One commentator noted that Burnside, along with Big Jack Johnson, Paul "Wine" Jones, Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes and James "Super Chikan" Johnson, were "present-day exponents of an edgier, electrified version of the raw, uncut Delta blues sound."
Early life and career
Burnside was born in Harmontown, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. He spent most of his life in North Mississippi, working as a sharecropper and a commercial fisherman, as well as playing guitar at weekend house parties. He was first inspired to pick up the guitar in his early twenties, after hearing the 1948 John Lee Hooker single, "Boogie Chillen" (which inspired numerous other rural bluesmen, among them Buddy Guy, to start playing). He learned music largely from Mississippi Fred McDowell, who lived nearby in an adjoining county. He also cited his cousin-in-law, Muddy Waters, as an influence.
During the 1950s, Burnside grew tired of sharecropping and moved to Chicago in the hope of finding better economic opportunities. But things did not turn out as he had hoped. Within the span of one year his father, brother, and uncle were all murdered in the city, a tragedy that Burnside would later draw upon in his work, particularly in his interpretation of Skip James's "Hard Time Killing Floor" and the talking blues "R.L.'s Story", the opening and closing tracks on Burnside's 2000 album, Wish I Was In Heaven Sitting Down.
Around 1959, he left Chicago and went back to Mississippi to work the farms and raise a family. Burnside was convicted for murder and sentenced to six months' incarceration (in Parchman Prison) for the crime. Burnside's boss at the time reputedly pulled strings to keep the murder sentence short, due to having need of Burnside's skills as a tractor driver. Burnside later said "I didn't mean to kill nobody ... I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord."
His earliest recordings were made in the late 1960s by George Mitchell and released on Arhoolie Records. Another album of acoustic material was recorded that year and little else was released before Hill Country Blues, in the early 1980s. An album's worth of singles followed, released on ethnomusicology professor Dr. David Evans' Highwater Records record label in Memphis, Tennessee.
Later life and career
In the 1990s, he began recording for the Oxford, Mississippi, label Fat Possum Records. Founded by Living Blues magazine editor Peter Redvers-Lee and Matthew Johnson, the label was dedicated to recording ageing North Mississippi bluesmen such as Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. Burnside remained with Fat Possum from that time until his death, and he usually performed with his friend and understudy, the slide guitarist Kenny Brown, with whom he began playing in 1971 and claimed as his "adopted son."
Burnside attracted the attention of Jon Spencer, the leader of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, touring and recording with this group and gaining a new audience in the process.
After the death of Kimbrough and the burning of Kimbrough's juke joint in Chulahoma, Mississippi, Burnside quit recording studio material for Fat Possum, though he did continue to tour. After a heart attack in 2001, Burnside's doctor advised him to stop drinking; Burnside did, but he reported that change left him unable to play.
Members of his large extended family continue to play blues in the Holly Springs area: grandson Cedric Burnside tours with Kenny Brown and most recently with Steve 'Lightnin' Malcolm as part of the 'Juke Joint Duo', while his son Duwayne Burnside has played guitar with the North Mississippi Allstars (Polaris; Hill Country Revue with R. L. Burnside). Duwayne's solo career began when "Duwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia" recorded "Live At the Mint" in October 1997. Members included Cedric Burnside, Eddie Batos, Joe Hill from Alien Ant Farm, and David Kimbrough, Jr. (Junior Kimbrough's son) with Duwayne's father sitting in on a few tracks. Duwayne and the Mississippi Mafia released "Under Pressure" in March 2005, which was recorded at Delta Studios in Clarksdale, Mississippi featuring Jimbo Mathus, rhythm guitar (Squirrel Nut Zippers), Roy Cunningham on drums (Stax Sessions), and Burnside's son Garry Burnside on bass guitar. In 2004, the Burnside sons opened Burnside Blues Cafe, located 30 miles southeast of Memphis at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Mississippi Highway 7 in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
In January 2006, Garry and Cedric released The Record under the moniker "Burnside Exploration".
Death
Burnside had been in declining health since heart surgery in 1999. He died at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on September 1, 2005 at the age of 78.[4] Services were held at Rust College in Holly Springs [which is also where services were held for his friend, Junior Kimbrough, who died in 1998], with burial in the Free Springs Cemetery in Harmontown. Around the time of his passing, he resided in Byhalia, Mississippi and his immediate survivors included:
His wife: Alice Mae Taylor Burnside (married 1951); died November 16, 2008
Daughters: Mildred Jean Burnside, Linda Jackson, Brenda Kay Brooks, and Pamela Denise Burnside;
Sons: Melvin Burnside, R.L. Burnside Jr., Calvin Burnside, Joseph Burnside, Daniel Burnside, Duwayne Burnside, Dexter Burnside, Garry Burnside, and Rodger Harmon
Sisters: Lucille Burnside, Verelan Burnside, and Mat Burnside
Brother: Jesse Monia
35 Grandchildren
32 Great-Grandchildren
Style
Burnside had a powerful, expressive voice and played both electric and acoustic guitars (both with a slide and without). His drone-based style was a characteristic of North Mississippi hill country blues rather than Mississippi Delta blues. Like other country blues musicians, he did not always adhere to 12- or 16-bar blues patterns, often adding extra beats according to his preference. He called this "Burnside style" and often commented that his backing musicians needed to be familiar with his style in order to be able to play along with him.
His earliest recordings, like those of John Lee Hooker, sound very similar in their vocal and instrumental style. Many of his songs do not have chord changes, but use the same chord or repeating bass line throughout, giving his music a hypnotic feel. His vocal style is characterized by a tendency to "break" into falsetto briefly (usually at the ends of long notes).
Like the bluesman T-Model Ford, Burnside utilized the stripped-down element of his music, playing up the rawness, emphasizing his image as a lifelong hard-drinking man, and singing songs of swagger and rebellion. Burnside collaborated in the late 1990s with The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion on the album A Ass Pocket of Whiskey. Consequently, he gained the attention of many within this underground music scene, cited as an influence by Hillstomp[9] and covered on record by The Immortal Lee County Killers. Burnside's "Skinny Woman" was also interpolated into the song "Busted" by fellow Fat Possum musicians The Black Keys, a band associated with the punk blues scene in their early years.
He also knew many toasts (African American narrative folk poems such as "Signifying monkey" and "Tojo Told Hitler") and frequently recited them between songs at his live concerts and on his recordings.
Selected albums
First Recordings (recorded in the late 1960s by George Mitchell; re-released by Fat Possum Records in 2003)
Too Bad Jim (produced in 1992 by Robert Palmer)
Well, Well, Well (songs and interviews from 1986-1993, released in 2001 on MC Records)
A Ass Pocket of Whiskey (1996, featuring the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion)
Mr. Wizard (1997)
Acoustic Stories (1997)
My Black Name A-Ringin' (1999)
Burnside on Burnside (a critically acclaimed 2001 live album recorded in the Crystal Ballroom on Portland, Oregon's Burnside Street)
Come On In, Wish I Was in Heaven Sitting Down, and A Bothered Mind (three albums of remixed material, often featuring guest artists, released in 1998, 2000 and 2004, respectively)
Films
Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads (1991). Directed by Robert Mugge
American Patchwork: Songs and Stories of America, part 3: "The Land Where the Blues Began" (1990). Written, directed, and produced by Alan Lomax; developed by the Association for Cultural Equity at Columbia University and Hunter College. North Carolina Public TV; A Dibb Direction production for Channel Four. This is a lightly re-edited version of "The Land Where the Blues Began" (1978) made by Alan Lomax, John Bishop, and Worth Long in Association with Mississippi Authority for Educational Television
You See Me Laughin': The Last of the Hill Country Bluesmen (2003; released by Fat Possum Records in 2005). Produced and directed by Mandy Stein. Oxford, Mississippi: Plain Jane Productions, Inc; Fat Possum Records.
In popular culture
The 2007 Samuel L. Jackson / Christina Ricci film, Black Snake Moan is infused with countless Burnside nods, including: the Reverend R. L. character and when Jackson plays the blues toward the end of the film, he thanks "Ced" and "Kenny" - Cedric Burnside (Burnside's grandson) and Kenny Brown (Burnside's "adopted son"), who were primary sidemen through the 1990s and early 2000s. Cedric and Kenny are also part of Jackson's band in the juke joint scene.
"It's Bad You Know," and "Shuck Dub" were featured in the HBO series The Sopranos.
"Got Messed Up" was featured in the FX series Rescue Me during an opening montage on Season 5 Episode 18, "Carrot".
A Burnside poster can be seen on a wall in brothers Drake and Josh's room in the Nickelodeon sitcom, Drake & Josh.
Its Bad You Know
R.L. Burnside Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do yours too
It's me her and her friend
Fuck a two on two
I seen what you have done
What is you gonna do
You feel like you in the zone
Shit it's my zone too
I don't wrestle with my issue bitch
I'm a chair thrower
I'm balling out now
And they all hair growers
Smoking on the loud
That wake 'em out their comas
I passed on so many dimes I graduated
Break me off
You want yo validation
If you get shitty
You just end up in the sanitation
You ain't bout that action
You just hella animated
You so colored
You drink out a different water fountain
Calm down or put a bomb down
I ain't got downtime
I'm tying time down
I show you how to
Put some reason to yo rhyme now
How bad do you want it baby
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it baby
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it baby
I'm out to get it
How bad do you want it now
I'm bout to get it
How bad do you want it baby
I'm out to get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's
It's Garry with two R's
One just ain't enough
I need two of everything
I'm always doing too much
Thats why I need two bitches
For the two of these nuts
And out of all ten fingers
I put two in they butts
It's getting crazy around the way
And I would have it no other
They shooting they shots at me
I ain't taking no cover
My body is teflon
And they bullets is rubber
Imma ball and keep striking
While they stuck in the gutter
I ain't got time to spare
I done spent it up
Eating up a beat
Like I'm finishing my dinner up
I chew through
When I'm in a crunch
Look I'm not only a beast
I'm a fire breathing chimera
I could make your reality feel mythical
Go and shake that ass and get dangerous
Bitch you mystical
I'm in her mind
And her spirit too
Remember this is easy street
It ain't no room for being difficult
How bad do you want it baby
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it baby
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's get it
How bad do you want it baby
I'm out to get it
How bad do you want it now
I'm bout to get it
How bad do you want it baby
I'm out to get it
How bad do you want it now
Come on let's get it
The lyrics to R.L. Burnside's song, "It's Bad You Know," are a mixture of bragging and challenging others to step up their game. The first verse starts with Burnside stating that he is doing his thing and could also do what others are doing. He mentions being with two women and not wanting to compete but rather claiming that it's his zone too. He brags about being the number one shareholder and not wrestling with his issues but rather throwing chairs when necessary. He talks about smoking cannabis and passing on many interested women but eventually graduating to a different level where he can now pick and choose. Burnside ends the verse by challenging those who are not ready for action, calling them animated and racially insinuating that they are so different that they might as well be drinking from a different water fountain.
In the second verse, Burnside begins by introducing himself with two Rs, indicating he wants more than what others have. He talks about needing two women instead of one and being able to handle both at once. He brags about having ten fingers and using two to pleasure his partners. Burnside mentions the state of the neighborhood and how he is not afraid of people trying to take shots at him. He calls himself teflon and his enemies' bullets rubber. He talks about eating up beats and being a beast at what he does. Burnside ends the verse by saying he can make reality feel mythical and encourages listeners to shake their asses and be dangerous.
Overall, the song is a display of Burnside's self-confidence and bravado towards his abilities. He is not afraid to challenge and taunt those who are not willing to compete at the same level as he is.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm doing my thing currently
I am currently living my life and doing what I want.
I do yours too
I am also willing to do what you want me to do.
It's me her and her friend
I am with two other women.
Fuck a two on two
I don't want to share any of these women with anyone else.
I seen what you have done
I have observed your behavior.
What is you gonna do
What do you plan to do about it?
You feel like you in the zone
You may feel confident.
Shit it's my zone too
But it is also my territory.
I own it baby number one share holder
I am the boss here and own the majority of something.
I don't wrestle with my issue bitch
I do not struggle with my problems.
I'm a chair thrower
If provoked, I may become violent.
I'm balling out now
I am currently enjoying my life and its pleasures.
And they all hair growers
Other men are envious of me and my success.
Smoking on the loud
I am smoking a particular type of marijuana that can stimulate the senses.
That wake 'em out their comas
It can be quite potent and may even wake up those in a coma.
I passed on so many dimes I graduated
I have had many opportunities with attractive women, but have since moved on from them.
Break me off
If you want to work with me, you will need to pay up.
You want yo validation
You are seeking approval or recognition.
If you get shitty
If you become rude or aggressive.
You just end up in the sanitation
You will be treated like garbage and disposed of like waste.
You ain't bout that action
You are not capable of taking real action.
You just hella animated
You are all talk and no action, like a cartoon character.
You so colored
You are unique or different.
You drink out a different water fountain
You are different from others and do things differently.
Calm down or put a bomb down
Calm yourself down or face the consequences of your actions.
I ain't got downtime
I do not have any free time.
I'm tying time down
I am making the most of my time and being productive.
I show you how to
I will teach you how to do something.
Put some reason to yo rhyme now
I can help you make sense of your poetry or rap lyrics.
It's Garry with two R's
My name is Garry, but spelled with two R's.
One just ain't enough
One R is not enough for me.
I need two of everything
I prefer to have two of everything.
I'm always doing too much
I tend to do more than necessary.
Thats why I need two bitches
That is why I need two women in my life.
For the two of these nuts
To satisfy both of them sexually.
And out of all ten fingers
All of my fingers combined.
I put two in they butts
I like to insert two fingers into their rectums during sex.
It's getting crazy around the way
Things are getting chaotic around here.
And I would have it no other
But I wouldn't want it any other way.
They shooting they shots at me
People are trying to come after me.
I ain't taking no cover
I am unafraid and will face my problems head-on.
My body is teflon
I am invincible.
And they bullets is rubber
Their attempts to harm me will not work.
Imma ball and keep striking
I will continue to work hard and succeed.
While they stuck in the gutter
While my enemies are left behind and struggling.
I done spent it up
I have used up all of my time or money.
Eating up a beat
I am dominating a musical beat and performing well.
Like I'm finishing my dinner up
Like I am about to finish a satisfying meal.
I chew through
I can easily overcome difficult challenges.
When I'm in a crunch
When I am in a difficult situation.
Look I'm not only a beast
I am not just strong or tough, but also intelligent and skillful.
I'm a fire breathing chimera
I am a mythical creature that is powerful and unstoppable.
I could make your reality feel mythical
I can make your life feel like a fantasy.
Go and shake that ass and get dangerous
Go be confident and take risks.
Bitch you mystical
You are unique and special.
I'm in her mind
I am influencing her thoughts and feelings.
And her spirit too
I am also influencing her spiritual well-being.
Remember this is easy street
Remember, everything will be easy from now on.
It ain't no room for being difficult
Don't make things harder than they need to be.
How bad do you want it baby
How badly do you desire success or a particular outcome?
Come on let's get it
Let's work hard and go after it.
I'm out to get it
I am actively pursuing my goals.
I'm bout to get it
I am close to achieving my goals.
Come on let's
Let's keep working and pushing forward.
Lyrics © DistroKid, TWO RS LTD
Written by: Garry Richardson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
It's bad you know.
It's bad you know.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
That Engineer blowed his whistle. The Fireman he rang his bell.
That Engineer blowed his whistle. The Fireman he rang his bell.
That Engineer blowed his whistle. The Fireman he rang his bell.
That Engineer blowed his whistle. The Fireman he rang his bell.
It's bad you know.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
She asked me why? I just went on' told her.
It's bad you know.
It's bad you know.
@willj4179
RL. I love this cab with the 427 in it. Turn it up as we roll out...We got to get there before midnight...I hope she is the one.
@kevinrice7635
Love those locomotive train songs she's steaming through
.
All the best RLBurnside..
.locomotion!!!
@robertconnelyfarr
hell yeah this is straight Mississippi groove right here 🔥🔥🔥
@user-ux6vw7ry2v
Harp tone is awesome!
@locojoe9538
Lester Butler!
@lynettekomidar2819
If this was on vinyl the track would be worn
@locojoe9538
Can’t get any deeper then this
@mitchellwaters0706
Agreed...rl was a legend..yes he was..62 year old former marine from south carolina...love him..
@GLane-xi6cc
How cool is that
Thx 4 yhat😂
@robertozambrano-mn7nk
I can't believe with all his talent and skill, Burnside has to resort to driving a taxi