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.".
The Trouble Blues
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trouble is all in the world I see
Trouble, trouble, trouble,
Trouble is all in the world I see
Yeah you know I often wonder
What in the world gonna become of me
Now when I wake up in the mornin'
Blues and trouble all 'round my bed
Blues and trouble all 'round my bed
Yeah you know I never will forget
Last what I heard my baby said
What did she say boy?
She said "Lightnin' I'm leavin' you in the mornin'
And you cryin' won't make me stay"
She said "I'm leavin' you in the mornin'
Lightnin' your cryin' won't make me stay"
I just said "I hope, little girl,
Po' Lightnin'll meet you again some day"
And she got sad and I did too, we had to moan a little
Well I had to tell 'are:
"If you just gotta go
Hope I'll meet you again some day
If you just gotta go
Hope I'll meet you again some day
Yes when I do little girl
You'll be done changed your evil way"
The lyrics of Lightnin' Hopkins's "The Trouble Blues" express the overwhelming despair and sadness that the singer feels about his life. He repeatedly sings "Trouble, trouble, trouble," indicating that he is surrounded by problems and worries. He cannot escape them, as they are all he sees in the world. He wonders what will become of him, expressing a profound sense of hopelessness and doubt.
When he wakes up in the morning, the blues and trouble are all around his bed. He remembers the last words his girl said to him, indicating that their relationship is coming to an end. She tells him that she is leaving him in the morning, and his crying won't change her mind. He responds, hoping that they will meet again someday but acknowledging that things may have changed by then. The song's protagonist expresses his melancholy with every word, making the listener feel his distress.
The song is a classic example of the blues genre's ability to capture deep-seated emotions and express them lyrically and musically. Hopkins's ability to convey the feelings of sadness and hopelessness through his music and lyrics is a testament to his skill as a songwriter and performer.
Line by Line Meaning
Trouble, trouble, trouble,
The constant presence of difficulty and hardship
Trouble is all in the world I see
Tension seems to permeate every aspect of life
Yeah you know I often wonder
He frequently reflects on his circumstances
What in the world gonna become of me
He is unsure of his future prospects
Now when I wake up in the mornin'
Upon waking up
Blues and trouble all 'round my bed
He immediately feels a sense of sadness and hardship
Yeah you know I never will forget
He holds onto past memories
Last what I heard my baby said
He recalls his former partner's words
She said "Lightnin' I'm leavin' you in the mornin'
His partner has decided to leave him
And you cryin' won't make me stay"
She is adamant about her decision
I just said "I hope, little girl,
He responds to her departure with hope
Po' Lightnin'll meet you again some day"
He's optimistic about meeting her in the future
And she got sad and I did too, we had to moan a little
Her and Lightnin' both feel the weight of the situation
Well I had to tell 'are:
He relays more of his thoughts
"If you just gotta go
He understands her need to leave
Hope I'll meet you again some day
But still hopes to reconnect with her
Yes when I do little girl
When they ultimately reunite
You'll be done changed your evil way"
He anticipates her changing her behavior for the better
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Τόλης Μπύρος
Trouble, trouble, trouble,
Trouble is all in the world I see
Trouble, trouble, trouble,
Trouble is all in the world I see
Yeah you know I often wonder
What in the world gonna become of me
Now when I wake up in the mornin'
Blues and trouble all 'round my bed
When I wake up in the mornin'
Blues and trouble all 'round my bed
Yeah you know I never will forget
Last what I heard my baby said
What did she say boy?
She said "Lightnin' I'm leavin' you in the mornin'
And you cryin' won't make me stay"
She said "I'm leavin' you in the mornin'
Lightnin' your cryin' won't make me stay"
I just said "I hope, little girl,
Po' Lightnin'll meet you again some day"
And she got sad and I did too, we had to moan a little
Well I had to tell 'are:
"If you just gotta go
Hope I'll meet you again some day
If you just gotta go
Hope I'll meet you again some day
Yes when I do little girl
You'll be done changed your evil way
KTM
My favorite bluesman...ever! Learning so much from him.
For me, the true blues is played at walking speed, you gotta feel those notes, savor 'em like blueberries, one at a time. No rush, view the landscape, smell the corn, feel the dust in your face, the water leaking into your shoe. It's a sweet & sour journey. I'm in no rush to get to my destination. That's the blues, that's Sam Lightnin' Hopkins.
Odi Etamo
Well put.
PromiseMePink
This man has the Blues down. Music like this can only come from deep inside your soul and he's probably lived the blues. He's great!
Anna Barachanou
i absolutely love blues music! great music!
MariLeanna
He is truly an amazing singer...i love his lyrics
Mr. Rock
Lightnin' Hopkins Great song, great Bluesman...
chalanju
Great song! I would love to learn to play it,but I can't find any lessons for this song. Any suggestions?
John Boger
If I recall correctly this is from a recording of Hopkins when he performed at Carnegie Hall possibly in 1964 or 66 (don't remember). He also played his piano boogie and for some numbers alternated between piano and guitar. it's a great album and in my humble opinion one of the best blues albums ever produced and there are of course serious contenders. I heard him live in NYC shortly before he died.
gary garyson
Lightnin is the true blood of Houston. Historic sound.
Michelle Alicia
True Blood always introduces me to great music. This is awesome.