Eric Bibb (b. 1951) is an American blues singer and guitarist, based in Lon… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Bibb (b. 1951) is an American blues singer and guitarist, based in London, England, who has made his career largely in Europe.

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.

Good Stuff
Eric Bibb Lyrics

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You got the good stuff mama,
Where you been so long?
You got the good stuff mama,
Spiced up nice and strong.

Somethin' said click when you gave me yo look,
Now I can't get enough of that gumbo you cook,
You got the good stuff mama,

Come on and lay it on me.

You know you move me baby,
Right to my soul,
Yeaaa, you move me,
I'm on a steady roll.
I recall that day in June,
Told the preacher I do,
And not a moment too soon..
Cause you move me baby, yes indeed,
Don't stop now.

You took your sweet time sister
Knocking on my door.

Ohhh but every good thing in life,

Is worth waiting for,
And if I had known you way back when,
I might have let you go and never seen you again,
Whoo, you took your sweet time knocking on my door.

(Can I hear you clap your hands)

(Talk about it)

You got the good stuff mama,
Where you been, where you been so long.
You got the good stuff mama,
Spiced up nice and strong

Something said click when you gave me your look ,
Now I can't get enough of that gumbo you cook,

You got the good stuff mama,
Come on and lay it on me.

Overall Meaning

Eric Bibb's song "Good Stuff" is an upbeat and playful tribute to the singer's lover. With its catchy rhythm and soulful melody, the song celebrates the joys of love and companionship. Bibb describes his lover as having "the good stuff," and asks her where she has been for so long, all the while praising the spices and flavor of her gumbo. He expresses gratitude for her presence in his life, noting that she moves him "right to [his] soul" and inspires him to keep going.

In the second verse, Bibb recalls the day he married his lover, and how it was the perfect moment for them to unite. He emphasizes that their love continues to grow stronger every day, and that he never wants it to stop. Bibb then reflects on how his lover took her time before coming into his life, but acknowledges that everything good is worth waiting for. The song ends with a call for the audience to join him in clapping their hands and celebrating the beauty of love.

Overall, "Good Stuff" is a charming and infectiously joyful tribute to the power of love. Bibb's lyrics offer a heartfelt celebration of the ways in which his relationship with his partner has enriched his life, and his upbeat blues sound provides the perfect backdrop for this homage. The song is a testament to the fact that love is worth waiting for, and that the good stuff is always worth celebrating.

Line by Line Meaning

You got the good stuff mama,
You possess all the desirable qualities, woman,

Where you been so long?
Why have you been away for so long?

Spiced up nice and strong.
You are seasoned and potent at the same time.

Somethin' said click when you gave me yo look,
I felt a magnetic connection when you locked eyes with me.

Now I can't get enough of that gumbo you cook,
I can't stop craving the delicious dish you prepare.

Come on and lay it on me.
Give all of that goodness to me.

You know you move me baby,
You affect me deeply, babe.

Right to my soul,
Your impact reaches the core of my being.

I'm on a steady roll.
I am feeling confident and successful due to you.

Told the preacher I do,
I committed to you in the presence of God and everyone.

And not a moment too soon..
The timing was perfect.