Perkins was born in Belzoni, Mississippi. He began his career as a guitarist, but then injured the tendons in his left arm in a fight with a chorus girl in Helena, Arkansas. Unable to play guitar, Perkins switched to the piano, and also switched from Robert Nighthawk's KFFA radio program to Sonny Boy Williamson's King Biscuit Time. He continued working with Nighthawk, however, accompanying him on 1950's "Jackson Town Gal".
In the 1950s, Perkins joined Earl Hooker and began touring. He recorded "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" (written by Pinetop Smith) at Sam Phillips' studio in Memphis, Tennessee. ("They used to call me Pinetop," he recalled, "because I played that song.") However, Perkins was only 15 years old in 1928, when Smith originally recorded "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie".
Perkins then relocated to Illinois and left the music business until Hooker convinced him to record again in 1968. Perkins replaced Otis Spann when he left the Muddy Waters band in 1969.[3] After ten years with that organization, he formed The Legendary Blues Band with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, recording through the late 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
Perkins played a brief musical cameo on the street outside Aretha's Soul Food Cafe in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers, having an argument with John Lee Hooker over who wrote "Boom Boom." He also appeared in the 1987 movie Angel Heart as a member of guitarist Toots Sweet's band.
Although he appeared as a sideman on countless recordings, Perkins never had an album devoted solely to his artistry, until the release of After Hours on Blind Pig Records in 1988. The tour in support of the album also featured Jimmy Rogers and guitarist Hubert Sumlin. In 1998 Perkins released the album Legends featuring Sumlin.
Perkins was driving his automobile in 2004 in La Porte, Indiana when he was hit by a train. The car was wrecked but the 91-year-old driver was not seriously hurt. Until his death, Perkins lived in Austin, Texas. He usually performed a couple of nights a week at Nuno's on Sixth Street. In 2005, Perkins received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2008, Perkins received a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas together with Henry James Townsend, Robert Lockwood, Jr. and David Honeyboy Edwards. He was also nominated in the same category for his solo album, Pinetop Perkins on the 88's: Live in Chicago.
The song "Hey Mr. Pinetop Perkins", performed by Perkins and Angela Strehli, played on the common misconception that Perkins wrote "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie":
Hey Mr. Pinetop Perkins
I got a question for you
How'd you write that first boogie woogie
The one they named after you
At the age of 97, he won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album for Joined at the Hip, an album he recorded with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Perkins thus became the oldest-ever Grammy winner, edging out comedian George Burns who had won in the spoken word category 21 years earlier (Perkins had tied with Burns, at the age of 90, in 2004).
A little more than a month later, Perkins died on 21 March 2011 at his home in Austin. At the time of his death, the musician had more than 20 performances booked for 2011. Shortly before that, while discussing his late career resurgence with an interviewer, he conceded, "I can't play piano like I used to either. I used to have bass rolling like thunder. I can't do that no more. But I ask the Lord, please forgive me for the stuff I done trying to make a nickel." Along with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, he was one of the last two original Mississippi Delta blues musicians, and also one of the last to have a personal knowledge of, and friendship with, Robert Johnson.
Selected discography
1976: Boogie Woogie King (recorded 1976, released 1992)
1977: Hard Again (Muddy Waters)
1988: After Hours
1992: Pinetop Perkins with the Blue Ice Band
1992: On Top
1993: Portrait of a Delta Bluesman
1995: Live Top (with the Blue Flames)
1996: Eye to Eye (with Ronnie Earl, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones)[9]
1997: Born in the Delta
1998: Sweet Black Angel
1998: Legends (with Hubert Sumlin)
1998: Down In Mississippi
1999: Live at 85! (with George Kilby Jr)
2000: Back On Top
2003: Heritage of the Blues: The Complete Hightone Sessions
2003: All Star Blues Jam (with Bob Margolin et al.)
2003: 8 Hands on 88 Keys - Chicago Blues Piano Masters The Sirens Records
2004: Ladies Man
2007: 10 Days Out: Blues From The Backroads (with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and the Muddy Waters Band—Live)
2008: Pinetop Perkins and Friends
2010: Joined At the Hip (with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith)
2012: Heaven (with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on one track and liner notes by Justin O'Brien)
Take It Easy Baby
Pinetop Perkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Summers Gone And I Can't Recall That I Saw
A Shining Sun In The Sky.
Then The Winter Comes,
I Am Occupied Buying Things For My Child,
When I'm Done It Is Gone.
Please Come Back!
Take It Easy, Everyone Should Take It Easy.
Take It Easy, Everyone Should Take It Easy.
You Got To Slow Down Before It Is Too Late.
To Stresses And Strains Of Modern Life Say No.
Years Are Passing By,
I Can't Hear Anymore, Wrinkles Are Blooming Now
And My Hair's Getting White.
Then I Fade Away,
Getting Old And Sick, All I Remember Now
Is The Smell Of The Strain.
CHORUS
Move Your Body, Hurry Up Now;
I've Got No Time To Waste.
I'm So Busy, Get A Move On,
Must Be In Time For Tea.
I Must Be There!
CHORUS
Pinetop Perkins's song "Take It Easy Baby" speaks to the fast-paced nature of modern life and the urge to slow down and enjoy the present moment. Through the lyrics, Perkins reflects on the passing of time and regrets not taking the time to appreciate the little things in life. The first verse speaks to the passing of seasons and the lack of a shining sun in the sky, indicating a feeling of sadness or emptiness. The second verse focuses on the process of getting older and the fading away of life. The chorus emphasizes the need to slow down and take it easy before it is too late, to say no to the stresses and strains of modern life.
The lyrics of "Take It Easy Baby" are a reminder to live life in the moment and not take things for granted. The fast pace of modern life can lead to a lack of appreciation for the things that truly matter. The song's message is especially poignant given the context of Perkins's life - he lived to the age of 97 and continued making music until his death in 2011. His longevity can be attributed to his easy-going nature and the ability to slow down and appreciate life.
Overall, "Take It Easy Baby" is a thought-provoking and insightful song that speaks to the importance of taking a step back and enjoying the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Seasons Passing By,
Time is constantly moving forward, with one season following another.
Summers Gone And I Can't Recall That I Saw
A Shining Sun In The Sky.
The passage of time seems to make it difficult to remember specific details about past events.
Then The Winter Comes,
I Am Occupied Buying Things For My Child,
When I'm Done It Is Gone.
Winter can be a busy time, especially for parents who need to purchase gifts for their children. However, it also feels like the season passes quickly without being fully enjoyed.
Please Come Back!
A plea for something that has already passed or cannot be regained, perhaps time or a specific experience.
Take It Easy, Everyone Should Take It Easy.
You Got To Slow Down, Everyone Should Calm Down.
Advice to relax and take things at a slower pace as a way to have a more enjoyable life.
To Stresses And Strains Of Modern Life Say No.
Encouragement to ignore the negative effects of modern life and to focus on enjoying the present.
Years Are Passing By,
I Can't Hear Anymore, Wrinkles Are Blooming Now
And My Hair's Getting White.
The aging process is impacting the singer's senses and appearance.
Then I Fade Away,
Getting Old And Sick, All I Remember Now
Is The Smell Of The Strain.
The eventual end of life and a focus on one specific memory.
Move Your Body, Hurry Up Now;
I've Got No Time To Waste.
I'm So Busy, Get A Move On,
Must Be In Time For Tea.
I Must Be There!
A sense of urgency to complete tasks and meet deadlines, perhaps at the expense of enjoying moments in between.
CHORUS
Repeating the same advice and sentiment to take things easy and slow down.
Writer(s): SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
Contributed by Reagan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.