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.".
Have You Ever Loved a Woman
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much it hurts to be alone.
Have you ever loved a woman
So much it hurts to be alone.
And all the time you know that little girl will do you wrong.
But you just love that woman
So much that you tremble in pain.
So much you tremble in pain.
And the part that hurts so bad
Is you know ya never gonna see her again.
Have you ever loved a woman
So much that it hurts to be alone.
Have you ever loved a woman
So much that it hurts to be alone.
While all the time you know
You don't wanna break up your happy home.
The song Have You Ever Loved a Woman by Lightnin' Hopkins is a blues ballad that speaks to the pain of loving someone who doesn't love you back. The lyrics express the feeling of being alone even when in love, the longing for that person and the knowledge that they will never reciprocate the feelings. The lines 'And all the time you know that little girl will do you wrong' and 'And the part that hurts so bad, Is you know ya never gonna see her again' speak to the uncertainty and the finality of the situation - the person knows that they will be hurt, yet they still put themselves through it because the love is stronger.
The chorus of the song repeats the same lines, 'Have you ever loved a woman, So much it hurts to be alone' twice, and it emphasizes the pain and the loneliness that one feels when in love with someone who will never love you as much. The lyrics convey a sense of helplessness and despair felt by those who are in love with someone unattainable. The line 'While all the time you know You don't wanna break up your happy home' shows the dilemma that the person is in - they don't want to ruin what they have, but they also can't help the way they feel.
In summary, Have You Ever Loved a Woman is a heartfelt song that expresses the angst and longing associated with unrequited love. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the slow-paced blues melody enhances the mood of the song. It is a timeless piece of music that has touched the hearts of many.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever loved a woman
Asking if the listener has ever experienced love for a woman
So much it hurts to be alone.
Describing the intense level of love felt for this woman
Have you ever loved a woman
Repeating the question for emphasis
So much it hurts to be alone.
Emphasizing the overwhelming pain of being separated from this woman
And all the time you know that little girl will do you wrong.
Acknowledging that despite knowing this woman may not treat you well, the love persists
But you just love that woman
Emphasizing the powerlessness in the face of love for this woman
So much that you tremble in pain.
Describing the physical effect of being consumed by love
When you just love that woman
Reiterating the focus on this specific woman
So much you tremble in pain.
Repeating the description of the physical effects of love
And the part that hurts so bad
Identifying the source of the pain
Is you know ya never gonna see her again.
Highlighting the finality of the separation from this woman
Have you ever loved a woman
Restating the opening question
So much that it hurts to be alone.
Reiterating the intense feelings of love and pain
While all the time you know
Acknowledging that this love exists despite knowing it may not make sense
You don't wanna break up your happy home.
Recognizing the conflict between love and responsibility to a current relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Billy Myles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@arturleppik8399
Lyrics:
Have you ever loved a woman
Man, better than you did yourself
Have you ever loved a woman
Oh, man better than you did yourself
Have you ever tried to give 'em a good home
Same time she act a fool and left (That’s what happened to me!)
Don’t think cuz you’re pretty baby
Little girl ain’t got every man in town
Please don’t think cuz you’re good looking (Yeah!)
Woman, that you got every man in town
Yeah you know you ain’t doin’ nothin’
Yeah, but tearin' your reputation down
(But that’s your business)
(Have mercy)
You know I don’t want you
If you little girl don’t want poor me
Don’t want you
Little girl if you don’t want poor me
Better quit your puttin’ on and let poor Lightin’ know
Go ahead on and let me be
(Yeah sure, one more time boy, drop down)
@Jalapablo
Lightnin Hopkins needs to be listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the coolest cat who ever lived.
@gray9877
he's in our hearts and souls...better than any award :)
@kingbuzzo9615
@@gray9877 you are the man!!
@randalmcmurphy1893
fast and flash...
@captlarry-3525
that would be mohair sam..
@johnledford694
One of 'em, way up high
@kenyates4827
My dad use to play in clubs with Lightning-his music was big influence on my dad. I never remember meeting Lightning but as I listen to Lightning, I am reminded of how my dad sounded when he played and sang. My dads been gone for 5 years now but this music lives on in me. Thanks Lightning
@ehopkins2
I met him when I was a little boy at my Aunt Flora's home in Mississippi he played for us and we danced til we couldn't stand anymore. I love you Uncle Lightnin' and will always remember your wise words.
@modernmistyk4341
no he didnt lol
@russellcurtis3855
o u lucky!!