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
What'd I Say
John Mayall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gonna move you back to Arkansas.
All right, baby what'd I say?
Whoa, all right, baby what'd I say?
Oh baby, oh baby.
All right, baby, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Yeah, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Oh, what'd I say?
Baby, what'd I say?
Ah well, ah hey, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
All right, baby.
The lyrics to John Mayall's song "What'd I Say" are simple but powerful. They suggest a desire for movement and change, as the singer plans to move back to Arkansas. The repetition of the question "what'd I say?" suggests a sense of urgency and intensity, as if the singer is trying to convince someone else (perhaps a lover?) to come with him. The refrain of "all right, yeah" and "hey, yeah, yeah, yeah" suggest a lively and joyful atmosphere, as if something exciting is about to happen.
While the lyrics don't give a lot of detail, they provide enough ambiguity to allow the listener to fill in the blanks with their own imagination. Are they leaving because of financial hardship? Is the singer trying to escape a bad relationship? The answer is not clear, but the song suggests that whatever the reason, it's time to make a change and move forward.
Overall, "What'd I Say" is a song about taking action and not being afraid to make big changes in your life. It's a call to adventure, a reminder that sometimes the best things in life come from taking risks and embracing the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell your momma, tell your pa,
Inform your parents that we are moving you back to Arkansas
Gonna move you back to Arkansas.
We are making preparations to move you back to Arkansas
All right, baby what'd I say?
Okay darling, what do you have to say?
Whoa, all right, baby what'd I say?
Gosh, fine love, what is your response?
Oh baby, oh baby.
Oh, darling
All right, baby, what'd I say?
Okay sweetheart, tell me
Baby, what'd I say?
Lovely one, what are your thoughts?
Oh, all right, yeah.
Oh, okay, I see
Baby, what'd I say?
My dear, what did I just say?
Yeah, what'd I say?
Yes, what did I mean?
Baby, what'd I say?
Honey, did you understand my words?
Baby, what'd I say?
Pretty one, please tell me your reaction
Oh, what'd I say?
Oh, what meaning did I convey?
Baby, what'd I say?
My love, please share your thoughts with me
Ah well, ah hey, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Well then, hey, yes, yes, yes
Hey, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hello, yes, yes, yes, yes
All right, baby.
Okay my dear
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAY CHARLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind