Magic Sam moved to Chicago in 1956, where his guitar playing earned him bookings at blues clubs on the West Side. He recorded singles for Cobra Records from 1957 to 1959, including "All Your Love" and "Easy Baby". They did not reach the record charts but had a profound influence, far beyond Chicago's guitarists and singers. Together with recordings by Otis Rush and Buddy Guy (also Cobra artists), they were a manifesto for a new kind of blues. Around this time Magic Sam worked briefly with Homesick James Williamson.
Magic Sam gained a following before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served six months in prison for desertion and received a dishonorable discharge.
In 1963, he gained national attention for his single "Feelin' Good (We're Gonna Boogie)". He successfully toured the U.S., Britain and Germany. He was signed to Delmark Records in 1967, for which he recorded West Side Soul and Black Magic. He continued performing live and toured with blues harp player Charlie Musselwhite and Sam Lay.
Magic Sam's breakthrough performance was at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, which won him many bookings in the U.S. and Europe.
His career was cut short when he suddenly died of a heart attack in December 1969. He was 32 years old. He is buried in the Restvale Cemetery, in Alsip, Illinois. In February 1970, the Butterfield Blues Band played at a benefit concert for Magic Sam, at Fillmore West in San Francisco. Also on the bill were Mike Bloomfield, Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite and Nick Gravenites.
His guitar style, vocals, and songwriting have inspired and influenced many blues musicians. In the film The Blues Brothers, Jake Blues dedicates the band's performance of "Sweet Home Chicago" to the "late, great Magic Sam".
The stage name Magic Sam was devised by Sam's bass player and childhood friend Mack Thompson at Sam's first recording session for Cobra as an approximation of "Maghett Sam". The name Sam was using at the time, Good Rocking Sam, was already being used by another artist.
"Magic Sam had a different guitar sound," said his record producer, Willie Dixon. "Most of the guys were playing the straight 12-bar blues thing, but the harmonies that he carried with the chords was a different thing altogether. This tune "All Your Love", he expressed with such an inspirational feeling with his high voice. You could always tell him, even from his introduction to the music."
Awards and recognition
1982, Blues Foundation Blues Music Award for Magic Sam Live in the category Vintage or Reissue Album of the Year (US)
1982, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, induction as Performer
1984, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, West Side Soul selected in the category Classics of Blues Recordings – Albums
1990, Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, Black Magic selected in the category Classics of Blues Recordings –
Partial album discography
1967 West Side Soul Delmark Recorded Chicago, 1967
1968 Black Magic Delmark Recorded Chicago, 1968
1969 Raw Blues Live 1969 Rock Beat Records Recorded in Berkeley, Calif., 1969
1980 The Late Great Magic Sam L+R Recorded 1963–64, 1969
1981 Magic Sam Live Delmark Recorded live in Chicago, 1963–64, and Ann Arbor, 1969
1981 Magic Touch Black Magic Recorded live in Chicago, 1966
1989 The Magic Sam Legacy Delmark Outtakes and alternate takes recorded in Chicago, 1966–68
1991 Give Me Time Delmark Solo demo and rehearsal home recordings, 1968
2001 With a Feeling – The Complete Cobra, Chief & Crash Recordings 1957–1966 Westside Most pre-Delmark recordings; also available as Out of Luck, P-Vine, 2003
2002 Rockin' Wild in Chicago Delmark Recorded live in Chicago, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968
2008 Genius: The Final Sessions Intermedia Previously unreleased
2013 Live at the Avant Garde June 22, 1968 Delmark Recorded live at the Avant Garde coffeehouse, Milwaukee, June 22, 1968
I Don't Want No Woman
Magic Sam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want no woman telling me what to do
Well, I'm grown now, darling, just as grown as you
I don't want no woman telling me this and that
No, I don't want no woman telling me this and that
Yes, it makes me mad, darling, and I don't go for that
You tend to your business and I'll tend to mine
I don't want no woman, telling me how to live my life
Yes, I'm gonna leave you darling, 'cause I don't want no wife
You used to boss your man, that I can't deny
Before I let you boss me, I lay down and die
I don't want no woman telling me how to live my life
Yes, I'm gonna leave you darling, 'cause I don't want no wife
You used to boss your man, that I can't deny
Before I let you boss me, I lay down and die
I don't want no woman telling me how to live my life
Yes, I'm gonna leave you darling, 'cause I don't want no wife
I don't want no woman telling me how to live my life
I don't want no woman telling me how to live my life
Yes, I'm gonna leave you darling, 'cause I don't want no wife
The lyrics to Magic Sam's song "I Don't Want No Woman" are centered around a man's desire for independence and autonomy. He sings about not wanting a woman to tell him what to do, how to live his life, or tend to his business. He asserts that he is just as grown as any woman and should not be bossed around or controlled. The phrase "I don't want no wife" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing his desire to be free from commitment and the expectations that come with a traditional partnership.
This song reflects a common theme in blues music of the desire for freedom and independence. The lyrics can be interpreted as a rejection of societal expectations placed on men to be the head of household and provide for their partners. It is also interesting to note that the repetition of the phrase "I don't want no woman" can be seen as objectifying and devaluing towards women.
Magic Sam was known for his gritty, soulful blues guitar playing and his smooth vocals. He was a prominent figure in the Chicago blues scene in the 1960s, but sadly passed away at the young age of 32. "I Don't Want No Woman" remains one of his most popular songs and an enduring example of the blues music genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want no woman telling me what to do
I don't want any woman trying to control me or give me orders.
Well, I'm grown now, darling, just as grown as you
I am a grown man and I do not need anyone to tell me what to do or how to live my life.
No, I don't want no woman telling me this and that
I do not want any woman trying to dictate what I should or shouldn't do.
Yes, it makes me mad, darling, and I don't go for that
It angers me when women try to control me and I will not tolerate it.
You drink your whiskey, I'll drink my wine
We can each have our own preferences and do what we like without needing someone else's permission or input.
You tend to your business and I'll tend to mine
We each have our own things to take care of and should not be interfered with in that regard.
Yes, I'm gonna leave you darling, 'cause I don't want no wife
If a woman insists on trying to control me or dictate my actions, I will leave her because I do not want to be in a marriage or partnership where that is the case.
Before I let you boss me, I lay down and die
I would rather die than let a woman try to boss or control me.
Contributed by Leah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Marshall333
His playing so clean and articulate with that gorgeous reverb
broseph13
It's a shame there's only 3 thousands views. Like queen said, this is the blues at it's best, everyone should hear this.
Sol Luna Imports and Exports Inc.
You can certainly hear the progression/influential construction from Lonnie to Magic to AC DC to Stevie Ray, just in this one song . . . . Magic certainly is magic and more so . . . .
Louie D
I'm embarrassed this has taken me so long to hear. This is sooooo good . Ordered a cd after hearing just a couple songs. Love it!!!
vincent parrella
Magic Sam and Earl Hooked are some of the best blues player of the re emergence of the Blues of the 1960's.
Dallas Gerry
vincent parrella and Otis rush
PBass
Wow, one of the most underrated over-looked artist but his career was cut short by a heart attack at 32
peonwarrior
and died of a heart attack!!WTF!! He had a short life, but here again, he was such a genius! Love so much the album West Side Soul that features Magic Slam at his best potential!
Legrand Bakker
Now dis da blues!
yairi5070
sweet baby jesus, everything good about blues is in this song. astounding shuffle blues bass, drums, and rhythm guitar, with all the stops and starts. and mazing tone on that lead guitar and fluid, sensual playing, and wailing vocals with some damn good lyrics!