Katie Webster (born Kathryn Jewel Thorne, 11 January 1936 – 5 September 199… Read Full Bio ↴Katie Webster (born Kathryn Jewel Thorne, 11 January 1936 – 5 September 1999) was an American boogie-woogie pianist. Her place of birth is listed as Houston, Texas.

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.

Two Fisted Mama
Katie Webster Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

i'm a 2 fisted mama you better watch out for me
i'm gonna rock you rboogie woogie
i'm gonna shake your keys
i'm a 2 fisted mama just you wait and see
dont' try and cut me or give me no mess
cuz i've messed up the best
i'm a 2 fisted mama
ain't like all the rest

i learned how to boogie woogie
when i was just a child
i playin that texas shiffle
used to drive my mother wild
she said plyin blues piano wasn't proper for a girl but hese 2 fists of mine
took me all over the world
i taught this old piano how to shake rattle and roll

i took the blues from houston texas and gave the world my soul
i'm a 2 fisted mama you just grab a hold

Overall Meaning

Katie Webster's "Two Fisted Mama" is a song that portrays the singer's empowered and confident personality. She proclaims herself as a "two fisted mama," indicating she is tough and unyielding. She warns others to watch out for her boogie woogie, and she'll shake their keys with her powerful piano playing. She acknowledges her fearless attitude, indicating that she's not to be messed with or underestimated, as she has already proved her mettle by taking on the world with her 2 fists.

The song reflects her life's journey from a young girl in Texas to someone who has traveled the world and made a name for herself as a blues pianist. Katie Webster learned how to play boogie woogie when she was a child, which caused her mother to fret that it wasn't ladylike. However, she persisted and honed her skills to become a legendary musician. She took the blues from her hometown of Houston, Texas, and shared it with the world, giving them her soul.

Line by Line Meaning

i'm a 2 fisted mama you better watch out for me
I am a strong and capable woman, and you should beware of crossing me.

i'm gonna rock you rboogie woogie
I am going to play some high-energy boogie woogie music that will get you dancing.

i'm gonna shake your keys
I am going to play the piano so energetically that the keys will vibrate and shake.

i'm a 2 fisted mama just you wait and see
My skill and power as a piano player will impress and surprise you.

dont' try and cut me or give me no mess
Don't try to undermine me or cause me problems, as I won't tolerate it.

cuz i've messed up the best
I have defeated and outplayed some of the best musicians out there.

i'm a 2 fisted mama
I am a talented and powerful piano player who commands respect.

ain't like all the rest
I am not a typical woman, and I do not fit stereotypes of femininity or fragility.

i learned how to boogie woogie
I started playing boogie woogie music when I was young and developed my skill over time.

when i was just a child
I began playing piano at a young age.

i playin that texas shiffle
I became skillful at playing the Texas shuffle, a style of blues piano music popular in Texas.

used to drive my mother wild
My mother disapproved of my playing this style of music and was often upset by it.

she said plyin blues piano wasn't proper for a girl but hese 2 fists of mine
Despite my mother's objections, I continued to play because I knew I had the talent and drive to succeed.

took me all over the world
My skill as a piano player has taken me to many places and given me many opportunities.

i taught this old piano how to shake rattle and roll
Through my playing, I have given life and energy to this old piano.

i took the blues from houston texas and gave the world my soul
I have combined the music of my hometown of Houston, Texas with my own unique style to create something new and powerful.

i'm a 2 fisted mama you just grab a hold
If you want to experience my music and my energy, just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Lyrics © ALLIGATOR RECRDS/EYEBALL MUSIC
Written by: BRUCE IGLAUER, KATHRYN JEWEL THORNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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