Johnny Winter, along with his brother Edgar Winter, were nurtured at an early age by their parents in musical pursuits. Both he and his brother, who were born with albinism, began performing at an early age. When he was ten-years old, Winter appeared on a local children's show, playing ukelele and singing Everly Brothers songs with his brother.
His recording career began at the age of fifteen, when his band Johnny and the Jammers released "School Day Blues" on a Houston record label. During this same period, he was able to see performances by classic blues artists such as Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Bobby Bland. In the early days Winter would sometimes sit in with Roy Head and The Traits when they performed in the Beaumont, Texas area, and in 1967, Winter recorded a single with The Traits: "Tramp" backed with "Parchman Farm" (Universal Records 30496). In 1968, he released his first album The Progressive Blues Experiment, on Austin's Sonobeat Records.
Winter caught his biggest break in December 1968, when Mike Bloomfield, whom he met and jammed with in Chicago, invited him to sing and play a song during a Bloomfield and Al Kooper concert at the Fillmore East in New York. As it happened, representatives of Columbia Records (which had released the Top Ten Bloomfield/Kooper Super Session album) were at the concert. Winter played and sang B.B. King's "It's My Own Fault" to loud applause and, within a few days, was signed to reportedly what was then the largest advance in the history of the recording industry–$600,000.
Winter's first Columbia album, Johnny Winter was recorded and released in 1969. It featured the same backing musicians with whom he recorded The Progressive Blues Experiment, bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Uncle John Turner, plus Edgar Winter on keyboards and saxophone, and (for his "Mean Mistreater") blues legends Willie Dixon on upright bass and Big Walter Horton on harmonica. The album featured a few selections that became Winter signature songs, including his composition "Dallas" (an acoustic blues, on which Winter played a steel-bodied, resonator guitar), John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl", and B.B. King's "Be Careful With A Fool".
The album's success coincided with Imperial Records picking up The Progressive Blues Experiment for wider release. The same year, the Winter trio toured and performed at several rock festivals, including Woodstock. With brother Edgar added as a full member of the group, Winter also recorded his second album, Second Winter in Nashville in 1969. The two-record album, which only had three recorded sides (the fourth was blank), introduced a couple more staples of Winter's concerts, including Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited".
In 1984, Winter began recording for several labels, including Alligator Records and Point Blank Records, where he has focused on blues-oriented material. He continues to perform live, including festivals throughout North America and Europe. Winter has headlined such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Swedish Rock Fest, Warren Haynes X-mas jam, and Europe’s Rockpalast. He also performed with the Allman Brothers at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on the 40th anniversary of their debut. In 2007 and 2010, Winter performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals. Two guitar instructional DVDs have been produced by Cherry Lane Music and the Hal Leonard Corporation. The Gibson Guitar Company released the signature Johnny Winter Firebird guitar in a ceremony in Nashville with Slash presenting.
In 2004, Winter received a Grammy nomination for his I’m a Bluesman album. Backing him are guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and drummer Vito Liuzzi. Beginning in 2007, a series of live Winter albums titled the Live Bootleg Series and a live DVD have all entered the Top 10 Billboard Blues charts. In 2009, The Woodstock Experience album was released, which includes eight songs that Winter performed at the 1969 festival. Johnny Winter is signed to Megaforce Records, who will release a new studio album titled Roots on September 27, 2011. It will include Winter's interpretation of eleven early blues and rock 'n' roll classics and feature several guest artists.
Winter produced three Grammy Award-winning albums by Muddy Waters, Hard Again (1977), I'm Ready (1978), and Muddy "Mississippi" Waters – Live (1979). Several Winter albums were also nominated for Grammy Awards. In 1980, Winter was on the cover of the first issue of Guitar World and in 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame.
Everybody
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I'm going to the city
Just to see what I can find
Got to get me somebody
I got the same thing on my mind
Got the same thing on my mind
Oh yeah, I do
But I'm horny as I can be
Been a long time comin' baby
Better come get some of me
Better come get some of me, yeah
No I can't stay in the East, man
And I sure don't like the West
I can't stand the North and South boys
But I sure love all the West
No I'm on the West
Yeah, I dig it man
I got women in California
Man, in New York and between
It's a full time operation
Trying to keep my business clean
Trying to keep my business clean now
I'm about to get straight folks
I'm workin' on it now
The lyrics of "Everybody" by Johnny Winter are about his journey to a new city in search of love and companionship. The artist expresses his longing for a partner by emphasizing that he wants the "same thing on my mind," and how he is feeling "horny as I can be." Winter is not comfortable living in the eastern, northern, and southern regions of the US but is having a positive experience living in the West because he loves the people and is surrounded by women. He explains how he maintains his relationships with women in California and New York, no matter where he is because it is a full-time operation, and he takes his business seriously.
Winter's lyrics convey his sexual desires and the care with which he engages in his relationships. The artist is not predatory or indiscriminate, and he speaks about his business, which implies that he views his relationships with a sense of responsibility. Additionally, the song reflects the time where free love, casual sex, and travel were characteristic of the counterculture era. The artist seeks love and sexual relations in whichever city he is, which can be explored through the lens of this time period's cultural and social norms.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ha ha ha)
The singer is laughing, indicating that they're having fun and not being too serious.
Well, I'm going to the city
The singer is going to a city, but it's unclear which one.
Just to see what I can find
The singer is going to the city with no specific plan or agenda.
Got to get me somebody
The artist is looking for a romantic partner.
I got the same thing on my mind
The artist is focused on finding someone to be with.
Got the same thing on my mind
The singer reemphasizes their desire for a romantic partner.
Oh yeah, I do
The singer confirms their previous statement.
I ain't tired, no, I ain't hungry
The artist isn't physically tired or hungry, but has a strong sexual desire.
But I'm horny as I can be
The artist has an intense sexual urge.
Been a long time comin' baby
The artist has likely been without sexual activity for an extended period of time.
Better come get some of me
The singer is inviting someone to engage in sexual activity with them.
Better come get some of me, yeah
The artist repeats the previous line for emphasis.
No I can't stay in the East, man
The singer can't stay in the eastern part of the United States.
And I sure don't like the West
The singer doesn't like the western United States either.
I can't stand the North and South boys
The singer doesn't like the Northern or Southern parts of the United States either.
But I sure love all the West
Despite the artist's previous statement, they actually enjoy the western part of the United States.
No I'm on the West
The artist is currently located in the western United States.
Yeah, I dig it man
The singer enjoys the western United States.
I got women in California
The singer has romantic partners located in California.
Man, in New York and between
The artist also has romantic partners located in New York and other locations in between California and New York.
It's a full time operation
The artist has to put effort and energy into maintaining their romantic relationships.
Trying to keep my business clean
The artist is attempting to keep their relationships honest and not deceive any of their partners.
Trying to keep my business clean now
The singer repeats the previous line for emphasis.
I'm about to get straight, folks
The artist is hoping to become more honest and transparent in their romantic relationships.
I'm workin' on it now
The singer is currently making an effort to address these issues in their relationships.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHNNY WINTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
Well, I'm going to the city
Just to see what I can find
Got to get me somebody
I got the same thing on my mind
Got the same thing on my mind
Oh yeah, I do
I ain't tired, no I ain't hungry
But I'm horny as I can be
Been a long time comin' baby
Better come get some of me
Better come get some of me, yeah
No I can't stay in the East, man
And I sure don't like the West
I can't stand the North and South boys
But I sure love all the West
No I'm on the West
Yeah, I dig it man
I got women in California
Man, in New York and between
It's a full time operation
Trying to keep my business clean
Trying to keep my business clean now
I'm about to get straight folks
I'm workin' on it now
GmJunky87
For some reason this song always stood out the most from that album. Has always been my favorite. Great song amazing artist!!
Stephen Reeds
Because it is the best.
Giants588
2nd Winter, tremendous album. I've been a Johnny Winter fan for almost 50 years, and I always thought this was his best album. But I have to admit, playing a Fender Telecaster out of a small amp on Progressive Blues at the age of 22 years old was also amazing. Progressive Blues came out in 1969, but Johnny recorded it at the Gaslight in 1966. A 22 year old kid with those chops and that hot raw tone, totally amazing!!!!!
Robert Schindehette
I bought Progressive Blues from the Columbia Record Club as a kid and that was my introduction to his playing. That LP is long gone but when Johnny played a gig in my town a few years before he passed I bought a CD of it for the concert and he autographed it for me. He was traveling around in a motor home and it was a small but very nice venue. I sat cross legged on carpet in front of a low stage where he sat on a chair and played his firebird. It was a really great experience and memory. I had this album too when it came out. Crazy 3 sided album. I always remembered I love everybody followed by I hate everybody. Funny stuff and a great version of Highway 61.
Geoff Snell
I don't know what other people feel is their favourite Winter song but this one pegs it for me
Gerard Berk
Me too
Dex
Rock me baby is mine ✌️
Rick Sivart
Geoff Snell ..first johnny song i ever heard...fell in love right away...i miss him. RIP Johnny. ..greatest guitarist to ever walk this earth
JGLB2012
greatest slide guitar ever? this particular recording IMHO!
Dave Lindsey
Dexter ... mine too, but this one is up there.