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.".
Life I Used to Live
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know the life I used to live, I ain't going to live it no more
Well, I used to live so reckless, was losing friends everywhere I go
I'm going to change my way of living, I'm going to join the church again
I'm going to change my way of living, I'm going to join the church again
Then I can go 'round and talk religious to my friends, I can shake hands among all my friends
Bye bye, bye bye, ain't going to live that life no more
In "Life I Used to Live," Lightnin' Hopkins reflects on his past behavior and its consequences. He acknowledges that he used to live recklessly, which led to the loss of friends. However, he now realizes the need for change and has decided to join the church again. Hopkins believes that this transformation will allow him to inspire his friends with religious conversations and reconnect with them.
The song can be interpreted as a personal confession, where Hopkins confronts himself for his past actions and tries to make amends. The repetitive nature of the lyrics serves to emphasize the seriousness of his decision to change. By saying goodbye to his former lifestyle, he is making a pledge to himself and his friends to be a better person.
The song's message is timeless and can apply to anyone who has undergone a significant change in their lives. The lyrics reveal the importance of introspection and self-awareness, as well as the power of forgiveness and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the life I used to live, Lord, I ain't going to live it no more
I have realized that the way I lived my life before was wrong and I have decided to make a change.
Well, I used to live so reckless, was losing friends everywhere I go
My reckless behavior in the past caused me to lose the people I cared about and I regret it.
I'm going to change my way of living, I'm going to join the church again
I have decided to change my lifestyle and return to my religious roots for guidance and support.
Then I can go 'round and talk religious to my friends, I can shake hands among all my friends
By returning to the church, I will be able to share my faith with my friends and reconnect with them.
Bye bye, bye bye, ain't going to live that life no more
I am saying goodbye to my old ways and will no longer live that way.
Contributed by Kennedy B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cora Visser
this is brilliant thank you so much Lightin Hopkins and radio Culebra thank you for uploading.
Radio Culebra
Gracias a ti por comentar! Y disculpa la enorme tardanza en escribir!
Saludos amigo!
Yeehee
I'm convinced Lightnins the greatest bluesman ever
Radio Culebra
is super grande!
Nicole Holford Lockney
This is from April 1954. My grandfather engineered this recording at his studio in Houston. It was originally released by Herald.
Radio Culebra
:0 wow
Nicole Holford Lockney
@Radio Culebra He recorded a huge number of Lightnin’s recordings, including those wonderful Herald sessions! You can hear his voice as the beginning of some songs that have studio chatter! (I almost fell out of my chair the first time I realized that!) There’s even a photo of him in Lightnin’s biography. His name was Bill Holford. His studio was ACA Studios. ❤️
Radio Culebra
@Nicole Holford Lockney oh! thanks for sharing your memories! and thanks to your granpa for his superjob.. surely he was a super guy!
Felicia Broome Willie
<3
Ermin0s
Yo dawg, Rock was made by the blues