She is acknowledged as one of the most important blues artists of her generation.
Webster was initially best known as a session musician behind Louisiana musicians on the Excello and Goldband record labels, such as Lightnin' Slim and Lonesome Sundown. She also played piano with Otis Redding in the 1960s, but after his death, went into semi-retirement. During her career, she was duet partner to many stars, among them B. B. King, Robert Cray and Rockin' Sidney. Her long professional relationship with the Alligator Records label is also worthy of noting.
In the 1980s, she was repeatedly booked for European tours and recorded albums for the German record label, Ornament Records. She cut You Know That's Right with the band Hot Links, and the album that established her in the United States; The Swamp Boogie Queen with guest spots by Bonnie Raitt and Robert Cray. She performed at both the San Francisco Blues Festival and Long Beach Blues Festival.
Webster suffered a stroke in 1993 while touring Greece and returned to performing the following year. She died from heart failure in League City, Texas, in September 1999.
After You Get Rid of Me
Katie Webster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know I know I know I know
There's things he'd like to know
About the girl I love so.
'Cause after all is said and done
You wont be satisfied with anyone
So after you get rid of me
Chorus:
Will he believe all those lies
End up like me with tears in his eyes
I know, I know, I know, I know
And I'd like to be the one to tell that other woman so.
'Cause after all is said and done
You wont be satisfied with anyone
So after you get rid of me
Who will the next fool be?
--- Instrumental ---
Chorus:
Will she believe all those lies
End up like me with tears in his eyes
I know, I know, I know, I know
And I'd like to be the one to tell that other woman so.
'Cause after all is said and done
You wont be satisfied with anyone
So after you get rid of me
Who will the next fool be?
Lord, after you get rid of me
Who will the next fool be?..
Katie Webster's song "After You Get Rid of Me" is a poignant reflection on the aftermath of a relationship, and the painful realization that the one you love may move on to hurt another. The lyrics speak to the singer's understanding that, despite the end of their relationship, the person they loved may continue to pursue others, leaving a trail of heartache in their wake. The song opens with the line "After you get rid of me - who will the next fool be," in which the singer questions who will be the next person to fall victim to their former lover's charms.
The singer goes on to express their desire to warn the next person of the pain that will come, singing "And I'd like to be the one to tell that other woman so." They acknowledge that the person they loved will not be satisfied with anyone and that their deceitful and destructive actions will continue. The chorus reinforces the singer's belief that their former love interest will continue to deceive, and that another will suffer as they have.
The instrumental section of the song provides a moment of reflection before the chorus is repeated for the final time, ending with the poignant line "Lord, after you get rid of me, who will the next fool be?" Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the complexities of love, loss, and the impact that our actions can have on others.
Line by Line Meaning
After you get rid of me - who will the next fool be
Once you leave me, who will be the next person you deceive and use?
I know I know I know I know
I am fully aware of your unfaithfulness and tendency to manipulate others.
There's things he'd like to know
The next person you target would want to know about the girl you claim to love.
About the girl I love so.
You use the guise of love to manipulate and deceive others, but who is the target of your supposed love?
Cause after all is said and done
Regardless of what you say or do, the truth of your unfaithfulness will come to light.
You wont be satisfied with anyone
You will continue to use and deceive others, as you can never be content with what you have.
So after you get rid of me
Once you dispose of me, you will move on to your next victim.
Will he believe all those lies
Will the next person fall for your lies and manipulation as I did?
End up like me with tears in his eyes
Will the next person be left heartbroken and in tears, just as I was?
And I'd like to be the one to tell that other woman so.
I desire to be the one to warn the next victim of your deceit and protect them from the pain I suffered.
Lord, after you get rid of me
Once you are done with me and move on to someone else.
Who will the next fool be?
Who will be the unfortunate person you manipulate and deceive next?
Lyrics © ALLIGATOR RECRDS/EYEBALL MUSIC
Written by: KATHRYN JEWEL THORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind