In the 1930s and 1940s he played with some of the premier swing bands, including Luis Russell's, Benny Carter's, Red Allen's, and Fletcher Henderson's. He also played with Louis Armstrong, who had taken over Russell's band, from 1937 to 1940. From 1947 on he chiefly led his own groups. He recorded extensively both as a sideman and as a leader. He played for a long period in the forties with his ideal partner Red Allen, and then disappeared from the scene for several years.
Higginbotham led several bands in the Fifties in Boston and Cleveland, appeared regularly at the Metropole in New York between 1956 and 1959, and led his own Dixieland band there in the Sixties. He also appeared on the DuMont series Jazz Party (1958), aired on WNTA-TV.
During the tenure with Luis Russell, on February 5, 1930, a single session was issued under the name of J.C. Higgenbotham and His Six Hicks was issued on OKeh 8772, featuring "Give Me Your Telephone Number" and "Higgenbotham Blues". Musicians included Henry Allen, Higgenbotham, Charlie Holmes, Luis Russell, Will Hognson, Pops Foster and Paul Barbarin, all member of Russell's band.
He went on his first European tour with Sammy Price, appearing in Scandinavia, and worked once again briefly in 1964 with Louis Armstrong. After that things quietened down around Higginbotham.
He died on May 26, 1973 in New York.
Higginbotham was considered to be the most vital of the swing trombone players. His strong, raucous sound on the trombone and wild outbreaks on stage were characteristic. Along with Jimmy Harrison and Jack Teagarden, Higginbotham contributed to the acceptance of the trombone in jazz music as a melodically capable instrument.
Here Comes The Night
J.C. Higginbotham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smoke a lot Cheech and Chong
Head banger power bomb
When hit my lungs
It be like boom
Lil shawty made it thunder clap
So I had to make it rain
Why when that rain fall down
It be like boom
Set it off Car alarm
Rich boy power ball
You notice when I
Turn up turn up turn up turn up
It be like boom crunk like I came with
Auto start
So much drip until it drop
Get it craccin like the 4th
When I pop it be like
Boom
That's on the Opp
Make us spin the block
Spin the block again
Spin the block again
Spin the block again
Spin the block
Switch up the car
Spin the block again
Spin the block again
Spin the block again
Spin the block again
That's a laundry mat
Met this lil chick
On Gardner's ferry
Long hair just like repunzal
Her Chanel bag was fake
But that's her real hair
Looking back
On what I been through
Don't know what the future holds
But I'm looking forward to it
Cause ain't no going back
You know that she a jump off
Mad at'cha homie though
Cause she let your homie smash
That's a red flag
Dudes be really gang banging
Claiming sets I never heard of
Boy shut up that gang made up
That's a red flag
Gas strong flower bomb
Smoke a lot Cheech and Chong
Head banger power bomb
When hit my lungs
It be like boom
Lil shawty made it thunder clap
So I had to make it rain
Why when that rain fall down
And hit the ground
It be like boom
Set it off Car alarm
Rich boy power ball
You notice when I
Turn up turn up turn up turn up
It be like boom crunk like I came with
Auto start
So much drip until it drop
Get it craccin like the 4th
When I pop it be like
Boom
Now mix the word play
With the gun play
Laser wash wet up your car
Like you just washed the whip
Born again God's son
But I'm the devil's advocate
Father time
Work around the clock
Let's not forget
Hustling before the rap
And I'll trap again
Lil project kid
Always dreamed of being a star
Ya'll can have the sky
Rap legend and a street legend
Call me Mr. Ip
You couldn't fool me
I'm not karate kidding
Hands I got em
Plus your girl wanna kick with me
Blow more money than Chicago
The windy city
Riches got me tripping
Neighbors think I'm ignorant
When those trials and tribulations had me
I ain't have a pot to piss in
Gas strong flower bomb
Smoke a lot Cheech and Chong
Head banger power bomb
When hit my lungs
It be like boom
Lil shawty made it thunder clap
So I had to make it rain
Why when that rain fall down
And hit the ground
It be like boom
Set it off Car alarm
Rich boy power ball
You notice when I
Turn up turn up turn up turn up
It be like boom crunk like I came with
Auto start
So much drip until it drop
Get it craccin like the 4th
When I pop it be like
Boom
The lyrics to J.C. Higginbotham's "Here Comes the Night" are a mix of braggadocio, wordplay, and storytelling. The chorus repeats the phrase "It be like boom" and describes the impact of various things, such as gas, smoke, and power, on the singer's lungs. The verses cover a variety of topics, from spinning the block (driving around the neighborhood) to meeting a girl with fake Chanel and real long hair, to reflecting on past struggles and hustling. There is also a reference to the Chicago nickname "Windy City" and a play on words with "blow more money," which could refer to both spending money and drug use.
One possible interpretation of the song is that the singer is asserting his dominance and toughness, emphasizing the impact that various substances and actions have on him. The repeated phrase "It be like boom" suggests that he is not easily shaken or intimidated by anything. However, the references to past struggles and the line "Father time / Work around the clock" also suggest that he has overcome challenges and is determined to keep hustling and succeeding.
Overall, the song has a confident, aggressive tone and a mix of imagery and wordplay that may require some interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Gas strong flower bomb
Referring to the strong scent and explosive nature of marijuana
Smoke a lot Cheech and Chong
Continuing to reference the use of marijuana and the famous stoner duo Cheech and Chong
Head banger power bomb
Referencing aggressive behavior and/or an intense physical feeling
When hit my lungs
When I inhale the marijuana smoke
It be like boom
The feeling I get is explosive or intense
Lil shawty made it thunder clap
A woman I was with created a loud noise or excitement
So I had to make it rain
I had to impress or satisfy her in some way
Why when that rain fall down
Referring to money being thrown
And hit the ground
Landing or being wasted
Set it off Car alarm
Causing a disruptive noise or reaction
Rich boy power ball
Boasting about wealth and/or power
You notice when I
Pointing out the attention that I draw
Turn up turn up turn up turn up
Encouraging an energetic or hyped response
It be like boom crunk like I came with
The feeling I get is explosive and intense as if I came with a hyped person
Auto start
Quick and efficient start or action
So much drip until it drop
Wearing expensive and flashy clothing and accessories until they get ruined or wasted
Get it craccin like the 4th
Causing excitement and fireworks similar to the 4th of July holiday
When I pop it be like
When I take action, it is explosive or intense
That's on the Opp
Claiming to be successful or better than the opposition
Make us spin the block
Forcing a repeat or return of a previous action
Switch up the car
Changing the vehicle or method of transportation
That's a laundry mat
Referencing a location or activity that is less glamorous or impressive
Met this lil chick
Talking about a romantic encounter
On Gardner's ferry
Referencing a specific location
Long hair just like repunzal
Describing a woman with long hair like the fairytale character Rapunzel
Her Chanel bag was fake
Exposing someone's inauthenticity or falseness
But that's her real hair
Emphasizing the authenticity of another aspect of her appearance
Looking back
Reflecting on past experiences or struggles
On what I been through
Continuation of reflecting on the past
Don't know what the future holds
Uncertainty about the future
But I'm looking forward to it
Optimistic attitude towards the future
Cause ain't no going back
Emphasizing the importance of moving forward
You know that she a jump off
Referring to a promiscuous woman
Mad at'cha homie though
Blaming someone else for the situation
Cause she let your homie smash
Accusing someone of being unfaithful
That's a red flag
Warning sign
Dudes be really gang banging
Observation about people falsely claiming gang affiliation
Claiming sets I never heard of
Further observation about the inauthenticity of some gang members
Boy shut up that gang made up
Expressing disapproval of this behavior
Now mix the word play
Mixing lyrical skills with violent behavior
With the gun play
Using guns to enforce power or authority
Laser wash wet up your car
Damaging someone's property
Like you just washed the whip
Making the damage even more disrespectful
Born again God's son
Describing a spiritual transformation
But I'm the devil's advocate
Acknowledging a duality or inner conflict
Father time
Reference to the inevitability of aging
Work around the clock
Working excessively or tirelessly
Let's not forget
Remembering something important
Hustling before the rap
Referring to a past life of crime or illicit activities
And I'll trap again
Indicating a desire to return to that life
Lil project kid
Describing humble beginnings
Always dreamed of being a star
Aspiration for fame and success
Ya'll can have the sky
Telling others to aim high and pursue their dreams
Rap legend and a street legend
Acknowledging achievements in both aspects of life
Call me Mr. Ip
Assuming a new identity or nickname
You couldn't fool me
Asserting independence or intelligence
I'm not karate kidding
Clarifying that he is serious or not joking
Hands I got em
A threat of violence or physical altercation
Plus your girl wanna kick with me
Claiming that another man's girlfriend is drawn to him
Blow more money than Chicago
Spending recklessly and excessively
The windy city
Reference to Chicago's nickname
Riches got me tripping
Acknowledging the potential negative effects of wealth
Neighbors think I'm ignorant
Others' perceptions of him as foolish or unsophisticated
When those trials and tribulations had me
Reflecting on past struggles and challenges
I ain't have a pot to piss in
Referring to extreme poverty
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Richard Little
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind