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.
You Keep Sayin' That You're Leavin'
Johnny Winter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's true I'll help you pack
You keep saying that you're leavin'
If it's true I'll help you pack
You keep saying that you're leaving
Girl I swear I don't know whyYou keep saying that you're leaving
Girl I swear I don't know why
But it just seems that you don't even try
Oh down the line you're gonna pay
This is just what I remember. Piece of cake to find the rest.
In Johnny Winter's song "You Keep Sayin' That You're Leavin'," the lyrics convey a sense of frustration, confusion, and resignation in a failing relationship. The repetition of the phrase "You keep saying that you're leaving" highlights the constant threat of the partner's departure. The singer expresses his willingness to assist in the leaving process if it's true, indicating a level of acceptance towards the possibility of their separation.
The lyrics further emphasize the singer's confusion, as he admits not understanding the reasons behind his partner's repeated claims to leave. He asserts that he has done everything within his power to make her happy, but it seems like her efforts in the relationship are lacking. This statement suggests a feeling of disappointment and the realization that despite his efforts, the relationship may be beyond repair.
The line "Oh down the line you're gonna pay" suggests a warning or a prediction that at some point in the future, the partner will face consequences for their actions. It can be interpreted as a cautionary phrase issued in response to the repeated threats of leaving, indicating that the singer believes there will be consequences or regrets for the partner in the long run.
Overall, the lyrics of "You Keep Sayin' That You're Leavin'" portray a tumultuous relationship where one partner constantly threatens to leave, leaving the singer confused and resigned to the possibility of their separation.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep saying that you're leavin'
You repeatedly express the intention to depart from our relationship
If it's true I'll help you pack
If your departure is indeed genuine, I am willing to assist you in preparing your belongings
Girl I swear I don't know why
My sincere declaration, my dear, is that I am truly perplexed as to the reason behind your repeated statements
I've done everything a man can do to make you happy
I have exhaustively undertaken all possible actions within my capacity as a man in order to bring you joy
But it just seems that you don't even try
However, it appears evident to me that you are not putting forth any effort in return
Oh down the line you're gonna pay
In the future, consequences shall befall you as a result of your behavior
This is just what I remember. Piece of cake to find the rest.
These lyrics mentioned so far are only what I recall from the song. The remaining ones should be easy to locate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Johnny Winter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind