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.

Pockets
Eric Bibb Lyrics

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I got a pocket for my keys, a pocket for my cash
One for my ticket in case I got to leave town fast
My favorite pocket, you know the one I'm thinking of
Is the pocket in my heart for your love?
The pocket in my heart for your love

I got a pocket for my pen, one for my book
A pocket for my glasses when I got to get a better look

But my favorite pocket, said it from the start
Is the pocket for your love inside my heart?
The pocket for your love inside my heart

Before I met you, baby
I had a pocket full of cares
Last time I looked
There wasn't any there

I got a pocket for my comb, a pocket for my candy bar
One for my passport when I'm traveling that far
But my favorite pocket fits just like a glove
Is the pocket in my heart for your love?
The pocket in my heart for your love

Since I met you, baby
I've been having so much fun
Writing love songs
And this one's almost done

I got a pocket for my watch a pocket for my silver flask
One for my wallet with the family photographs
And my favorite pocket, said it from the start
Is the pocket for your love inside my heart?
The pocket for your love inside my heart

I got a pocket for my cough drops, a pocket for my handkerchief
Before I gave it up, I had a pocket for my split
And my favorite pocket, you know the one I'm thinking of
Is the pocket in my heart for your love?
The pocket in my heart for your love

I'm talking about the love pocket
Love pocket, I got it, love pocket

Overall Meaning

In Eric Bibb's song "Pockets", the singer talks about the many different pockets he has for different items such as his keys, cash, books, and glasses. However, none of these pockets compare to the one he has in his heart for his love. Bibb emphasizes that his love for someone is stored in a deep and personal place within his heart. This love pocket is his favorite as it is a space where he can keep his love secure and always with him.

Before the singer met his love, he had a pocket full of cares. This suggests that he used to carry a lot of worries and concerns but after finding love, they all disappear. He now has pockets for fun items like candy bars and split, but the most important pocket to him is still the one in his heart where he stores his love.

Throughout the song, Bibb maintains an upbeat and positive tone which adds to the carefree nature of the song. This song is a beautiful tribute to the special place that love holds in our hearts and the importance of always keeping it close.

Line by Line Meaning

I got a pocket for my keys, a pocket for my cash
I always have a separate pocket for my keys and cash.

One for my ticket in case I got to leave town fast
I have a pocket for my ticket in case I need to leave quickly.

My favorite pocket, you know the one I'm thinking of
I have a favorite pocket and it's the one that holds your love.

Is the pocket in my heart for your love? The pocket in my heart for your love
My favorite pocket is the one in my heart that holds your love.

I got a pocket for my pen, one for my book
I always carry a separate pocket for my pen and book.

A pocket for my glasses when I got to get a better look
I have a pocket for my glasses when I need to see things better.

But my favorite pocket, said it from the start
My favorite pocket is the one that holds your love.

Is the pocket for your love inside my heart? The pocket for your love inside my heart
My favorite pocket is the one in my heart that holds your love.

Before I met you, baby I had a pocket full of cares Last time I looked There wasn't any there
Before I met you, I used to worry a lot but now I am carefree and happy.

I got a pocket for my comb, a pocket for my candy bar
I have a pocket for my comb and for my candy bar.

One for my passport when I'm traveling that far
I always have a separate pocket for my passport when traveling.

But my favorite pocket fits just like a glove
My favorite pocket fits perfectly and it's the one that holds your love.

Since I met you, baby I've been having so much fun Writing love songs And this one's almost done
Since I met you, I've been happy and inspired to write love songs like this one.

I got a pocket for my watch a pocket for my silver flask
I always have a separate pocket for my watch and for my silver flask.

One for my wallet with the family photographs
I have a pocket for my wallet that holds my family photographs.

And my favorite pocket, said it from the start
My favorite pocket is the one that holds your love.

I got a pocket for my cough drops, a pocket for my handkerchief
I always carry a separate pocket for my cough drops and handkerchief.

Before I gave it up, I had a pocket for my split
I used to have a pocket for my split before giving it up.

And my favorite pocket, you know the one I'm thinking of
My favorite pocket is the one that holds your love.

I'm talking about the love pocket Love pocket, I got it, love pocket
I'm talking about the pocket in my heart that holds your love.

Contributed by Kylie V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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