistlin' down the track
Describing his ability to imitate the sound of a train with his harmonica.
Make it sound so real, make you jump back
Reinforcing the realistic quality of his musical performances.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
I've been gone since '82
Acknowledging that he has been away from the music scene since 1982.
Still, I thought I'd send this song to you
Despite his absence, he wanted to share his music and message.
From the other side – you know it's not that far away
Speaking from a spiritual or emotional level beyond physical proximity.
People came from miles around
Just to hear me blow my harp when I hit their town
Recalling the excitement and support he received from fans during his tours.
History books tell only half the story
Leavin' out half of the people's glory
So, I reckon it's time to share some of mine
Explaining that historical accounts often neglect important details, and that he wants to share his experiences.
I was a star of that Grand Ole Opry
I didn't look like the rest, but that didn't stop me
Reminding listeners of his star status at the Grand Ole Opry, despite being a different race than most performers.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
I played with Roy Acuff an' all the rest
Bill Monroe claimed I was the best
Blues harmonica-player of any man
Listing some of the famous musicians he played with, and noting that Bill Monroe gave him high praise for his musicianship.
I never grew tall, but I stood proud
Proud as those times allowed
Acknowledging that his short stature may have been viewed negatively, but he still carried himself with pride.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
I liked Uncle Dave Macon right from the start
A good banjo man with a bog ol' heart
Had a real funny side – knew how to work a crowd
Sharing fond memories of Uncle Dave Macon, who he enjoyed performing with and was known for his humor and ability to engage audiences.
Now the Delmore Brothers treated me like kin
On the road we stuck together through thick an' thin
Expressing gratitude for the camaraderie and support he received from the Delmore Brothers while on tour.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
On the radio people can't see your face
So, I guess plenty people never knew my race
I reckon that fact worked in my favour
Reflecting on the anonymity of radio performances and how it may have benefited him since people didn't make judgments based on race.
You see, a harp's not black an' a harp's not white
It just makes good music if you play it right
Believing that the harmonica, like music itself, is not defined by race and can be played well by anyone.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
One day they might elect me to the Hall Of Fame
If they doe or if they don't, it's all the same
Acknowledging that he may or may not be recognized in music's Hall of Fame, but is content regardless.
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
Despite facing challenges, life has been enjoyable and rewarding.
Contributed by Madelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Roberto Moreno
Gracias por seguir componiendo y tocando Country Blues .