John Watson, Jr. was born February 3, 1935 in Houston, Texas. His father John Sr. was a pianist, and taught his son the instrument. But young Watson was immediately attracted to the sound of the guitar, in particular the electric guitar as practiced by the "axe men" of Texas: T-Bone Walker and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
His grandfather, a preacher, was also musical. "My grandfather used to sing while he'd play guitar in church, man," Watson reflected many years later. When Johnny was 11, his grandfather offered to give him a guitar if, and only if, the boy didn't play any of the "devil's music"--blues. Watson agreed, but "that was the first thing I did." A musical prodigy, Watson played with Texas bluesmen Albert Collins and Johnny Copeland.
His parents separated in 1950, when he was 15. His mother moved to Los Angeles, and took Johnny with her.
In his new city, Watson won several local talent shows. This led to his employment, while still a teenager, with Jump blues style bands such as Chuck Higgins's Mellotones and Amos Milburn. He worked as a vocalist, pianist, and guitarist.
He quickly made a name for himself in the African-American juke joints of the West Coast, where he was billed as "Young John Watson" until 1954. That year, he saw the Sterling Hayden film "Johnny Guitar," and a new handle was born.
He affected a swaggering, yet humorous personality, indulging a taste for flashy clothes and wild showmanship on stage. His attack resulted in him often needing to change the strings on his guitar once or twice a show, because he "stressified on them" so much, as he put it.
His seminal blues album "Gangster of Love" was recorded in 1953 or 54, and first released on Sam Cooke's Keen Records in 1957. It was not especially heralded at the time--the title song in particular was too fast, too raw, and too witty, especially compared to the likes of the then-kingpins of blues Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Watson's ferocious "Space Guitar" of 1954 pioneered guitar feedback and reverb. (He played it without a pick.) Watson would later influence a subsequent generation of white pop musicians, especially guitarists, who struggled to master the Hendrix-like complexity of Watson's technique.
He toured and recorded with good friend Larry Williams, as well as Little Richard, Don & Dewey, The Olympics, and Johnny Otis. He also played with Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert and George Duke. But as the fortunes of blues declined and the era of soul music ascended in the 1960s, Watson in his inimicable style transformed himself from a southern blues singer with a pompadour into an urban soul singer with a pimp hat. He went all out--gold teeth, broad-brimmed hats, fly suits, designer shades, and bling made him one of the most colorful figures in the West Coast funk circle.
He modified his music accordingly. LPs like "Ain't That a Bitch" and "Real Mother For Ya" were landmark recordings in 70's funk. (Watson appeared on the cover of "Real Mother For Ya" sitting in a soapbox Rolls-Royce pushed by his mother.) "Telephone Bill" (on "Love Jones," 1980) featured complex, rapid-fire lyrics that foreshadowed rap music. His subsequent LPs employed "the computer sound," and popularized it.
In his exhaustively researched book "Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke" (2005), Peter Guralnick claims that Watson was an actual pimp, as well as a performer! However, Watson felt "ambivalent" about macking girls, even though it paid better than music.
The shooting death of his friend Larry Williams in 1980 and other personal setbacks led to Watson briefly withdrawing from the spotlight in the Eighties. "I got caught up with the wrong people doing the wrong things," he was quoted as saying by the New York Times. Nevertheless, a series of summer appearances in France resulted in his becoming known there as the "Godfather of Funk."
The release of his album "Bow Wow" in 1994 brought Watson more visibility and chart success than he had ever known. The album received a Grammy nomination, and retrospective releases of his work showered him with critical acclaim.
In a 1994 interview with David Ritz for liner notes to "The Funk Anthology," Watson was asked if his 1980 song "Telephone Bill" anticipated rap music. "Anticipated?" Watson replied. "I damn well invented it!... And I wasn't the only one. Talking rhyming lyrics to a groove is something you'd hear in the clubs everywhere from Macon to Memphis. Man, talking has always been the name of the game. When I sing, I'm talking in melody. When I play, I'm talking with my guitar. I may be talking trash, baby, but I'm talking."
In 1995, he was given a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in a presentation and performance ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium.
His international bookings soared. Back home, his music was sampled by Ice Cube, Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige. He sometimes would enter the studio with rappers, at their request. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre borrowed P-Funk's adaptation of Watson's catchphrase "Bow Wow Wow yippi-yo yippi-yay" for Snoop's hit "What's My Name."
"Johnny was always aware of what was going on around him," recalled Susan Maier Watson (later to become the musician's wife) in an interview printed in the liner notes to the Collectables album "The Very Best of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson." "He was proud that he could change with the times and not get stuck in the past."
Watson died on stage May 17, 1996, while on tour in Yokohama, Japan. His remains were brought home for internment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Telephone Bill
Johnny 'Guitar' Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And in the meantime and in-between-time I'm down here on the ground.
But now, I'm not complainin' about what's pertainin' to my present status quo
About things gettin' hard, ooh, my God – inflation… I know you know. Listen:
Now just yesterday I'd like to say before I got on my bed.
Now I was already tired on the for-real side and a few bills I'd have got to pay…
Now my phone rang and a cute little girl began to sing this tune,
Now that came to me as no surprise, 'cause last week I went up the coast,
I met a cute little girl that was all the way live and callin' her I thought was the most!
She had them great big eyes and 'em great big legs and it gave my body a chill.
So, you know, I never thought about the cost and, no – a telephone bill!
So I just kept on rappin', my hands got clappin', havin' myself a ball,
Eh, ah – you know, it slipped my mind it was at the same time I was makin' a long distance call.
So that day before yesterday I ran into the problem just making them calls an hollers
And I picked up the envelope that contained my bill – guess what: 500 dollars!
Now, the next time I call this big-leg-cutie to make myself a date
I'm gonna call that girl way after nine and get me the evening rate!
Now, I ain't gonna tell her, shh, ain't gonna tell her nothin' to blow my frown thing,
But it'll be way, way, way after nine when she'll hear her telephone ring!
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
I said: ring it! Ring it! Have yourself a thrill!
And when you ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill!
Now I paid the bill and the deal was real and my talking resumed and all.
A, ah, I said: from now on, pal, I must stick to my local calls!
Now, a few weeks passed, and I would just guess – y-you know what I'm talkin' about –
I say, when I got the bill the figure was so low, I was impressed! Knock me out!
Now, shortly that after something stopped my laughter, I was upside diggin' in the yard,
Heard a “ding” and I heard a “dong” – it was the phone! Ooh, my Lord!
Say, I dropped my shovel and my body I levelled and I made me a 100-yard dash
And then I straightened up my clothes and I blew my nose through a kleenex in the trash.
I composed myself and I picked up the phone and I was still kinda huffin' and puffin'
And the operator said “would you accept a collect call?” – I said: “Ain't that nothin'?”
But, uh, I was just cool, 'cause, you know, I didn't wanna be no fool, and, see, I didn't know who it was –
It was the big-legged cutie from up off the coast tellin' me that she was in love!
Then, now, for three whole minutes I planned to talk – not now you all know I ain't never lied!
But, in love or not, I planned to stop when the third minute arrived!
I went three minutes past – it occured to me: ooh! She might talk a week!
I-I said: “I'm sorry, Baby, look, I gotta go!” – She was a telephone freak!
She said: “Oh, Johnny, talk a little longer! With you I'm so in love!”
I said: “I know, where you're comin' from, I can dig it! I gotta go rehearse at the club!”
She said: “Well, if you gotta go rehearse I'll call you later, there's some I gotta tell you what's on my mind!”
I said: “Well, yeah okay, Baby, you can call me back – anytime after nine!”
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
Why don't you ring it? Ring it? Ring that telephone?
And when you ring it, ring it, have yourself a thrill!
And ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill
In Telephone Bill, Johnny Guitar Watson laments about the high cost of long-distance calls in the days pre-cellphone plans (the song was recorded in 1977). He describes how he met a woman on the coast and was so smitten, he didn’t think about the cost of making long-distance calls to her. Then one day, he receives a $500 phone bill, and he decides to wait until after 9 pm to call her again and save money. Eventually, she calls him collect to confess her love, but he’s wary of running up another bill and rushes off the phone after three minutes.
The song captures a moment in time, when telephones and long-distance bills were very real concerns, and its humor and relatable sentiment make it a classic of R&B. It’s also an example of Watson’s signature blend of funk guitar, blues howls, and spoken-word verses, demonstrating why he was such a unique and respected artist of the era.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody rappin' and talkin' 'bout nothin' and makin' 'em sexy sounds
People are talking about meaningless things and making seductive sounds
And in the meantime and in-between-time I'm down here on the ground.
In the meantime, I'm struggling to keep up with my bills and debts
But now, I'm not complainin' about what's pertainin' to my present status quo
I'm not complaining about my current situation
About things gettin' hard, ooh, my God – inflation… I know you know.
I know you know that things are getting difficult due to inflation.
Now just yesterday I'd like to say before I got on my bed.
Yesterday, before going to bed, something happened.
Now I was already tired on the for-real side and a few bills I'd have got to pay…
I was already tired and I had some bills to pay.
Now my phone rang and a cute little girl began to sing this tune,
Then a woman called me and began singing on the phone.
She said: “Mr. Watson I'd like to inform you your phone is turned off at noon!”
She informed me that my phone was turned off due to non-payment
So that day before yesterday I ran into the problem just making them calls an hollers
The other day I had trouble making calls and sending messages.
And I picked up the envelope that contained my bill – guess what: 500 dollars!
I received a bill that was $500!
Now the next time I call this big-leg-cutie to make myself a date
The next time I wanted to call the woman I had met
I'm gonna call that girl way after nine and get me the evening rate!
I'll call her after 9 PM to get the lower rate!
I said: ring it! Ring it! Have yourself a thrill!
I said, 'Ring it!' and have fun, but be aware of your phone bill.
And when you ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill!
When you make a call, be aware of the cost.
Now I paid the bill and the deal was real and my talking resumed and all.
I paid the bill and got back to my regular life.
Now, a few weeks passed, and I would just guess – y-you know what I'm talkin' about –
A few weeks passed, and you probably know what happened.
She said: “Well, if you gotta go rehearse I'll call you later, there's some I gotta tell you what's on my mind!”
She said she had something to tell me and would call me back later.
I said: “Well, yeah okay, Baby, you can call me back – anytime after nine!”
I agreed to talk to her again, but only after 9 PM.
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
Let the phone ring!
And when you ring it, ring it, have yourself a thrill!
Have fun when you're making a call.
And ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill!
Don't forget about your phone bill when you're making calls!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHNNY GUITAR WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arjhendrix
__________________________________
Everybody rappin' and talkin' 'bout nothin' and makin' 'em sexy sounds
And in the meantime and in-between-time I'm down here on the ground.
But now, I'm not complainin' about what's pertainin' to my present status quo
About things gettin' hard, ooh, my God – inflation… I know you know. Listen:
Now just yesterday I'd like to say before I got on my bed.
Now I was already tired on the for-real side and a few bills I'd have got to pay…
Now my phone rang and a cute little girl began to sing this tune,
She said: “Mr. Watson I'd like to inform you your phone is turned off at noon!”
Now that came to me as no surprise, 'cause last week I went up the coast,
I met a cute little girl that was all the way live and callin' her I thought was the most!
She had them great big eyes and 'em great big legs and it gave my body a chill.
So, you know, I never thought about the cost and, no – a telephone bill!
So I just kept on rappin', my hands got clappin', havin' myself a ball,
Eh, ah – you know, it slipped my mind it was at the same time I was makin' a long distance call.
So that day before yesterday I ran into the problem just making them calls an hollers
And I picked up the envelope that contained my bill – guess what: 500 dollars!
Now, the next time I call this big-leg-cutie to make myself a date
I'm gonna call that girl way after nine and get me the evening rate!
Now, I ain't gonna tell her, shh, ain't gonna tell her nothin' to blow my frown thing,
But it'll be way, way, way after nine when she'll hear her telephone ring!
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
I said: ring it! Ring it! Have yourself a thrill!
And when you ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill!
Now I paid the bill and the deal was real and my talking resumed and all.
A, ah, I said: from now on, pal, I must stick to my local calls!
Now, a few weeks passed, and I would just guess – y-you know what I'm talkin' about –
I say, when I got the bill the figure was so low, I was impressed! Knock me out!
Now, shortly that after something stopped my laughter, I was upside diggin' in the yard,
Heard a “ding” and I heard a “dong” – it was the phone! Ooh, my Lord!
Say, I dropped my shovel and my body I levelled and I made me a 100-yard dash
And then I straightened up my clothes and I blew my nose through a kleenex in the trash.
I composed myself and I picked up the phone and I was still kinda huffin' and puffin'
And the operator said “would you accept a collect call?” – I said: “Ain't that nothin'?”
But, uh, I was just cool, 'cause, you know, I didn't wanna be no fool, and, see, I didn't know who it was –
It was the big-legged cutie from up off the coast tellin' me that she was in love!
Then, now, for three whole minutes I planned to talk – not now you all know I ain't never lied!
But, in love or not, I planned to stop when the third minute arrived!
I went three minutes past – it occured to me: ooh! She might talk a week!
I-I said: “I'm sorry, Baby, look, I gotta go!” – She was a telephone freak!
She said: “Oh, Johnny, talk a little longer! With you I'm so in love!”
I said: “I know, where you're comin' from, I can dig it! I gotta go rehearse at the club!”
She said: “Well, if you gotta go rehearse I'll call you later, there's some I gotta tell you what's on my mind!”
I said: “Well, yeah okay, Baby, you can call me back – anytime after nine!”
Ring it! Ring it! Ring that telephone!
Why don't you ring it? Ring it? Ring that telephone?
And when you ring it, ring it, have yourself a thrill!
And ring it, ring it: watch your phone bill
================================
@DeGrate-bb5bo
A rap with a light, humorous message, clearly spoken with no profanity, no racial epithets, no misogyny, all over a non-stop bass line and real musicians who have clearly paid attention to their craft. Mr. Watson, I presume that your talent was worthy of an honorary doctorate. To quote another of your gems, "Ta-ta you" for this one. Rest in musical peace.
@deeperfunkmcma1932
DeGrate1896 Thanks For Your Comment !!!
@moormello
the original rapping
@laraycoleman8864
Call me back after 9, ring it, ring it...
@NuevoLuck
Jeez gimme a break,its something different from a blues musician, but I doubt any blues musicians would have a problem with later rap stuff
@sevinatenine4444
Now this how you rap,rappers.👍👍👍👍
@G123G
don't sleep, he's playing everything too ❤
@deeperfunkmcma1932
G Thanks For Your Comment !!!
@jayskywalker5049
This shit is FUNKY and this dude's story lines are hilarious
@ssj3vegeta103
Never heard of this man until today. Been listen to him for the last few hours, I’m hooked. He was before my time but his sound is classic