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.
Walkin' By Myself
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just walk to be your lovin' man
I love you, yes, I love you with all my heart and soul
I wouldn't mistreat you for my weight in gold
You know I love you, you know it's true
Give you all my lovin', what more can I do
I just walk to be your lovin' man
You know I love you, you know it's true
Give you all my, what more can I do
I'm walkin' by myself, I hope you'll understand
I just walk to be your lovin' man
Yeah, I just walk to be your lovin' man
Try again now
"Walkin' by Myself" is a love song that has a simple yet profound message. The lyrics express the singer's desire to be with the woman he loves and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make her happy. The opening lines, "Walkin' by myself, I hope you'll understand, I just walk to be your lovin' man," suggest that the singer has decided to take matters into his own hands and walk to her doorstep to prove his love. He wants to show her that he is willing to be independent, to make an effort for their relationship, and to serve as her faithful partner and friend.
The chorus "You know I love you, you know it's true, Give you all my lovin', what more can I do" expresses his sentiments towards his love. He is committed and sincere in his intentions, declaring his love with each passing moment. As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes his devotion to the woman, assuring her that he would never mistreat her for anything. This line "I love you, yes, I love you with all my heart and soul, I wouldn't mistreat you for my weight in gold" gives a sense of deep affection and respect for her.
In summary, "Walking By Myself" showcases a man's dedication and love for his partner. The song has a straightforward and passionate message and is an excellent example of blues rock.
Line by Line Meaning
Walkin' by myself, I hope you'll understand
I am alone, but it's not because I want to be. I hope you can see that I am trying to win your heart and affection.
I just walk to be your lovin' man
I am doing everything in my power to show you how much I care. Even if it means walking alone and fighting to prove my love.
I love you, yes, I love you with all my heart and soul
You are the one I want, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make you mine. My love for you runs deep, and nothing can change that.
I wouldn't mistreat you for my weight in gold
I will always treat you with love and kindness. Your worth to me is more valuable than all the riches in the world.
You know I love you, you know it's true
I hope that you can feel the love I have for you radiating from my every move. It's real, and it's here to stay.
Give you all my lovin', what more can I do
I am giving you everything I have, pouring my heart and soul into trying to make this work. I am committed to being the best partner you have ever had.
Yeah, I just walk to be your lovin' man
No matter how hard it gets, no matter how far apart we may be, I will always be walking towards you with my heart on my sleeve. All I want is to be the person you choose to love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James Lane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ilias Petrou
Big big respect to Jon Paris the bass man, a true musician!
bluesrocker79
Yes,indeed. What talent! I have no idea how he could play lead on the harp and rhythm on the bass at the same time. My brain would never be able to work that way.
Rick Mayhew
@bluesrocker79 Playing bass and harp at the same time is maybe one of the hardest human feats to accomplish.
Himothy
he can play guitar too, theres a video where he and johnny plays "dont take advantage of me" and they switch instruments mid way through the song. it honestly surprised me that he sounded that good on a a guitar
Bill Ridge
I've seen Jon Paris
Show up with a strat
On his back , his bass
Up front and his harp
Kit around his neck.
What a freak!
plsheaf
I first discovered Johnny in 1973, I remember watching this on the old grey whistle test in 79, It still thrills me as much today as it did then. Shame he doesn't come over to the UK very often, I've seen him live twice and I would love to see him again. He never disappoints!
Edward Goering
I saw him right before his Last Tour in Europe at Weinburg Center in Frederick Maryland in 2012 It surprised me he had to have help walking to His Chair saw him in 85 Seagull Inn Essex Md I liked it best when he worked with Muddy Waters 78-83
Chris Franke
My favorite bluesman of all time!
Rose Marie Rizzo
Not only talent but charisma, he has!
Steve Swamp
Man I love that sound