John Mayall is often referred to as the "Father of the British blues." His well-known band is still called John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. They started out in the late 1950s in England, using Chicago style blues as a starting basis for their sound, which has evolved from album to album. And while at one point John Mayall was playing a fairly jazzy sound, he has always come back to the blues.
One of the interesting features of the Bluesbreakers is that members have changed on a very regular basis, and many have gone on to well deserved fame and fortune with other bands and as solo acts. Past members include: Eric Clapton, and Jack Bruce, (also of Cream), Peter Green, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, and Mick Taylor, (who went on to a five -year stint with the Stones.) The studio album recorded with Clapton, entitled John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, was recorded in 1966, and is widely considered to be one of the great classic blues albums on either side of the stormy Atlantic. Cream came round right after.
John Mayall stands out for several reasons - his standing up for the blues, while experimenting with different approaches, his ability to attract the best of musicians; and perhaps most notably his willingness to work with musicians who far outshine him in sheer ability. And he himself sounds very good!
From:Wikipedia
I'm Your Witch Doctor
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got the power of the devil, I'm the conjurer guy.
Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour,
Gonna feel you burning like a passion flower.
[Chorus]
Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey.
Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey.
I was born in the country and I lived in the trees.
I got my voodoo from the birds and the bees.
Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour,
Gonna feel you burning, little passion flower.
[Chorus]
I'm your witchdoctor, got the evil eye,
Got the power of the devil, I'm the conjurer guy.
Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour,
Gonna feel you burning like a passion flower.
[Chorus]
I've got my mean old spell on you,
I've got my mean old spell on you,
Your witchdoctor, your witchdoctor, got my eyes on you.
The song "I'm Your Witchdoctor" by John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers feat. Eric Clapton is a blues rock song filled with references to voodoo and conjuring. The lyrics suggest that the singer is possessed by the spirit of a witch doctor, who has the power to conjure love and passion in his subjects. The lines "got the power of the devil, I'm the conjurer guy" suggest the dark undertones of this love potion, implying that the singer has the potential to use his powers for evil if he so chooses. The repetition of the line "Your witchdoctor, your witchdoctor, got my eyes on you" reinforces the idea that the listener is under his spell and powerless to resist his charms.
The second verse, in which the singer claims to have gained his "voodoo from the birds and the bees," firmly establishes the supernatural nature of his powers. Additionally, the mention of being born in the country and living in the trees sets a mood of otherworldliness and nature-focused magic. The chorus, which consists only of chanting "hey hey," emphasizes the primal, elemental nature of the spell that the singer is casting.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the potentially dangerous nature of love and attraction when it is influenced by supernatural forces.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm your witchdoctor, got the evil eye,
I am your witchdoctor, possessing an intimidating and supernatural gaze.
Got the power of the devil, I'm the conjurer guy.
I have diabolical abilities and am the expert magician.
Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour,
I will instruct you in the ways of love when darkness envelops the world.
Gonna feel you burning like a passion flower.
Your passion will ignite like a flower blossoming under my guidance.
[Chorus]
Refrain: Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey. Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey. Your witchdoctor, your witchdoctor, got my eyes on you.
I was born in the country and I lived in the trees.
I hail from the rural regions and lived amongst the foliage.
I got my voodoo from the birds and the bees.
My knowledge of voodoo comes from lessons learned from the natural world.
Gonna teach you love at the midnight hour,
I will instruct you in the ways of love when darkness envelops the world.
Gonna feel you burning, little passion flower.
Your passion will ignite like a flower blossoming under my guidance.
[Chorus]
Refrain: Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey. Hey hey, hey hey hey, hey. Your witchdoctor, your witchdoctor, got my eyes on you.
I've got my mean old spell on you,
I have put my malicious charm on you.
I've got my mean old spell on you,
I have put my malicious charm on you.
Your witchdoctor, your witchdoctor, got my eyes on you.
I am your witchdoctor, and I am watching over you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind