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.
She's Still With Me
Eric Bibb Lyrics
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From her window somewhere in heaven
Guiding me, guiding me
Closing my eyes I can remember
Summer days in New Mexico
Yes, it's her smile I can see warming me
She's still with me wherever I go
Deep in my soul I know she's still with me
Aunt Laura laugh, I do recall
Rolling like a wave
Yes, I can feel it washing my troubles
Clean away, clean away
We would play cards 'round the table
With my great-grandma in Albuquerque
There was sand storms and tumble weeds tumbling
Through the air everywhere
Aunt Laura's love's like a lantern shining in my life
From her window somewhere in heaven
Always there guiding me
She's still with me, this I know
She's still with me wherever I go
Deep in my soul I know she's still with me
She's still with me
Deep in my soul I know she's still with me
Eric Bibb's song She's Still With Me is an emotional tribute to his dear Aunt Laura, whose love and presence continue to guide him even after her passing. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Bibb's memories of his time with her in New Mexico - her smile, her laugh, their games of cards with great-grandma in Albuquerque, and the sand storms and tumbleweeds that were a part of their lives. All these memories come together to create a beautiful image of Aunt Laura's love, which Bibb compares to a shining lantern that guides him even today.
Throughout the song, Bibb expresses his conviction that Aunt Laura is still with him, even though she is no longer physically present. He describes how her love washes his troubles away like a wave and leads him through life like a guiding light. There is a sense of peace and comfort in these lyrics, as if Bibb takes solace in the knowledge that his Aunt Laura is watching over him from somewhere in heaven.
Overall, She's Still With Me is a touching tribute to the enduring power of love and the lasting impact that those we love can have on our lives. Bibb's lyrics are heartfelt and moving, and they remind us that the people we lose may be gone but are never truly forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
Aunt Laura's love's like a lantern shining in my life
The love from my Aunt Laura is like a lantern that illuminates my life.
From her window somewhere in heaven
Even though she has passed away, I feel as though she is watching over me from heaven.
Guiding me, guiding me
Her love continues to guide me through life, even after her passing.
Closing my eyes I can remember
When I close my eyes, I can vividly recall the moments I've shared with my Aunt Laura.
Summer days in New Mexico
I particularly remember the days of summer spent in New Mexico with her.
Yes, it's her smile I can see warming me
I can still remember the warmth I feel from her smile and how it uplifts me.
She's still with me, this I know
I am certain that my Aunt Laura's presence, even if it's just in spirit, is still with me.
She's still with me wherever I go
No matter where I go, I know that she's still with me, watching over me and guiding me.
Deep in my soul I know she's still with me
I have a strong feeling, deep within my soul, that my Aunt Laura is still present, even after her passing.
Aunt Laura laugh, I do recall
I vividly remember my Aunt Laura's laughter, which was infectious and uplifting.
Rolling like a wave
Her laughter would spread like a wave, touching and lifting everyone.
Yes, I can feel it washing my troubles
I still feel the calming effect of her laughter, and it helps me deal with my troubles.
Clean away, clean away
Her laughter has the ability to wash away my troubles and uplift me.
We would play cards 'round the table
One of the fondest memories I have of my Aunt Laura is us playing cards together around a table.
With my great-grandma in Albuquerque
We were often joined by my great-grandma in Albuquerque for our card games.
There was sand storms and tumble weeds tumbling
Although we faced the challenges of occasional sand storms and tumbleweeds, our card games were always fun and enjoyable.
She's still with me, this I know
My Aunt Laura's presence in my life is something that I am sure of, even though she has passed away.
Deep in my soul I know she's still with me
The feeling of my Aunt Laura's presence is deep within me and is something that I am certain of.
Contributed by Sophie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.