After graduating from high school, Caliste began singing at her cousin's bar 'Laura's Place' and caught the attention of many different bands who were willing to accompany her. In 1965, she recorded a demo of a cover version of Jackie Wilson's song "Stop Doggin' Me Around." Her demo attracted record producer Huey Meaux, who signed her to a recording contract at the Jet Star/Tribe record labels. Shortly thereafter, Caliste adopted the professional name of "Jean Knight," because she felt that her surname was too hard to pronounce. She recorded four singles, making a name for herself locally, but was not able to attract any national attention. By the late 1960s, it was obvious that her career was not living up to her high expectations, so she went to work as a baker in the cafeteria of Loyola University in New Orleans.
In early 1970, she was discovered by songwriter Ralph Williams, who wanted her to record some songs. With Williams' connections, she came in contact with record producer Wardell Quezergue. In May of that year, she went to Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi, for a recording session during which she recorded "Mr. Big Stuff." After the session was finished, the song was shopped to producers at several national labels, all of whom rejected it. But when King Floyd's hit "Groove Me" (also recorded at Malaco Studios) became a #1 R&B hit in early 1971, a producer at Stax Records remembered Knight's recording of "Mr. Big Stuff," and released it. The song also proved to be an instant smash in 1971, reaching #2 on the pop chart and becoming a #1 R&B hit. It went double-platinum and received a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female; it lost to Aretha Franklin's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." It sold over two million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. The next year, Knight was named the 'Most Promising Female Vocalist'. An album of the same name proved to be fairly successful. A couple more minor hits followed, but disagreements with her producer and her label terminated Knight's involvement with Stax.
After leaving Stax, Knight recorded songs for various small labels, but was not able to gain any more recognition. She ended up performing and touring the local oldie circuit. Things changed in 1981, when she met local producer Isaac Bolden, who signed her to his Soulin' label. Together, they came up with a song entitled "You Got the Papers but I Got the Man," an answer song to Betty Wright's hit, "I've Got the Papers on the Man"; that song was leased to Atlantic Records for national release. Soon, Knight found herself touring consistently. In 1985, she gained more recognition when she covered Rockin' Sidney's zydeco novelty hit, "My Toot Toot." Her version proved to be most successful, reaching #50 on the pop chart. Knight was then given a chance to perform it on the TV variety show Solid Gold. The song also became her only hit in South Africa, reaching number 3.
Although she waited twelve years to come out with another recording, she continued touring and performing engagements all over the world, particularly in the Southern states. In 2003, she performed her biggest hit, "Mr. Big Stuff", on the PBS special Soul Comes Home. Knight has talent running in the family; her great nephews are Gerard Caliste (a visual artist) and Swedish hip hop artist Mattias Lindström Caliste who is part of the Scandinavian rap group Fjärde Världen. Knight continues to tour and make live performances, often with such artists as Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor.
In October 2007, the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame honored Knight for her contributions to Louisiana music by inducting her.
Jean Knight's song "Do Me" appears on the 2007 Superbad soundtrack.
My Toot Toot
Jean Knight Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't mess with my Toot Toot.
I know you have another woman
So don't mess with my Toot Toot.
When I was born in my birth suit the doctor slap her behind
He said: You're gonna be special
You sweet little Toot Toot.
But if you much as touch
You're gonna have yourself a case
I'm gonna break your face.
So don't mess with my Toot Toot
Don't mess with my Toot Toot.
I know you have another woman
So don't mess with my Toot Toot.
Don't mess with my Toot Toot
Don't mess with my Toot Toot.
Toot Toot - Toot Toot - I know you have another woman - Toot Toc
Toot Toot - Toot Toot - I know you have another woman - Toot Toc
Don't mess with my Toot Toot
Don't mess with my Toot Toot...
Jean Knight's song "My Toot Toot" is about a woman who is fiercely protective of her man and warns any other potential love interests to stay away. She starts off by declaring "Don't mess with my Toot Toot" twice in the chorus, making it clear that she is not to be trifled with. She acknowledges that her man may have another woman but warns them not to touch what's hers. The line "I know you have another woman" shows that she has accepted that there might be competition for her man, but she is not going to let that stop her from fighting for his love.
The second verse of the song reveals how Jean Knight's character received her nickname, Toot Toot, at birth. The doctor who delivered her said she was going to be special and lovingly referred to her as "sweet little Toot Toot." This gives context to the importance of the nickname and why she's so protective of it. The line "You're gonna have yourself a case, I'm gonna break your face" shows just how serious she is about her man, indicating that she's not afraid to resort to violence if necessary.
Overall, the song is a lighthearted but powerful anthem about the lengths someone will go to protect their love. It shows how love can bring out a fierce and protective side in a person.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't mess with my Toot Toot
Don't interfere with the things that belong to me.
Don't mess with my Toot Toot.
I am serious about keeping my Toot Toot safe and secure.
I know you have another woman
I am aware that you have someone else in your life.
So don't mess with my Toot Toot.
Therefore, you need to respect my feelings and leave my Toot Toot alone.
When I was born in my birth suit the doctor slap her behind
At the time of my birth, the doctor spanked me to start my breathing.
He said: You're gonna be special
The doctor saw something special in me and made that prediction.
You sweet little Toot Toot.
He referred to me as a cute little Toot Toot.
So you can look as much
It is okay to look at my Toot Toot, from a distance.
But if you much as touch
However, you are not permitted to touch my Toot Toot.
You're gonna have yourself a case
If you break this rule, you will create a serious issue.
I'm gonna break your face.
I will retaliate with violence if you try to touch my Toot Toot.
Toot Toot - Toot Toot - I know you have another woman - Toot Toc
I am repeating my earlier statement about being aware of your other woman.
Don't mess with my Toot Toot
I am emphatic in my desire to keep my Toot Toot safe and unharmed.
Don't mess with my Toot Toot.
As I stated earlier, I am very serious about my Toot Toot and its safety.
Contributed by Nora H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jasonsterling4129
RIP Aunt Jean! Thank you for all the inspiration you gave me!
@glauciohenriquesilveiradin8926
Música que curti muito na minha adolescência, minha música preferida!🤩
@jackspry9736
RIP Jean Knight (January 26, 1943 – November 22, 2023), aged 80
You will be remembered as a legend.
@muffs55mercury61
Just heard. So sorry.
@jordanaromero5414
Sensacional canción, gran recuerdo 😉👏👍👌
@douglasallen9428
Released in the US on the Mirage label, this song would become Jean Knight’s second greatest hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 50… though in my honest opinion, “My Toot Toot” certainly deserved to be a much bigger hit than it ultimately was……
@dancampos
It is a big hit but in the Mexican culture
@narcfreekeekee9168
My mom used to play this when me and my bro were kids. I remember this song very well. Rip mommy
@thomastarwater2989
How on earth did I miss this one? Jean Knight sings with some Cajun soul, and I can’t decide which is the best version—-hers or Denise LaSalle’s. Both are equally great!,
!!!
@governorofthedeathstar1680
Rest In Paradise, Ms. Jean Knight😢