The musicologist Robert "Mack" McCormick opined that Hopkins is "the embodiment of the jazz-and-poetry spirit, representing its ancient form in the single creator whose words and music are one act".
Hopkins was born in Centerville, Texas, and as a child was immersed in the sounds of the blues. He developed a deep appreciation for this music at the age of 8, when he met Blind Lemon Jefferson at a church picnic in Buffalo, Texas. That day, Hopkins felt the blues was "in him".[citation needed] He went on to learn from his older (distant) cousin, the country blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander. (Hopkins had another cousin, the Texas electric blues guitarist Frankie Lee Sims, with whom he later recorded.) Hopkins began accompanying Jefferson on guitar at informal church gatherings. Jefferson reputedly never let anyone play with him except young Hopkins, and Hopkins learned much from Jefferson at these gatherings.
Hopkins's style was born from spending many hours playing informally without a backing band. His distinctive fingerstyle technique often included playing, in effect, bass, rhythm, lead, and percussion at the same time. He played both "alternating" and "monotonic" bass styles incorporating imaginative, often chromatic turnarounds and single-note lead lines. Tapping or slapping the body of his guitar added rhythmic accompaniment.
Much of Hopkins's music follows the standard 12-bar blues template, but his phrasing was free and loose. Many of his songs were in the talking blues style, but he was a powerful and confident singer.[citation needed] Lyrically, his songs expressed the problems of life in the segregated South, bad luck in love and other subjects common in the blues idiom. He dealt with these subjects with humor and good nature. Many of his songs are filled with double entendres, and he was known for his humorous introductions to songs.
Hopkins died of esophageal cancer in Houston on January 30, 1982, at the age of 69. His obituary in the New York Times described him as "one of the great country blues singers and perhaps the greatest single influence on rock guitar players.".
Automobile Blues
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ridin' in your brand new automobile
Yes, I saw you ridin' 'round
You was ridin' 'round
In your brand new automobile
Yes, you was happy sittin' there
With your handsome driver at the wheel
In your brand new automobile
Yo' face was tinted with powder
Your lips all full a-rouge
Yes, yo' face was tinted with powder
And your face all full-a rouge
Yes, but I knowed you was comin' home
When you found out your driver
Didn't mean you no good
In your brand new automobile
(guitar)
Out of all you've done, baby
Darling, you know I love you still
Out of all you've done, baby
Darling, you know I love you still
Yes, I know you don't worry about no one driver
There's too many lane to drive your wheel
In your brand new automobile.
~
"Automobile Blues" is a song by Lightnin' Hopkins that describes the betrayal of a woman's driver, as well as the heartbreak and distress that followed after she realized it. In the beginning of the song, Lightnin' Hopkins watches the woman happily riding around in her brand new automobile with her handsome driver by her side. Her face is covered with makeup, and she appears to be satisfied and content with her luxurious lifestyle. However, Hopkins warns her that the driver doesn't have good intentions, and eventually, the woman discovers this harsh truth.
The lyrics indicate that the woman returns home, realizing that her driver has done something wrong. The final verse attempts to console the woman by promising that even though she has made many mistakes, Lightnin' Hopkins still loves her. He also reassures her that there are still many opportunities for her in life, and she can have her pick of drivers and lanes to drive her brand new automobile.
Overall, "Automobile Blues" is a blues song that tells a story of betrayal, heartbreak, and resilience. It speaks to the struggles and hardships people face in life, but also offers hope that there is always a way forward.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you ridin' 'round
I saw you driving your new car around
You ridin' in your brand new automobile
You were driving in your new car
Yes, I saw you ridin' 'round
Yes, I saw you driving around
You was ridin' 'round
You were driving around
In your brand new automobile
In your new car
Yes, you was happy sittin' there
Yes, you were happy sitting there
With your handsome driver at the wheel
With your good-looking driver driving the car
Yo' face was tinted with powder
Your face had makeup on it
Your lips all full a-rouge
Your lips were painted with red lipstick
Yes, yo' face was tinted with powder
Yes, your face had makeup on it
And your face all full-a rouge
And your lips had red lipstick on them
Yes, but I knowed you was comin' home
But I knew you were going to come home
When you found out your driver didn't mean you no good
When you found out your driver wasn't treating you well
In your brand new automobile
In your new car
(guitar)
Instrumental break
Out of all you've done, baby
Out of everything you've done, baby
Darling, you know I love you still
Darling, you know I still love you
Yes, I know you don't worry about no one driver
Yes, I know you don't worry about just one driver
There's too many lane to drive your wheel
There are too many roads for you to drive your car on
In your brand new automobile.
In your new car
Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Freaky Freddie Frawley
I pulled up this song because I was reading "That Thin, Wild Mercury Sound: Nashville and the Making of Blonde on Blonde" by Daryl Sanders. In the book, Sanders speculates that Lightnin' Hopkins's "Automobile Blues" may have been the inspiration for "Leopard-Skin Pill Box Hat". Makes sense, as there are some definite similarities in the music and the lyrical phrasings.
Monotone
Oh it definitely is. Dylan made no secret of continuing the folk tradition of borrowing other people's songs
EBP Music
you talk with lots of intricate words you must read a lot of books. One day i hope to talk like you do.
Donald Callum
Yes that's funny just re-reading that Wild Thin Mercury Sound where this is mentioned 🤣
Nalinho
Have tickets for this guy next summer cant wait
Mico Veliki
What the fuck lightin is dead for 30 years
Bob Johnny
@Mico Veliki He’s fucking joking for Christ sakes!
Mico Veliki
@Bob Johnny i know i was being sarcastic bur apparently too much
Toney Isaiah
Treasure American blues
musicians. Toney Tillery Isaiah.
Mark Savino
Nothing tops this. Nothing.