Walker was born on 25th December 1949 in San Francisco, California; his parents were blues fans, and introduced him to the music when he was young. He learnt to play the guitar at the age of fourteen, and left home at sixteen to work as a performer. He soon met Mike Bloomfield, who introduced him to the Bay Area Blues scene. During the 1960s, Walker opened for such artists as Earl Hooker, Freddie King, and Lowell Fulson.
In 1975 he left the blues scene for ten years to sing with a gospel quartet called The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1980, he recorded an album with this group called God Will Provide. Walker left the Spiritual Corinthians in 1985, but has maintained a gospel influence in his music.
He returned to San Francisco in 1985, and formed a group called the Bosstalkers. He released four albums on the Hightone Records label before moving to Verve/Gitanes (a division of Polydor/Polygram). Walker released six albums with this label, and won a series of awards in the 1990s.
Walker has released several albums since leaving Verve, including four separate works between 2002 and 2003.
* Official site
Mama Didn't Raise No Fool
Joe Louis Walker Lyrics
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I could fall, oh baby, for your wicked smile
Buy you a drink, whisper some lie, oh no
And we could go somewhere quiet, for a little while
But my mama she didn′t raise no fool
She said, you be careful what you do
Don't let no-one take advantage of you
No fool
If I was a fool, I'd forget those promises I already have made
Wipe my woman from my mind, so we could play, oh baby
If I was a fool, I'd follow you home
I would hug you, kiss you and squeeze you, all night long
But no...
My mama she didn′t raise no fool
She said, you be careful what you do
Don′t let no-one take advantage of you
Cause my ma she didn't raise no fool
The lyrics of the song "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool" by Joe Louis Walker talks about being cautious in relationships and not being a naive person. The singer says that he could easily fall for someone's wicked smile and false promises but he won't do it because his mother taught him better. His mother warned him to be careful in love and relationships, not to let anyone take advantage of him. The singer does not want to forget the promises he made to his significant other or do anything that might jeopardize their relationship. The refrain of the song repeats the phrase "my mama didn't raise no fool" emphasizing the lessons that the singer learned from his mother.
The song has a deeper message that goes beyond love and relationships. It talks about how the guidance and teachings of parents shape individuals into who they become. The singer attributes his smart choices and wise decision-making skills to his mother's lessons. Thus, the lyrics also reflect how important it is to have a strong and positive upbringing that shapes your personality and values.
Line by Line Meaning
If I was a fool, it would sure be easy
If I lacked wisdom, I'd be easily swayed.
I could fall, oh baby, for your wicked smile
I'd be susceptible to your deceitful charm.
Buy you a drink, whisper some lie, oh no
I'd willingly purchase you a drink and fabricate falsehoods.
And we could go somewhere quiet, for a little while
I'd be willing to go to a secluded place with you for a short time.
But my mama she didn't raise no fool
However, my mother raised me to be discerning.
She said, you be careful what you do
She advised me to be cautious in my actions.
Don't let no-one take advantage of you
She warned me not to allow others to exploit me.
No fool
I refuse to be a gullible individual.
If I was a fool, I'd forget those promises I already have made
If I lacked intelligence, I'd disregard the commitments I've already made.
Wipe my woman from my mind, so we could play, oh baby
I'd forget about my significant other to indulge in play with you.
If I was a fool, I'd follow you home
If I had a lack of judgement, I'd follow you to your abode.
I would hug you, kiss you and squeeze you, all night long
I'd embrace you, kiss you, and hold you for an extended period.
Cause my ma she didn't raise no fool
However, my mother raised me to be astute.
Writer(s): Patricia Walker
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.