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.".
Your Own Fault Baby to Treat Me the Way You Do
Lightnin' Hopkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do
It's your own fault baby, darlin' in treatin' me the way you do
You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you
Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'
Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'
Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'
Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you
In "Your Own Fault Baby To Treat Me The Way You Do," Lightnin’ Hopkins laments about how he has been mistreated by his partner. He sings, “Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do. It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do. You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you.” The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disappointment, as he feels he did everything he could to make the relationship work, but still received mistreatment in return.
Hopkins then goes on to express his sadness and regret about the situation. “Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'. Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'. Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'.” Despite the dishonesty of his partner, Hopkins acknowledges that he still cares for her and that she is unable to end the relationship completely.
In the final verse, Hopkins emphasizes the length and depth of his love for his partner. “Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do. Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do. Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you.” Even though he has been mistreated, Hopkins is willing to forgive and still considers his partner to be his “baby.”
Overall, “Your Own Fault Baby To Treat Me The Way You Do” showcases Hopkins’ ability to convey complex emotions through his lyrics and blues guitar playing.
Line by Line Meaning
Your own fault, baby, treat me the way you do
It's your own fault that you treat me so badly, baby.
It's your own fault baby, treatin' me the way you do
You are completely responsible for your treatment of me, baby.
It's your own fault baby, darlin' in treatin' me the way you do
Baby, you have only yourself to blame for how you treat me.
You know I did everything for right, I did everything I could to help you
I did everything I could to be a good partner to you and help you, but it wasn't enough.
Whoa you once said that you loved me, yes but I found out you were lyin'
You used to say you loved me, but I later discovered that it was a lie.
Yes you once said that you loved me, found out you were lyin'
There was a time when you claimed to love me, but I eventually realized it wasn't true.
Well you know you can't quit me black woman, and there ain't no need in you tryin'
You won't be able to leave me, black woman, so there's no point in trying.
Whoa but still you my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
Despite everything, you are still my baby, and nothing you do can change that.
Yes you still my baby, don't make no difference what you may do
No matter what you do, you will always be my baby.
Yes I know you know little woman, how long I been in love with you
You may not say it, but I know that you are aware of how long I have been in love with you, little woman.
Contributed by Brayden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Philip Kemp
Is that LH playing the piano?