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.
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody's fault but mine
If I don′t read an' my soul be lost--
Nobody's fault but mine
Sister she taught me how to read
Sister she taught me how to read
If I don′t read an′ my soul be lost--
I have a Bible in my home
I have a Bible in my home
If I don′t read an' my soul be lost--
Mm, mm
Father he taught me how to read
Father he taught me how to read
If I don′t read an' my soul be lost--
Nobody′s fault but mine
Nobody's fault but mine
If I don't read an′ my soul be lost--
Mm, mm, mm, mm
Mother she taught me how to read
Mother she taught me how to read
If I don′t read an' my soul be lost--
Nobody′s fault but mine.
The lyrics of Eric Bibb's song "Nobody's Fault But Mine" reflect a personal reflection on responsibility and the consequences of one's own actions or lack thereof. The repetitive line "Nobody's fault but mine" emphasizes that ultimately, the choices we make and the effort we put into self-improvement are solely our own responsibility. The song highlights the importance of learning and education, particularly through the references to being taught to read by various family members.
The first verse mentions a sister who taught the singer how to read, implying that he has been given the tools and guidance to educate himself. However, the line "If I don't read and my soul be lost" suggests that if the singer chooses not to utilize these resources and neglects his own personal growth, it would be his own fault if he suffers spiritually or emotionally. The second verse mentions having a Bible at home, further emphasizing the availability of guidance and knowledge. Again, failing to read and engage with this source of wisdom would result in the singer being solely to blame for any negative consequences.
The third verse references the singer's father teaching him how to read, reinforcing the idea that he has been given valuable opportunities to learn. Yet, if he disregards these teachings, he cannot shift responsibility onto anyone else. Finally, the fourth verse mentions the mother's role in teaching the singer to read, pointing out that even with multiple sources of support and encouragement, it remains up to the individual to seize the opportunity for growth.
In summary, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" is a song that highlights the importance of personal accountability and the need to actively engage in self-improvement and education. It reminds listeners that blaming others for our own shortcomings is misguided and that we hold the power to shape our own destiny.
Line by Line Meaning
Nobody′s fault but mine
It is solely my fault, no one else's
If I don′t read an' my soul be lost--
If I fail to read and educate myself, leading to the loss of my spiritual wellbeing
Sister she taught me how to read
My sister was the one who taught me how to read
I have a Bible in my home
I possess a Bible within my residence
Mm, mm
Unknown, as it does not provide specific context
Father he taught me how to read
My father was the one who taught me how to read
Nobody′s fault but mine
It is solely my fault, no one else's
Mm, mm, mm, mm
Unknown, as it does not provide specific context
Mother she taught me how to read
My mother was the one who taught me how to read
Nobody′s fault but mine.
It is solely my fault, no one else's
Writer(s): James Patrick Page, Robert Anthony Plant
Contributed by Aaliyah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.