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".
Let the Good Times Roll
Koko Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You only live but once
And when you die you're done
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
I don′t care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll
Don't sit there mumblin′, talkin′ trash
You gotta spend some cash, and
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
I don't care if you′re young or old
Get in the groove, let the good times roll
Hey Mr. Landlord, lock up all the doors
When the police come
Tell 'em, the joint is closed
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
Don′t care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll
Hey tell everybody
Koko Taylor′s in town
I got a dollar and a quarter
Just rarin' to clown
But don't let nobody play me cheap
I got fifty cents more that I′m gonna keep, so
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
Don′t care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Don′t care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Let the good times roll
Don′t care if you're young or old
Get together, let the good times roll
"Let the Good Times Roll" by Koko Taylor is a song that celebrates the joy and freedom of living life to the fullest. The lyrics encourage everyone, regardless of age, to embrace the present moment and enjoy themselves. The song emphasizes the transient nature of life, reminding us that we only live once and when we die, it's all over.
The opening verse sets the tone for the song, urging everybody to have fun and seize the opportunity to let loose. The repeated refrain of "let the good times roll" serves as an anthem, affirming that age is irrelevant when it comes to experiencing joy and happiness. The lyrics suggest that having a good time often requires some level of spontaneity and willingness to spend money, rejecting a passive attitude of sitting around and complaining.
The song also contains a sense of rebelliousness and defiance, seen in the verse directed at the landlord. The singer urges the landlord to lock up all the doors to avoid interference from the police, signaling a desire to break free from societal constraints and enjoy life to the fullest.
Overall, "Let the Good Times Roll" is an uplifting and energizing song that encourages listeners to live in the present moment, embrace joy and celebrate life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, everybody, let's have some fun
Hey, everyone, let's enjoy ourselves
You only live but once
We only have one life
And when you die you're done
Life ends with death
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
Let's indulge in joyful moments, let them continue
I don't care if you're young or old
Age doesn't matter
Get together, let the good times roll
Unite and enjoy the happy moments
Don't sit there mumblin', talkin' trash
Don't just complain or speak negatively
If you wanna have a ball
If you want to have a great time
You gotta spend some cash, and
You need to spend some money
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
Let the joyful moments continue
I don't care if you're young or old
Age is not a concern
Get in the groove, let the good times roll
Get into the rhythm and enjoy the happy moments
Hey Mr. Landlord, lock up all the doors
Landlord, please secure all the entrances
When the police come
In case the police arrive
Tell 'em, the joint is closed
Inform them that the establishment is no longer open
Let the good times roll, let the good times roll
Keep the joyful moments coming
Don't care if you're young or old
Age is not a factor
Get together, let the good times roll
Come together and enjoy the happy times
Hey tell everybody
Spread the word to everyone
Koko Taylor's in town
Koko Taylor has arrived in town
I got a dollar and a quarter
I have one dollar and twenty-five cents
Just rarin' to clown
Eager to have fun and entertain
But don't let nobody play me cheap
Don't allow anyone to take advantage of me
I got fifty cents more that I'm gonna keep, so
I still have fifty more cents that I'll keep for myself
Don't care if you're young or old
Age doesn't matter
Get together, let the good times roll
Come together and enjoy the happy moments
Let the good times roll
Continue to have a great time
Let the good times roll
Continue to enjoy the joyful moments
Let the good times roll
Keep indulging in the happy times
Let the good times roll
Continue to experience joy and fun
Let the good times roll
Keep enjoying the happy moments
Don't care if you're young or old
Age is not a concern
Get together, let the good times roll
Unite and enjoy the joyful times
Let the good times roll
Continue to have a great time
Let the good times roll
Keep experiencing joy and fun
Let the good times roll
Continue to enjoy the happy moments
Let the good times roll
Keep indulging in the joyous experiences
Don't care if you're young or old
Age is not a factor
Get together, let the good times roll
Come together and enjoy the happy times
Writer(s): Fleecie Moore, Sam Theard
Contributed by Logan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thomasmedeiros5722
If you are into Blues Koko Taylor is definitely one singer you will never forget. As soon as she belts out the first notes you know it’s KOKO.
@emmyfan
I had the good fortune of seeing Koko Taylor in concert and she was great. I got a chance to meet after one show and she was so nice.
@MrBigvic47
My father is playing the drums Vincent Chappelle
@tonystevenson5125
Do you also Play?
Your Dad’s Got a Great Feel and he is Smooth 🙂
@jerrymariano402
she's the queen nobody can replace her.
@taracalip345
My favorite female blues singer
@miltonkanfer4229
So good! Wish I was there, Koko belts it out.
@angiesherard6215
This is one fine woman, what a voice!!
@ZoeskiiSC
I'm 24 but love the BLUES!!!
@sisi11122
You're a smart 24 year-old