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.
Turner station
Eric Bibb Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I have to hobo there
Goin' up to Turner Station
If I have to hobo there
Start a new life, brother,
Believe I′ll conk my hair
Everything done changed -
Everything done changed -
My walk, talk, state of mind
Since I made my decision
Leave this town behind
Get a job at the steel mill
Make that double shift overtime
Get a job at the steel mill
Make that double shift overtime
Pickin' that man's tobacco
Never made me one lousy dime...
Got a place up in Turner Station
Make a preacher lay his bible down
Got a place up in Turner Station
Make a preacher lay his bible down
Make a man forget the system
Keepin′ his face in a permanent frown
Goin′ up to Turner Station
If I have to hobo there
Goin' up to Turner Station
If I have to hobo there
Start a new life, brother,
Believe I′ll conk my hair
The song "Turner Station" by Eric Bibb is a powerful tune that speaks of leaving behind an old life and starting anew. The lyrics are about a man who is tired of his current situation and looks towards Turner Station as his chance to make a fresh start. The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to get to Turner Station, even if he has to hobo his way there.
The song is a reflection of the struggles and hardships that come with starting over. The singer has changed everything from his walk, talk, and state of mind in making his decision to leave the town behind. The song also touches on the theme of the American dream, with the singer looking to get a job at the steel mill and hoping to make double-shift overtime.
Furthermore, the song highlights the power of Turner Station to bring hope and change to people's lives. The singer speaks of having a place in Turner Station that makes the preacher lay his bible down and makes a man forget the system that keeps his face in a permanent frown. This suggests that Turner Station is a place that offers freedom, hope, and a chance for a better life.
Overall, "Turner Station" is a heartfelt song about the desire for transformation and the search for something better. It is a reminder that no matter how tough things may seem, there is always the possibility of starting over, and Turner Station represents that opportunity.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' up to Turner Station
I'm heading towards Turner Station
If I have to hobo there
Even if I have to hitchhike or travel cheaply, I will still go there
Start a new life, brother,
I want to begin a new chapter in my life
Believe I′ll conk my hair
I am going to straighten my hair to mark the beginning of my new life
Everything done changed -
Everything has changed
My walk, talk, state of mind
From the way I talk and walk, to how I view things - everything has been altered
Since I made my decision
Ever since I made up my mind to leave this town
Leave this town behind
Abandon this place and move on
Get a job at the steel mill
I want to work at the steel mill
Make that double shift overtime
Work even overtime if it will make me financially comfortable
Pickin' that man’s tobacco
I've been working for someone (farming tobacco) but without benefitting from it financially
Never made me one lousy dime...
I didn't earn a single penny from that job
Got a place up in Turner Station
I already have a place in Turner Station
Make a preacher lay his bible down
My place is irresistible even to the preacher
Make a man forget the system
My place is so good that it will take away the bitterness of the societal system
Keepin′ his face in a permanent frown
That even those who are perpetually sad/unhappy will be pleased.
Writer(s): Eric Charles Bibb
Contributed by Lily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Catbubba
Yeah, my home no matter where I am at! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@nancydominiqueendres4777
Très bel hommage MONSIEUR Bibb ! merci… pour ne pas oublier !
@joegiardina1121
Wow
@MsKozachka
From first notes of the guitar I am there... yuuuuuhu!
@juanjoql7092
Fantastic festival blues Cazorla 2019, thanks
@Dev9172
I'd love to see him if he comes to Canada. very cool .
@kelliekarl
I'm now a huge fan! I'm really enjoying discovering your music. :)
@javiermartinezherranz6742
Gracias por tu música !! I hope you can come to play in Spain ( Madrid, Seville, Salamanca, Toledo,Segovia, Ávila........) A lot of beautiful cities, good food, hospitable people,nice weather, much heritage, architecture,etc) Thanks for your beautiful music and your guitar and voice !!!!
@pelegryphilip
Yeah !
@CharlesNorman508ARCT
Good stuff!