Mr. Big combined two po… Read Full Bio ↴(For the 70s British rock band, see Mr Big.)
Mr. Big combined two popular musical trends of the rock scene in the mid to late 80s: a particular brand of hard rock focused on melodies and listener-friendly choruses made for the arena, and impressive technical proficiency, then called shredding. The seeds for the group were sown when bass player Billy Sheehan (considered one of the top bassists of rock, often thought to be the bass equivalent of guitarist Eddie Van Halen) left David Lee Roth's solo band in 1988. Almost immediately after his exit, Sheehan began piecing together a new outfit, with the help of Mike Varney from Shrapnel Records, a label specialized in the shredding genre. The band comprised Shrapnel artist and former Racer X guitarist Paul Gilbert, Pat Torpey on drums, and singer Eric Martin, who had a number of album releases throughout the 1980s with his Eric Martin Band.
By 1989, the newly formed quartet, already regarded as a budding supergroup, had already inked a recording contract with Atlantic, resulting in the release of a self-titled debut the same year. Produced by Kevin Elson and Val Garay, 'Mr. Big' proved a partial commercial success, reaching the 46th slot on the Billboard 200 chart. Lead-off single "Addicted to that Rush", featuring the band's aggressive guitar and bass playing, also brought the group some mainstream attention, reaching the #39 slot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Despite causing a buzz among musicians, the album didn't quite cross over to a mainstream rock audience stateside, though Mr. Big was an immediate smash success overseas in Japan. The band's breakthrough came with their second album, 'Lean Into It', in 1991. It featured two power ballads that established the band as a total commercial success: "To Be With You" and "Just Take My Heart". The group also released arena rock songs that have remained staples of their live set for years, such as "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind".
Other releases followed, 'Bump Ahead' in 1993 and 'Hey Man' in 1996, but the band never replicated its earlier success in the U.S. market. The rise of grunge and nu metal groups damped much of the mainstream's interest in traditional arena-made hard rock. In Japan, on the other hand, they continued to sell out tours, resulting in a number of live releases for the Japanese market throughout their career (from "Raw Like Sushi" in 1990 to Mr. Big in Japan in 2002 among later releases). Paul Gilbert left the band in 1997 to pursue a solo career and eventually reform Racer X. Richie Kotzen, another Shrapnel artist and former guitarist for Poison, was brought in to take on guitar duties, also contributing occasional vocals.
Two studio albums were released by this lineup: 'Get Over It' in 2000 and 'Actual Size' in 2001, which featured the single Shine used in the anime Hellsing. Tensions in the band between Billy Sheehan and the other members, especially Eric Martin, led to the band's demise-- contractual obligations for yet another Japanese tour were fulfilled in the form of a "farewell tour". The multi-million record-selling band broke up in 2002, many years since their last hit in the United States but while still enjoying great popularity in Japan.
In February 2009, as a result of fan-demand and also after several coincidences over the past couple of years that have gradually brought the group back together again, Eric Martin, Pat Torpey, Paul Gilbert, and Billy Sheehan finally announced their decision to reunite.
In September 2010, Mr. Big recorded a seventh album with producer Kevin Shirley at a Los Angeles-area studio. The album (What If...) was released in Japan on December 15, 2010, in Europe on January 21, 2011, and in the US in February 2011. The group's latest album, Defying Gravity, was recorded in Los Angeles in six days, and released on July 21, 2017. Due to Pat Torpey being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he could not play drums fully on the record and played on only several tracks. Matt Starr recorded the drum tracks, while Pat Torpey acted as "drum producer."
On February 7, 2018, drummer Pat Torpey died from complications of Parkinson's disease at the age of 64. His last show took place at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton on November 23, 2017. A memorial show took place on May 23, 2018 at The Canyon in Agoura Hills, California, with former member Richie Kotzen as a special guest.
Voodoo Kiss
Mr. Big Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A black cat cut across my path
Put a little spell on me mademoiselle
I want somebody to lobe me back
I need somebody to love me bad
Dig deep in the Mojo
Bad luck running through my veins
To drove this curse away
To drive this curse away, yeah yeah, yeah
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can't resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Kiss me on the lips
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Down by the river at midnight
You hear the rattle and roll of those chicken bones
A white haired women and a one eyed Jack
Mix me up a batch of that love flambeaux
I want a batch of that love flambeaux
I gave her half my money
She wanted just a little more
If you pay the price then tonight's you night
You get what you pay for
You'll get what you pray for
Oh yeah I want a
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can's resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Fox's got that Mojo workin'
Mr. Big easy!...
A hot blooded angel
The lyrics in Mr. Big's song, Voodoo Kiss, describe a man who is under the influence of a voodoo curse as he seeks a love interest. The song begins with the singer describing his condition as he succumbs to the full moon fever and the bad luck that seems to be running through his veins. The lyrics capture the essence of early New Orleans swamp voodoo traditions, referencing the magic of a black cat that crosses his path and his search for the perfect love.
The singer is looking for a cure for his curse, and he turns to Mojo, a traditional New Orleans spiritual practice, for help. The lyrics allude to the use of a Bontemps medicine to drive the curse away. The singer turns his attention to finding someone who will love him back and who he can love badly. He's willing to pay whatever price it takes, including giving away half his money, for the chance at true love.
The singer's search leads him to a Creole sister who he can't resist, and he receives her "Voodoo Kiss" that he equates to heaven. The song makes reference to the cultural blend of early New Orleans, including the use of chicken bones in spiritual practices and references to a one-eyed Jack. The underlying theme of the song is how love and magic come together in the search for the perfect relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got the full moon fever
I'm feeling restless and energetic, like I'm under the influence of the full moon.
A black cat cut across my path
I've experienced a superstitious omen that could indicate bad luck or misfortune.
Put a little spell on me mademoiselle
I feel like I've been enchanted or hypnotized by a woman, and I'm entranced by her magical ability.
I want somebody to lobe me back
I'm lonely and I need someone to love me as much as I love them.
I need somebody to love me bad
I want someone to love me very deeply, passionately and unconditionally.
Dig deep in the Mojo
I need to tap into some magical power or energy to help me with my problems or desires.
Bad luck running through my veins
I feel like I'm cursed or I have a string of bad luck that won't go away.
Cook up some Bontemps medicine
I need a potion or a brew of herbs to help me break the curse or get rid of the bad luck.
To drove this curse away
I want to banish my bad luck and misfortune.
A touch of sweet and nasty
I want a mixture of pleasure and danger, something thrilling and exciting.
A blind man couldn't miss
It's impossible to ignore or resist the seductive charms of a certain Creole woman.
A Creole sister man you can't resist her
This woman from a specific cultural background is irresistible to me and I'm drawn to her exotic allure.
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
When she kisses me tenderly, it's like experiencing some kind of supernatural magic or voodoo ritual.
Kiss me on the lips
I want to be passionately kissed by this Creole woman and have that magical moment.
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
I feel like I'm in a state of bliss or ecstasy when I'm kissed by this Creole woman with her voodoo magic.
Down by the river at midnight
I'm in a specific location where magic can happen - a mysterious and remote river near a city.
You hear the rattle and roll of those chicken bones
You can hear the sound of some kind of divination ritual using bones or other objects to predict the future or cast spells.
A white haired women and a one eyed Jack
I'm in the presence of two mysterious individuals with unique features, perhaps otherworldly or magical in nature.
Mix me up a batch of that love flambeaux
I want to have a drink or a potion that will make me feel attractive, desirable and able to attract love or affection.
I gave her half my money
I'm willing to pay or sacrifice something for the love or attention of this Creole woman.
She wanted just a little more
This woman is not satisfied with just half, she wants something bigger or more valuable to show her affection.
If you pay the price then tonight's you night
If I'm willing to invest time, money or effort, then I might have a chance to be with this Creole woman tonight.
You get what you pay for
You only get the level of affection or attention that you're willing to invest or pay.
Fox's got that Mojo workin'
This person named Fox has some kind of magical power or energy that can help me with my situation.
Mr. Big easy!...
This is a reference to the artist's name or nickname, and the location or culture that they come from.
A hot blooded angel
This Creole woman is angelic in her beauty and charm, but also has a fiery and passionate demeanor.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDRE PESSIS, ERIC MARTIN, ERIC LEE MARTIN, PAT TORPEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I've got the full moon fever
A black cat cut across my path
Put a little spell on me mademoiselle
I want somebody to lobe me back
I need somebody to love me bad
Dig deep in the Mojo
Bad luck running through my veins
Cook up some Bontemps medicine
To drove this curse away
To drive this curse away, yeah yeah, yeah
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can't resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Kiss me on the lips
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Down by the river at midnight
You hear the rattle and roll of those chicken bones
A white haired women and a one eyed Jack
Mix me up a batch of that love flambeaux
I want a batch of that love flambeaux
I gave her half my money
She wanted just a little more
If you pay the price then tonight's you night
You get what you pay for
You'll get what you pray for
Oh yeah I want a
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can's resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Fox's got that Mojo workin'
Mr. Big easy!...
A hot blooded angel
val wolsey
I didn't really think much of this song back then... well, I was a teenage girl after all, so guess what melted my heart... Just take my heart and to be with you, surprise surprise:D. Only now, more than 25 years later I really can see how great this song is! Btw...did you guys check out the MTV acoustic version? I mean, you HAVE TO!
Nadja
The MTV acoustic version is absolutely awesome. Actually I prefer it over the album version. They are so freaking talented.
Luis Garcia
It's a great one, I love this album. I'm gonna check that acoustic version |m|
johnny zell
I've got the full moon fever
A black cat cut across my path
Put a little spell on me mademoiselle
I want somebody to lobe me back
I need somebody to love me bad
Dig deep in the Mojo
Bad luck running through my veins
Cook up some Bontemps medicine
To drove this curse away
To drive this curse away, yeah yeah, yeah
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can't resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Kiss me on the lips
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Down by the river at midnight
You hear the rattle and roll of those chicken bones
A white haired women and a one eyed Jack
Mix me up a batch of that love flambeaux
I want a batch of that love flambeaux
I gave her half my money
She wanted just a little more
If you pay the price then tonight's you night
You get what you pay for
You'll get what you pray for
Oh yeah I want a
A touch of sweet and nasty
A blind man couldn't miss
A Creole sister man you can's resist her
When she's soft against you lips-Voodoo kiss
Can heaven be like this-Voodoo kiss
Fox's got that Mojo workin'
Mr. Big easy!...
A hot blooded angel
Thelearner1000
the melodies! unforgetable!
Ray Gentry
I love this song! I firmly believe it would make an excellent strip tease song.
Steven Motsinger
Most humble guys I ever met.
pomegranateorange
Yes
Julio Jairo Sarco Moran
Uffff good song, good intro!!! Good band!
Jaime David Vazquez JDV
Mr. Big! The Band!