Although critically acclaimed, John Hammond has had only moderate commercial success. Nonetheless, he enjoys a strong fan base and has earned respect from the likes of John Lee Hooker, Roosevelt Sykes, Duane Allman, Robbie Robertson, and Charlie Musselwhite, all of whom have contributed their musical talents to Hammond's records. In addition, he is the only person who ever had Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in his band at the same time, even if it was only for five days in the 1960s when Hammond played the Gaslight Café in New York. To his regret, they never recorded together.
John Hammond has had a longstanding friendship with songwriter Tom Waits, and has performed Waits' songs on occasion. In 2001, he released Wicked Grin, an album entirely of Tom Waits compositions. Waits himself provided guitar work and backing vocals as well as producing the project.
2. John Hammond was a old time banjo player from the 1920's. He recorded the bluegrass classic 'Little Birdie' in 1925.
Riding In The Moonlight
John Hammond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O-oh Baby, can you ride with Daddy tonight?
I want you to ride with Daddy, Honey
While the moon is shining bright
Baby, I'm a give you a party tonight
O-ohBaby, I'm a give you a party tonight
I want you to ride with me, Honey
Baby, I'm a buy you a automobile
O-oh Baby, I'm a buy you a automobile
I want you to ride with Daddy
While the moon is shining bright
Come on ride with me, Baby
Baby, don't have me wasting my time away
O-oh Baby, don't have me wasting my time away
Well, I'm coming by your house
I could be thirty long miles away
The lyrics to John Hammond's song Riding In The Moonlight are quite straightforward in their message. The song is essentially a love song, with Hammond singing to his partner, asking her to join him on a ride under the moonlight. He wants her to be with him, wants to give her a party under the shining moon, and wants to buy her an automobile. However, he seems to be a bit impatient and worried she may not be waiting for him. He asks her not to keep him wasting his time and promises to be there soon, no matter how far away her house may be.
The song is filled with the typical blues themes of love, desire, and anticipation. Hammond's mesmerizing voice and guitar skills, along with the brilliant lyrics, create a sensual and romantic mood. The repetition of the lines, "Baby, can you ride with Daddy tonight?" and "While the moon is shining bright," adds a hypnotic quality to the song, making it hard to resist the allure of the ride Hammond is offering.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, can you ride with Daddy tonight?
John Hammond is asking his partner to join him on a ride tonight.
O-oh Baby, can you ride with Daddy tonight?
John Hammond repeats his request in a more emotional tone.
I want you to ride with Daddy, Honey
While the moon is shining bright
John Hammond wants to take his partner on a joy ride while enjoying the beauty of the moon.
Baby, I'm a give you a party tonight
O-ohBaby, I'm a give you a party tonight
John Hammond promises his partner a good time on this ride.
I want you to ride with me, Honey
While the moon is shining bright
He repeats his desire for his partner to be with him on this night ride.
Baby, I'm a buy you a automobile
O-oh Baby, I'm a buy you a automobile
John Hammond vows to buy his partner a car as a token of love.
Come on ride with me, Baby
John Hammond encourages his partner to come along on this ride with him.
Baby, don't have me wasting my time away
O-oh Baby, don't have me wasting my time away
John Hammond does not want his partner to waste his time waiting for her to come along.
Well, I'm coming by your house
I could be thirty long miles away
John Hammond is willing to travel a long distance to pick his partner up and take her on this ride.
Contributed by Isaac H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.