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".
I'M A WOMAN
Koko Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah
Everything, everthing, everything gone be alright
Oh yeah
When I was a little girl
Only twelve years old
Couldn't do nothing to save my dog gone soul
My mama told me the day I was grown
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crocodile
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
Spell w o uma n
Oh yeah
That means I'm grown
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I know my stuff
I'm a woman, I ain't never had enough
I'm going down yonder, behind the sun
I'm gonna do something for you, that ain't never been done
I'm gonna hold back the lightning, with the palm of my hand
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crcodile
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
Oh oh oh I'm a woman
The song “I’m a Woman” by Koko Taylor is a powerful and empowering statement. The song reminds women of their strength and capabilities with lines like “I’m a woman, I can cut stone with a pin” and “I’m a woman, I can make love to a crocodile”. The lyrics also speak to the struggles faced by women in society. The opening lines of the song, “When I was a little girl, only twelve years old, couldn't do nothing to save my doggone soul” suggests that the struggle for women starts at a very young age. This is reinforced later in the song with “My mama told me the day I was grown, she says 'Sing the blues child, Sing it from now on'” indicating that women have to learn how to deal with challenges from an early age.
The song is also an anthem of self-worth and self-acceptance as the artist spells the word woman and says “that means I’m grown”. It asserts that women should embrace their strength and not let others hold them back. The song ends with Koko Taylor declaring that she will “hold back the lightning, with the palm of my hand” and “shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand” emphasizing the strength and power that women possess.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Expressing confidence and excitement.
Everything, everthing, everything gone be alright
Assurance that everything will eventually turn out well.
When I was a little girl Only twelve years old Couldn't do nothing to save my dog gone soul
Narrating a period when she was helpless and powerless.
My mama told me the day I was grown She says "Sing the blues child, Sing it from now on".
Advice received from her mother, to sing the blues and express her feelings.
I'm a woman, oh yeah
Asserting her femininity and strength.
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
Expressing her energy and dynamic personality.
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crocodile
Boasting about her ability to handle anything and everything.
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
Reiterating the advice from her mother and showcasing her talent.
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
Confident in her ability to inspire change and make a difference.
Spell w o uma n Oh yeah That means I'm grown
Indicating her maturity and growth as a person.
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
Comparing herself to a powerful force of nature.
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
Boasting about how she can accomplish the seemingly impossible.
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
Proud of her sensuality and ability to create intimacy.
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
Asserting her ability to make a big impact.
I'm going down yonder, behind the sun I'm gonna do something for you, that ain't never been done
Promising to do something extraordinary and unprecedented.
I'm gonna hold back the lightning, with the palm of my hand Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
Using vivid imagery to convey her strength and power.
I'm a woman, oh yeah
Reiterating her previous statements about her identity and strength.
I'm a woman, I ain't never had enough
Never satisfied and always seeking more.
Oh oh oh I'm a woman
Affirming her identity with enthusiasm.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ellas McDaniel, Koko Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rafaelssantos1
Letras
Oh yeah
Oh yeah
Everything, everthing, everything gone be alright
Oh yeah
When I was a little girl
Only twelve years old
Couldn't do nothing to save my dog gone soul
My mama told me the day I was grown
She says "Sing the blues child, Sing it from now on".
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crocodile
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
Spell w o uma n
Oh yeah
That means I'm grown
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I know my stuff
I'm a woman, I ain't never had enough
I'm going down yonder, behind the sun
I'm gonna do something for you, that ain't never been done
I'm gonna hold back the lightning, with the palm of my hand
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crcodile
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
Oh oh oh I'm a woman
Compositores: Ellas McDaniel / Koko Taylor
Letra de I'm a Woman © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management
@Dinalaylow
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
Everything, everything, everything gonna be all right
Oh, yeah
When I was a little girl, only twelve years old
I couldn't do nothing to save my doggone soul
My mama told me the day I was grown
She said, "sing the blues, child
"Sing it from now on"
I'm a woman, oh, yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crocodile
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, change old to new
Spelled W-O-M-A-N, oh, yeah
That means I'm grown
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
Hey!
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I know my stuff
I'm a woman, I ain't never had enough
I'm going down yonder, behind the sun
Gonna do something for you, ain't never been done
I'm gonna hold back the lightning with the palm of my hand
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I'm a woman, oh, yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, make love to a crocodile
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
I'm a woman
@papaldanondo
O si o si
Todo todo
Todo ha ido bien
Oh si.
Cuando era una niña pequeña,
solo doce años
No pude hacer nada
para salvar a mi perro alma perdida
Mi mamá me contó el día que crecí.
Ella dice: "Canta el niño del blues,
cantalo de ahora en adelante ".
Soy una mujer oh si
Soy mujer, soy bola de fuego.
Soy mujer, puedo hacerle el amor a un cocodrilo.
Soy una mujer, puedo cantar el blues.
Soy mujer, puedo cambiar de vieja a nueva.
Hechizo W O M A N, oh, sí
Eso significa que he crecido
Soy una mujer, soy un viento apresurado.
Soy mujer, puedo cortar piedra con un alfiler.
Soy mujer, soy creadora de amor.
Soy una mujer, sabes que soy una coctelera.
Soy una mujer, soy un viento apresurado.
Soy mujer, puedo cortar piedra con un alfiler.
Soy una mujer, sé mis cosas
Soy una mujer, nunca he tenido suficiente.
Me voy abajo, detrás del sol.
Voy a hacer algo por ti,
nunca se ha hecho
Voy a contener el rayo,
con la palma de mi mano
Estrechar la mano del diablo
hazlo arrastrarse en la arena.
Soy una mujer oh si
Soy mujer, soy bola de fuego.
Soy mujer, puedo hacerle el amor a un cocodrilo.
Soy mujer, soy creadora de amor.
Soy una mujer, sabes que soy una coctelera.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, soy una mujer.
@berhanesenay222
oh yeah
oh yeah
everything, everthing, everything gone be alright
oh yeah
When I was a little girl
Only twelve years old
Couldn't do nothing to save my dog gone soul
My mama told me the day I was grown
She says "Sing the blues child, Sing it from now on".
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crocodile
I'm a woman, I can sing the blues
I'm a woman, I can change old to new
Spell w o uma n
Oh yeah
That means I'm grown
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
I'm a woman, I'm a rushing wind
I'm a woman, I can cut stone with a pin
I'm a woman, I know my stuff
I'm a woman, I ain't never had enough
I'm going down yonder, behind the sun
I'm gonna do something for you, that ain't never been done
I'm gonna hold back the lightning, with the palm of my hand
Shake hands with the devil, make him crawl in the sand
I'm a woman, oh yeah
I'm a woman, I'm a ball of fire
I'm a woman, I can make love to a crcodile
I'm a woman, I'm a love maker
I'm a woman, you know I'm an earth shaker
oh oh oh I'm a woman
@jessicablack9852
This is the energy I'm taking in to 2020...
@criticalthinking6929
Jessica Black Yaaaaaassss😆
@lunasea4309
yes!
@hammerhead5234
Jessica, You should. NUFF SAID. 🍺🍺🍺
@ladylpeacock3355
Agreed...
@rachaelreece5695
It's been took.. 2020. 😊
@rebeccaadams3349
I'm from the 70's and never heard this before the Cosby show, but I'm hooked now. It doesn't matter where you first heard something so amazing. What matters is how you appreciate it. I'm truly disappointed that I will never have the chance to see her perform. Every song this woman sang was pure gold!
@masteranaya347
I am Mexican and I greatly admire the talent of my country, but I must admit that the voice and talent of Koko Taylor the queen of the blues is unparalleled and it will live forever not only in the USA but in the whole world Koko Taylor simply the best❤👍
@urfavjaay
Thank you! She’s my aunt!
@abbleadee
@@urfavjaaylucky you have that legacy in your family. We love Koko ..🎉