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.".
Coming Back Home
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as soon as God break day
Goin' back home
Just as soon as the good Lord break his day
Whoa, you know this ain't no place for me
And I don't think po' Lightnin' wanna stay
She's the sweetest thing, man, in this world
Married woman
She's the sweetest thing, man, in this world
You know why I know it, I got one
Every night she lays in po' Lightnin's quilt?
Sometimes, she calls me her little boy
Listen at me, I calls her my little girl
Sometimes, she call me her little boy
Listens at me, sometimes I call her my little girl
Yes, when that woman go to kiss me
Po' Lightnin' think he's out of this world
In "Goin' Back Home," Lightnin' Hopkins expresses his desire to be reunited with his home, which he says is not where he currently is. He states that he will return as soon as the Lord shines his light on the day, indicating that he has an urgent need to leave. He repeats this sentiment, emphasizing that he does not belong where he is currently located. Hopkins also sings about his love for a married woman, whom he describes as the sweetest thing in the world. He indicates that he knows this from personal experience, given that he has a similar woman in his life. The song ends with Hopkins reflecting on his woman's affection towards him, which makes him feel like he is out of this world.
Line by Line Meaning
Goin' back home
I am planning to go back to my hometown
Just as soon as God break day
As soon as the sun rises, I'll start my journey
Just as soon as the good Lord break his day
As soon as the sun rises, I'll start my journey
Whoa, you know this ain't no place for me
This place is not suitable for me to live in
And I don't think po' Lightnin' wanna stay
I don't want to stay here any longer
Married woman
A woman who is married
She's the sweetest thing, man, in this world
She is the most loving woman I have ever met
You know why I know it, I got one
I know it because I have one myself
Every night she lays in po' Lightnin's quilt?
Does she spend the night with me?
Sometimes, she calls me her little boy
Sometimes she refers to me as her young lover
Listen at me, I calls her my little girl
I call her my sweetheart
Yes, when that woman go to kiss me
When she comes to kiss me
Po' Lightnin' think he's out of this world
I feel like I'm in heaven
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAM HOPKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@duckiesmaid
I listened to these songs when I was a little girl. I was thinking about Hopkins tonight. This has been fantastic to come across his music. Thank you!!!!
@fidelmichelbrito494
Simplemente fue un genio gracias
@coravisser727
Fantastic music real good.
@stargazer6675
Sublime
@nianoah25
great blues
@3006khz
nice work,JJ
@beedies21
nice job
@philipsims337
Voice!
@liamwalker2178
need mo lightnin! thanks for postin, is this montana?
@YEFJJ
don't know