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
Uncle Sam's Blues
Hot Tuna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I'm headed off for war
I got my questionnaire baby
You know I'm headed off for war
Well, now I'm gonna do some fightin'
Well, no one knows what for
Well, Uncle Sam ain't no woman
You know he sure can take your man
You know he sure can take your man
Well, there's forty thousand in the service list
Doin' somethin' somewhere they just don't understand
Well, I'm gonna do some fightin'
Of that I can be sure
Said I'm gonna do some fightin'
Of that I can be sure
Well, now I want to kill somebody
Won't have to break no kind of law
I got my questionnaire baby
You know I'm headed off for war
I got my questionnaire baby
You know I'm headed off for war
Well, I want to kill somebody
Won't have to break no kind of law
The song "Uncle Sam's Blues" by Hot Tuna is a commentary on the draft and the Vietnam War. The singer is talking about receiving his draft questionnaire, indicating that he has been selected to fight in the war. He knows that he will be going to fight, but he is unclear on why he is being sent to fight. He states, "Well, now I'm gonna do some fightin', Well, no one knows what for." This line reflects the confusion and uncertainty about the war that many young men faced during the time of the draft.
The song also touches on the power of the government, specifically Uncle Sam, and how he can take away men from their families and friends to fight in war. The line "Uncle Sam ain't no woman, You know he sure can take your man" is a reference to men being drafted and the power the government holds over them. The song suggests that the government does not always have the best intentions for its people, and that those in power are willing to manipulate and use people to further their own interests.
In the final verse of the song, the singer expresses a desire to kill someone while in combat, regardless of whether it is legal or not. This reflects the frustration and anger that many young men felt about being drafted into a war that they didn't understand or agree with. Overall, "Uncle Sam's Blues" serves as a powerful commentary on the struggles and frustrations of those affected by the draft and the Vietnam War.
Line by Line Meaning
Got my questionnaire baby
I have received my letter from the government requesting my military service
You know I'm headed off for war
I am certain to enter into conflict with another nation
Well, now I'm gonna do some fightin'
I am preparing to engage in physical combat
Well, no one knows what for
I am uncertain about the purpose or justification for this war
Well, Uncle Sam ain't no woman
The government does not hesitate to draft men into military service
You know he sure can take your man
The government has the power to conscript male citizens for the military
Well, there's forty thousand in the service list
There are many individuals who have been drafted for military service
Doin' somethin' somewhere they just don't understand
These drafted individuals are uncertain about their mission or objective
Well, now I want to kill somebody
I feel the urge to cause someone's death
Won't have to break no kind of law
Killing in the context of war is considered legally justifiable
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACK CASADY, JORMA KAUKONEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mojorayjones
Great performance, and good to see it on a split screen! Jorma doing his finger picking electric with the far out American flag Strat, whooaaaa!
joheckster
awesome. LOVE! memories. papa john always made for one special show!
Rasmusweinhardt
AWESOME-AWESOME-AWESOME!!!!!!! Hot Tuna at their best! It's like perfect sex, perfect black hashish and totally beeing in love at the same time! Takes me back to my Hippie youth, that I've never regreted! Thanks for posting this!!!!
aurora1957A
wow!!! I may have to go out and buy the DVD just for this! :)
morin michel
super , session ,et papa john en solo ( très bon album )
vicky amare
Demasiado bueno
Leonardo Mirenda
This appears on the best of hot tuna electric AMAZING PERFORMANCE JORMA THE SEX SIMBOL, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Patriarca DJ
Happy Birthday, Papa John Creach, wherever you are!!!
cesar antonio Cartaya
Pura crema-
The Bronx Troll
kudos.arigato. amazing