He was born John Ned Shines in Frayser, Tennessee. He spent most of his childhood in Memphis playing slide guitar at an early age in local “jukes” and for tips on the streets. His first musical influences were Blind Lemon Jefferson and Howlin’ Wolf, but he was taught to play the guitar by his mother. Shines moved to Hughes, Arkansas in 1932 and worked on farms for three years putting his musical career on hold. But it was a chance meeting with Robert Johnson, his greatest influence, that gave him the inspiration to return to music. In 1935, Johnny Shines began traveling with Robert Johnson, touring the south and heading as far north as Ontario. There, they both appeared on a local radio program. The two went their separate ways in 1937, one year before Johnson’s death.
Johnny Shines played throughout the U.S. South until 1941 when he decided to head back to Canada and then to Africa. He never made it past Chicago. In Chicago, Shines found work in the construction trade and continued to play in local bars.
He made his first recording in 1946 for Columbia Records, but the takes were never released. He later recorded for Chess and was once again denied. He kept playing with local blues musicians in the Chicago area for several more years. In 1952, Johnny Shines recorded what is considered his best work for the J.O.B. Records label. The recordings were a commercial flop and Shines frustrated with the music industry, sold his equipment and returned to construction.
In 1966, Vanguard records found Shines taking photographs in a Chicago blues club. He recorded with the label takes for the 3rd installment of Chicago/The Blues/Today!. The album has since then become a blues classic and it brought Johnny Shines into to mainstream music scene.
Shines toured with the Chicago All Stars alongside Lee Jackson, Big Walter Horton and Willie Dixon. In the late sixties and seventies, Johnny Shines toured with Robert Johnson’s step-son, Robert Junior Lockwood as the last remaining original delta blues musicians. In 1980, Shines’ music was brought to a standstill when he suffered a stroke. He would later appear in the documentary “Searching for Robert Johnson” and manage to release one last album, Back To The Country. Johnny Shines Died on April 20, 1992 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
In 1989, Johnny Shines met a Minnesota born young blues player named Kent Duchaine, and the two of them toured for the next several years until Shines' death.
Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
Johnny Shines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Here′s your daddy now
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Here's your daddy now
Ole bebop
Told King Tut
Can′t stop re-bop
Keep your big mouth shut
I said hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Here's your daddy now
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Here's your daddy now
The lyrics to Johnny Shines's song "Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" describe a lively and playful scene with repeated mentions of "Ba-ba-re-bop" and the arrival of the "daddy" figure. The song is written in a style that is reminiscent of the bebop genre, with its emphasis on improvisation and complex rhythms.
The repeated chorus of "Hey Ba-ba-re-bop" serves as a sort of mantra or rallying cry, encouraging listeners to join in and let loose. The arrival of the "daddy" figure is an interesting addition to the song, as it suggests a feeling of security and comfort in the midst of all the chaos. It's as if the arrival of the daddy figure signals a moment of respite and stability in an otherwise frenzied environment.
The lyrics also touch upon the history of bebop, with mentions of "Old bebop" and "King Tut" as well as the line "Can't stop re-bop, keep your big mouth shut." These lyrics hint at the rebellious and countercultural nature of bebop music and the opposition it faced from more traditional forms of jazz.
Overall, "Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" is a joyful celebration of music and the freedom it provides to its listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey hey, Ba-ba-re-bop
Hello and welcome to this upbeat, lively musical style known as Ba-ba-re-bop
Here's your daddy now
The person responsible for bringing this awesome music to you has arrived
Ole bebop
This is another way of saying 'old-school bebop,' referring to an earlier style of jazz
Told King Tut
This is a playful reference to the ancient Egyptian pharaoh, as if to say that even someone from so long ago would appreciate this music
Can't stop re-bop
This music is unstoppable and can't be contained - it's too fun and lively
Keep your big mouth shut
This is a bit of advice to anyone who might not appreciate or enjoy the music - they should keep quiet and let others enjoy it
Writer(s): Curley Hamner, Lionel Hampton
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank DeMaio
Lovin some Johnny Shines