Taylor was born as Cora Walton on a farm just outside Memphis, Tennessee. In 1954, Taylor left Memphis for Chicago with her husband, truck driver Robert "Pops" Taylor. In the late 1950s she began singing in Chicago blues clubs and was spotted by Willie Dixon in 1962, leading to wider performances and her first recording contract. In 1965, Taylor was signed by Chess Records, for which her single Wang Dang Doodle (written by Dixon, and a hit for Howlin' Wolf five years earlier) became a major hit, reaching number four on the R&B charts in 1966 and selling a million copies. Taylor recorded many versions of this Dixon-penned song over the past several decades and added more material, both original and covers, but never repeated that initial chart success.
National touring in the late 1960s and early 1970s improved her fan base, and she became accessible to a wider record-buying public when she signed with Alligator Records in 1975. Recording over a dozen albums for that label (many nominated for Grammy awards), she came to dominate the female blues singer ranks, winning 24 W. C. Handy Awards -- more than any other artist. After her recovery from a near-fatal car crash in 1989, the 1990s found Taylor in movies such as Blues Brothers 2000. She opened a blues club on Division St. in Chicago in 1994, but closed it in 1999. Taylor released a new album in 2007 called "Old School."
Koko Taylor influenced such musicians as Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, Shannon Curfman, and Susan Tedeschi.
Koko Taylor died on the afternoon of June 3rd 2009 (at the age of 80), while recovering from surgery to repair gastrointestinal bleeding. Koko Taylor is still referred to by fellow blues musicians and her fans as the "Queen of the Blues".
Bills Bills And More Bills
Koko Taylor Lyrics
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Bills, bills, bills and more bills
And when you think your bills are through
Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bills for my car, I got bills for my clothes
If I don't pay soon I'm gonna be outdoors
Bills for my men, I got bills for my shoes
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
And when you think your bills are through
Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Went to my friend the other day
I said I can't do a thing, I got bills to pay
A bill for my furniture, I got a bill for my gas
A bill for my light, how long can it last?
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
And when you think your bills are through
Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bill for my watch, I got bill for my ring
So many bills I can't do a thing
A bill for my man, I got bills for my honey
I can't get income upon my alimony
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
And when you think your bills are through
Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
I got bills
Bills
I got bills, bills, bills...
Koko Taylor's song "Bills Bills And More Bills" touches on the theme of financial hardship and the struggle to make ends meet. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and helplessness that comes with being overwhelmed by the sheer number of bills that need to be paid. The repetition of the phrase "bills, bills, bills, and more bills" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the situation.
The verse "And when you think your bills are through, Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you" highlights the additional burden of taxes and government fees that add to an already difficult situation. The second verse points out the specific bills the singer is struggling to pay, including bills for furniture, gas, light, and clothing. The final verse highlights a particularly harsh reality of financial difficulty - the inability to make money even after a divorce settlement has been reached, as alimony payments leave little room for additional income.
Line by Line Meaning
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
I am burdened by the weight of numerous unpaid bills that keep piling up.
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
There seems to be no end to the continuous stream of bills that keep coming my way.
And when you think your bills are through
Just when I think I have paid off all my bills, there is always a new one waiting for me.
Uncle Sam is right there waitin' on you
Not only do I have to worry about my regular bills, but the government is also on my case for taxes owed.
Bills for my car, I got bills for my clothes
My expenses are not limited to just rent or utilities, but also include bills for my car and clothing.
If I don't pay soon I'm gonna be outdoors
If I do not make payments soon, I am at risk of losing my means of shelter and becoming homeless.
Bills for my men, I got bills for my shoes
Even basic necessities like shoes and personal hygiene come with their own price tags and bills to pay.
So many bills, I don't know what to do
The sheer number of bills I have to pay is overwhelming and I feel helpless and lost.
Went to my friend the other day
I reached out to a friend in hopes of finding some financial assistance or advice.
I said I can't do a thing, I got bills to pay
I am unable to take any significant action in my life because all my finances are tied up in outstanding bills.
A bill for my furniture, I got a bill for my gas
Even possessions like furniture and gas for my home come with their own price tags and bills to pay.
A bill for my light, how long can it last?
Even basic utilities like electricity come with their own bills, and I worry about how long I can continue to pay for them.
Bill for my watch, I got bill for my ring
Even small luxuries like jewelry and watches come with their own price tags and bills to pay.
A bill for my man, I got bills for my honey
Even my relationships come with their own expenses and financial burdens that I have to deal with.
I can't get income upon my alimony
Even though I receive alimony payments, they are not enough to cover all my bills and I am struggling financially.
I got bills, bills, bills and more bills
Despite my best efforts, my financial situation remains bleak and I am unable to escape the shackles of unpaid bills.
Bills, bills, bills and more bills
The constant barrage of bills represents a never-ending cycle of debt and anxiety that I cannot escape from.
Writer(s): Willie Dixon
Contributed by William B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.