Mayfield was born in Minden, Louisiana. As a youth, he showed a talent for poetry, so he thought he would try songwriting and singing. He began his performing career in Texas and had moved to Los Angeles by 1942.
He auditioned his song "Two Years of Torture" to Supreme Records (a Los Angeles-area record label) because he thought it would be a good song for Jimmy Witherspoon. The label liked his performance and asked him to record it in 1947. Although his vocal style was influenced by such stylists as Charles Brown, Mayfield did not focus on the white market as did many West Coast bluesmen. Rather, he sang blues ballads, mostly his own songs, in a gentle vocal style.
In 1950, he signed with Specialty Records and released several well-received R&B records. His most famous performance: "Please Send Me Someone to Love" was a number one R&B hit in 1950. His career continued to blossom with songs like "Strange Things Happening", "Lost Love," "What a Fool I Was," "Prayin' for Your Return," "Cry Baby," and "Big Question." A 1953 auto accident left him seriously injured, including a facial disfigurement that limited his performing.
Mayfield's songs tend to be downbeat and his lyrics tend to be heartbreaking, but his vulnerability and emotional sensitivity prevent songs like "Life Is Suicide" and "The River's Invitation" from being maudlin.
Mayfield continued to write and record for Specialty until 1954 and then recorded for Chess Records and the Imperial label. In the early 1960s, he became one of Ray Charles's favorite songwriters, writing classic songs such as "Hit the Road Jack", "At the Club", and "Danger Zone" (which has the same melody of "Please Send Me Someone to Love". Charles signed Mayfield to his Tangerine logo in 1962.
When Mayfield died of a heart attack in 1984, at the age of 63, he had fallen back into obscurity.
Mayfield hit his creative peak in the years before his music became a mainstream sound. Thus it was always a struggle to gain recognition that he was due. But available examples of his music demonstrate his writing and performing talent and his enormous influence on other performers
The Hunt Is On
Percy Mayfield Lyrics
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Tryin' to find a woman that wants to grow old with me
Because I wanna settle down and try to raise a family
Kinda in a hurry 'cause time is passing by
Yes, kinda in a hurry 'cause time is passing by
If I don't get a woman soon I'll be too old to try
And don't start snowing in my ears, time she hit the bed
She don't have to be an angel but I sure don't want a square
I want a woman wise enough to wanna get some wealth
Cause I tryin' to find a woman that wants to grow old with me
Because I wanna settle down and try to raise a family
In Percy Mayfield's "The Hunt Is On," the singer conveys his desire to find a woman with whom he can settle down and grow old. He’s already feeling the ticking of the clock, and the more time passes, the harder it becomes to find the right woman. The singer craves a true partner, someone with whom he can start a family and build a life together.
He’s looking for a woman who is intelligent, pragmatic, and ambitious. He doesn't want someone who will only agree with him, but instead a partner who can challenge him and help him grow. Mayfield emphasizes that it's important to him that the woman he ultimately chooses wants to achieve success - building up a stable financial foundation before taking the next step.
The tone of "The Hunt Is On" is one of anxious anticipation. Mayfield characterizes himself as being "in a hurry" and writes that "time is passing by." While his desire to find the right person is clear, Mayfield hints at a sense of resignation if he doesn't succeed. This emphasizes the value he places on the importance of finding a partner with whom one can build a life together.
Line by Line Meaning
Tryin' to find a woman that wants to grow old with me
I am searching for a woman who is willing to be with me for the long haul.
Because I wanna settle down and try to raise a family
I am looking for a partner to start a family with.
Yes, kinda in a hurry 'cause time is passing by
I feel a sense of urgency because I am getting older and time is limited.
If I don't get a woman soon I'll be too old to try
If I don't find a woman soon, I may be too old to start a family.
I want a woman who would listen and try to use her head
I am seeking a woman who is attentive and able to think critically.
And don't start snowing in my ears, time she hit the bed
I do not want a woman who is dishonest or manipulative.
She don't have to be an angel but I sure don't want a square
I am not expecting perfection but I want someone who is open-minded and not too traditional.
I want a woman wise enough to wanna get some wealth
I am looking for a partner who is focused on building a successful financial future together.
Cause I tryin' to find a woman that wants to grow old with me
My ultimate goal is to find a woman who is willing to spend her life with me.
Because I wanna settle down and try to raise a family
I am searching for a long-term partner to create a family with.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Billy Vera
Hank Crawford: also sax solo Ray Charles: organ solo