Their first album was recorded live at Berkeley in 1969. They continued their work with Jefferson Airplane during this project, and even though Jefferson Airplane dissolved, Hot Tuna has continued to tour to this day. Casady is considered by many to be one of the most advanced and innovative in his style.
Their official website is http://hottuna.com and http://hottunatunes.com has music downloads of some of their recent live dates and a few older dates which really capture the spirit of these two very talented musicians.
Joey Covington, a self-taught drummer since the age of 10, (also know in his childhood as Joey Michno) helped found Blues-rock group Hot Tuna in 1969, alongside Jefferson Airplane members Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen, while the latter band was still in its beginnings.
However, the recordings he did for Tuna were unreleased and eventually rejoined Casady and Kaukonen at the Airplane and featured on three studio albums, the first being Volunteers, as he replaced Spencer Dryden midway through the recording process. He wrote and sang the last hit for Jefferson Airplane 1971's "Pretty As You Feel" featured on the Bark Album.
Covington left Jefferson Airplane in mid-1972 to pursue a solo career, starting with Fat Fandango.[3] He subsequently faded from view, only resurfacing sporadically, like in 1976's Spitfire by Jefferson Starship, where he co-wrote the hit single "With Your Love".
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he toured with various configurations as The San Francisco Allstars.
Covington was well-known around the Palm Springs area as a talented musician who delighted his audience by playing free gigs whenever possible. His last performance was for a Marilyn Monroe celebration in Palm Springs June 1, 2013. Covington thrilled his audience and signed autographs following the performance.[4]
Covington was killed in an automobile accident in Palm Springs, California on June 4, 2013. Covington slammed into a wall and was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collison. He was 67.[5]
See also: Hot Tuna at Wikipedia
True Religion
Hot Tuna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Allelu
Said take the pillow from under my head
Allelu
Now, take the pillow from under my head
Jesus's gonna make up my dyin' bed
Then you'll need that true religion
Doctor, doctor, lookin' sad
Allelu
Well, doctor, doctor said lookin' sad
Allelu
And doctor, doctor now lookin' sad
"Strangest case I ever had"
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
Crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Allelu
Well, crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Allelu
Said, crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Jesus' gonna be the engineer
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
Momma take the pillow from under my head, now
Allelu
Said take the pillow from under my head
Allelu
Well, take the pillow from under my head
Jesus's gonna make up my dyin' bed
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
And I cried, you'll need that true religion
Allelu
The song "True Religion" by Hot Tuna is a gospel-blues song that speaks of a dying person's need for spiritual faith and the comfort it brings. The lyrics open with a request to the mother to remove the pillow from under the singer's head. This may symbolize the removal of earthly comforts as he prepares to die. He then mentions the need for "true religion" as he believes that Jesus will make up his dying bed. The song highlights the importance of having faith in Jesus during life and in death.
As the lyrics progress, a doctor visits the dying person, and the doctor appears sad. He says that this is the strangest case he has ever had, emphasizing the severity of the situation. This further emphasizes the message of the song to have faith in Jesus and the need for true religion. The song's lyrics continue, and it is evident that the person's focus is not on the illness or death but on their faith in God. The chorus repeats the need for true religion and ends with the singer crying out this message.
Overall, the lyrics of the song "True Religion" by Hot Tuna are about the need for faith in God and emphasizing that having true religion can bring comfort and hope during difficult times. It is a message of hope and a reminder of the importance of spirituality in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Momma take the pillow from under my head, now
The singer is asking his mother to remove the pillow from under his head.
Said take the pillow from under my head
The singer reiterates his request for his mother to remove the pillow from under his head.
Now, take the pillow from under my head
Jesus's gonna make up my dyin' bed
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
The singer believes that he is about to die, and claims that Jesus will prepare his deathbed. He then suggests that this shows the importance of having 'true religion.'
Doctor, doctor, lookin' sad
Allelu
Well, doctor, doctor said lookin' sad
Allelu
The singer is talking to a doctor who appears to be sad. He repeats the line, possibly as a way of emphasizing the doctor's demeanor.
And doctor, doctor now lookin' sad
"Strangest case I ever had"
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
The doctor seems to be perplexed by the singer's condition, claiming that it is the 'strangest case' he has ever seen. This reinforces the idea that the singer is in need of 'true religion.'
Crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Allelu
Well, crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Allelu
Said, crossin' Jordan, I need not fear
Jesus' gonna be the engineer
Then you'll need that true religion
Allelu
The singer is not afraid of crossing over the Jordan River (which represents death) because he believes that Jesus will be the 'engineer' who guides him. Once again, this highlights the importance of having 'true religion.'
And I cried, you'll need that true religion
Allelu
The repetition of the line 'you'll need that true religion' suggests that this is the main message of the song. The singer is urging people to find faith before it's too late.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JORMA KAUKONEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brad Banks
Been a fan for more than 30 years. Everyone wants to make money, but to these guys and others like them, the music has always been important. Burgers is easily my favorite by this great band.
Stefan Schleps
A true masterpiece of San Francisco blues. Has never grown old, and continues to brighten our lives more than fifty years since it was first released. Thanks for sharing! 😊😊
John LaStrada
A friend left this album behind in my basement 200 years ago & I just stashed it atop some books with the cover art out. No idea it was an acoustic Jefferson Airplane mutation. Ignored it for a year. One day I planned to go record hunting for new tunes with $50. There was a blizzard. Never went for the lps. Instead, still having an itch for new music, I took down the Burgers lp & gave it a spin. The following week I bought every Hot Tuna album I could find.
fowlerham
Hot.
Kalanchoe1
Tuna.
Al Arauz
Yup. Hot F'ing Tuna, baby.
David Pfeifer
Great story!! For a great band. Rip the real papa John
Tom B
hey John...this is 2020.....nine years later and I'm listening to True Religion....how cool is that? :)
Joseph Dunn
Jorma is the most under rated blues guitarist ever
Done
Longest show I ever saw was acoustic Hot Tuna with Papa John and Paul Kantner at the old Ritz in NYC in 1987. Probably started at 11pm and went until 4am. Played like 40 songs or something over 2 sets. my 17 year old back was killing me from standing there so long. Killer show though!