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.
Needed Time
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woo right now is the needed time, right now in the needed time
I'm down on my bended knees, I'm on my knees, praaayin' want you come back, come back here?
Yes I'm down on my bended knees, prayiiin want you come back, come back here
Singing Right now is the needed time, right now
Wooo Right now is the neeeded time, now is the neeeeded time
Even if you don't stay long, oh my Jesus, If you don't stay long, I'm prayiiin, Come back here
Oh Jesus, If you don't stay long, I'm prayiiin want you come back, come back here
Singing right now is the needed time, I know you feel the needed time right now
Oh right now is the needed time, Right now is the needed time,
Oh, oh, bless us!
The song "Needed Time" by Eric Bibb is a prayerful song with a deep sense of urgency for the return of a lover. The repetitive phrase "Right now is the needed time" emphasizes the immediacy and desperation of the situation, as if the singer is imploring their beloved to come back immediately. The use of the phrase "bended knees" emphasizes the humility and vulnerability of the singer, who is willing to lower themselves to pray for the return of their lover. The singer's use of the name of Jesus in the lyrics demonstrates the sincerity of their plea and a possible religious or spiritual aspect to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Right now is the needed time, is the needed time, now is the neeeeedeed time
The present moment is the most important and necessary time.
Woo right now is the needed time, right now in the needed time
Highlighted emphasis that right now is the most necessary time.
I'm down on my bended knees, I'm on my knees, praaayin' want you come back, come back here?
The singer is begging for someone to return and is in a desperate state.
Yes I'm down on my bended knees, prayiiin want you come back, come back here
Re-emphasizing the previous line that the artist is begging for someone to return.
Singing Right now is the needed time, right now
Repeating that the current moment is the most necessary time.
Wooo Right now is the neeeded time, now is the neeeeded time
Re-emphasizing how crucial the present moment is.
Even if you don't stay long, oh my Jesus, If you don't stay long, I'm prayiiin, Come back here
The singer is expressing willingness to take what they can get even if it's brief and begs for that brief moment.
Oh Jesus, If you don't stay long, I'm prayiiin want you come back, come back here
Re-emphasizing the previous line that the artist is willing to take whatever brief moment they can get.
Singing right now is the needed time, I know you feel the needed time right now
Re-emphasizing that the artist believes the moment to be the most necessary and is attempting to convince someone else of it.
Oh right now is the needed time, Right now is the needed time,
Further repeating that the current moment is the most important and necessary time.
Oh, oh, bless us!
Expressing hope for a positive outcome.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC CHARLES BIBB, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@algentry1
This man loves the world and all who can hear his voice come away knowing it. Thanks for posting this. This was the theme of the movie 'Sounder', in 1972 and it was written and and sung by John Hopkins. I think Eric Bibb is every bit his equal. He doesn't try to sound like Lightnin' Hopkins, He is Eric Bibb.
@hugothecat-xm7zx
What a beautiful song!
@marygrimes5807
Love this song and Eric does it to perfection. Thank you.
@Maria17572
Lindo!
@Daniel-hz2gg
Saw him sing this song live last night... Awesome. I also had the good pleasure of meeting him and shaking his hand.
@rayholmes8780
Daniel zzzx
@davideckford1282
Just saw him in Glasgow. MAGICAL!
@ferbluesy
I will have the privilege to see Eric Bibb perform in Spain this summer. I am counting the days.
@earthworkr2
great song. Fits the current times. We are in the needed time. Thanks for posting. :)
@glennsprigg2378
Some people may question "Who is Eric Bibb", and others may question "What is Blues anyway!!??"....
Well, Eric is the Contemporary of what 'Blues' ever was before, and is certainly TODAY, as a wonderfully
talented 'middle' man to bring the joy of that music, to to the lovers of today!!! He can do no wrong!!! xoxoxox