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.".
Katie Mae
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, you know Katie Mae is a good girl, folks, and she don't run around at night
Yeah, you know you can bet your last dollar Katie Mae will treat you right
Yeah, you know I try to give that woman everything in the world she need,
that's why she don't do nothing but lay up in the bed and read
You know she walks just like she got oil wells in her backyard
Yes, you'll never hear that woman whoop and holler and cry and talking 'bout these times being hard
You know some folks say she must be a Cadillac, but I say she must be a T-model Ford
Yeah, you know she got the shape all right, but she can't carry no heavy load
I say goodbye, goodbye poor Katie Mae, these are the last words that I got to say
I say goodbye, goodbye poor Katie Mae, these are the last words I got to say
Yes, if I don't see you tomorrow I hope I'll meet you early the next day
The song "Katie Mae" by Lightnin' Hopkins seems to be an ode to a woman named Katie Mae. The opening lines of the song suggest that Katie Mae is a good girl who doesn't indulge in any wrongdoing. The singer seems to hold Katie Mae in high regard and believes that she'll treat him right. He claims that he has given her everything she needs and that's why she spends her time reading while in bed.
The next few lines of the song describe Katie Mae's physical attributes. The singer mentions that she walks with a unique style that suggests that she has oil wells in her backyard. He also claims that she doesn't complain about the hard times and is a person who doesn't show emotions easily. The singer then goes on to compare Katie Mae to a Cadillac and a T-model Ford. He seems to suggest that although she may have all the physical attributes of a luxury car, she can't carry heavy loads.
The song ends on a somber note as the singer bids farewell to Katie Mae. He hopes to see her again in the future but acknowledges that he may not. Overall, the song seems to be a simple story about a man's affection for a woman and his hope to maintain a connection with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you know Katie Mae is a good girl, folks, and she don't run around at night
Katie Mae is a respectable woman and doesn't engage in promiscuity.
Yeah, you know you can bet your last dollar Katie Mae will treat you right
If you treat Katie Mae well, she will reciprocate with kindness.
Yeah, you know I try to give that woman everything in the world she need, that's why she don't do nothing but lay up in the bed and read
Katie Mae is content with the material possessions she has and enjoys leisurely activities.
You know she walks just like she got oil wells in her backyard
Katie Mae walks with confidence and grace.
Yes, you'll never hear that woman whoop and holler and cry and talking 'bout these times being hard
Katie Mae handles adversity with composure and grace.
Yeah, you know some folks say she must be a Cadillac, but I say she must be a T-model Ford
While some people believe Katie Mae is elegant and luxurious like a Cadillac, the singer believes she is more simple and durable like a T-model Ford.
Yeah, you know she got the shape all right, but she can't carry no heavy load
Although Katie Mae is physically attractive, she is not necessarily equipped to handle difficult challenges or heavy burdens.
I say goodbye, goodbye poor Katie Mae, these are the last words that I got to say
The artist is bidding farewell to Katie Mae.
Yes, if I don't see you tomorrow I hope I'll meet you early the next day
The artist hopes to see Katie Mae soon and wishes her well in the meantime.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Sam Lightnin Hopkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spoonful1018
Katie Mae is one of my favorite songs
@user-hy9jh9rt8g
Один из моих любимых блюзменов!!!
Супер вещь!!!
@rothestenatalieaue3306
thank you so much for uploading !!
@bobbydmayo2518
Boom! Soulful!
@cancercancer7641
fantastic
@victorpolizzi5424
Good good, i like it
@jimparker7778
Many thanks. Lifted me!
@joeschmoe6306
I didn't this particular version, i have another version by Lightnin', this one is a bit slower and soulful, it's great too..the other one has piano, this one sounds like it has some light drums and a bass..
@spoonful1018
@TheSuperstoner4200 Then why are so many of the bluesmen smiling ear to ear when they play? I suspect there is something more to their respective lives than just oil wells in their backyards
@gamoonbat
The lyrics posted above are not the same as what he sings here. So I think the other version probably has those?