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.
I'm Good
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm good, you know I'm good
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, you know you gotta knock on wood
I'm good in the morning, I'm good at night
I'm good in the evening when the sun is shining bright
I'm good, you know I'm good
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, I gotta knock on wood
The woman I'm loving, she long and she tall
When she starts loving she gives it all
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, Gotta knock on wood
Yes I'm good!
(Instrumental)
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
Whoah I'm good, you know I'm good
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, I gotta knock on wood
Yeah I'm good!
Y'all know I'm good
You gotta knock on wood
I'm so good...
The lyrics to Johnny Winter's song "I'm Good" are simple and repetitive, but they convey a message of confidence and self-assurance. Winter proclaims that he is "good" and that those around him should "knock on wood" to ensure his continued success. He repeats this mantra throughout the song, emphasizing his own abilities and reassuring himself and others of his talent and skill.
Winter also references his romantic partner in the song, describing her as "long and tall" and stating that she gives her all when it comes to love. This suggests that Winter is not only confident in his own abilities, but also secure in his relationship and the love that he shares with his partner.
Overall, the song is a celebration of self-assurance and confidence, with Winter proclaiming his own greatness and encouraging those around him to recognize it as well.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
I am confident and capable, and everyone around me is aware of it.
I'm good, you know I'm good
I am confident and capable, and you specifically are aware of it.
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, you know you gotta knock on wood
I am exceptionally good at what I do, to the point that you may need to knock on wood for luck to be on your side should you challenge me.
I'm good in the morning, I'm good at night
I perform well in any condition, whether it's early in the day or late at night.
I'm good in the evening when the sun is shining bright
Even in the evenings when the sun is out and the atmosphere is relaxed, I am still just as capable and confident.
The woman I'm loving, she long and she tall
I am in love with a woman who is statuesque and beautiful, with long legs and an impressive physical presence.
When she starts loving she gives it all
When this woman loves someone, she dedicates all of her emotions and passion towards them.
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
I am still confident and capable, regardless of the circumstances or the people around me.
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, Gotta knock on wood
Reiterating the idea that I am exceptionally good, so much so that you might need luck on your side to surpass me.
Yes I'm good!
There is no doubt in my mind, or anyone else's, of my abilities and success.
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
Again, reiterating the idea of my continued confidence and capabilities.
(Instrumental)
No lyrics, simply an instrumental break or solo.
I'm good, y'all know I'm good
Stressing once more of my capabilities, regardless of any situation.
Whoah I'm good, you know I'm good
Emphasizing that you specifically know of my abilities and expertise.
I'm so good, I'm so good, girl, I gotta knock on wood
The idea follows that I am so skilled and experienced, that any onlooker may need to wish for luck to match my level of success.
Yeah I'm good!
No question about it, I am excellent in all aspects of my work.
Y'all know I'm good
All those around me are fully aware of my talent and expertise.
You gotta knock on wood
This is a common phrase in American English that means to physically knock on a piece of wood for good luck. It is used here to emphasize the idea of my exceptionalism.
I'm so good...
Once again reiterating the idea that I am extremely skilled and successful in all arenas.
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Randy Richardson
As a kid my doctors nurse told me her son was a drummer & grew up playing in their garage w Johnny & Edgar Winter. As posted Johnny wasn't good he was GREAT
Kezza Kat
Thanks for sharing, mate. Cheers!
Mike Hiers
Kezza Kat you did a marvelous job with the video, showing Johnny Winter in his many shapes and forms through a 50 year career.. Saw him many times. As great an artist as he was starting in the 1960's, after he kicked heroin he achieved a transcendence in the early 80's that was a genius in his prime...all the Alligator recordings and the 4 Muddy Waters collaborations. A huge volume of Masterworks. You have good taste Kezza. Like your playlist, especially Ry Cooder :)
Kathy Warrick
Amen!
Kezza Kat
Thank you very much! And thanks for the info! That's great!
Audie Conrad
This album is stunning from the first to last note. Johnny at his absolute finest. Great recording and fidelity.
...and btw...imho Johnny was as good a vocalist as he was a guitarist. What a voice.
fitepits n bonfires
I still love this stuff ,and im 50yrs old rip johhnie ,we miss you man
Ville Maunu
I am 53 years old... started to listen JW 1983, still listening...have about 25 records of JW..
leo vermeiren
💚🎸😎
Alberto Ortega
🎸🔥☮️....eterno ....de Argentina 🇦🇷✌️👏