He was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Ukiah. He taught himself guitar when he was 13 and considered his first influence to be Mike Bloomfield. At 18 he moved to San Francisco to form the Charles Ford Blues Band (named after his father, who was also a guitarist) featuring his brothers Mark (mouth harp) and Patrick (drums).
Robben was soon hired to play with Charles Musselwhite for nine months. Robben Ford played with Jimmy Witherspoon (1972-1973), the L.A. Express with Tom Scott (1974), George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. In 1977 he was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, which he stayed with until 1983, simultaneously having a solo career and working as a session guitarist.
In 1986, Ford toured with Miles Davis and he had two separate periods (1985 and 1987) with Sadao Watanabe, but he seemed to really find himself in 1992 when he returned to his roots: the blues. Ford formed a new group, the Blue Line, and subsequently recorded a couple of blues-rock dates for Stretch that are among the finest of his career. In 1999, he released Sunrise on Rhino and Supernatural on Blue Thumb. Ford signed to the Concord Jazz label in 2002 and released Blue Moon that same year, followed by Keep on Running in 2003 and Truth in 2007. Robben Ford whilst continuing to record solo albums has been touring in 2007 with guitar legend Larry Carlton.
Lovin' Cup
Robben Ford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're sittin' there drinkin' from that lovin' cup
Won't you tell me somebody what can I do
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
You don't wash your hair, you don't wash your clothes
Won't you tell me somebody what can I do
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
You could be downtown workin' makin' lots of money
Instead of walkin' these streets baby actin' funny
Won't you tell me somebody what can I do
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
Won't you tell me honey I can have a taste
Cause you're lettin' that good thing go to waste
Won't you tell me somebody what can I do
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
The lyrics of Robben Ford's song "Lovin' Cup" express a desire for something that the singer sees in another person. The "lovin' cup" is a metaphor for the love and affection that the other person seems to possess, and the singer wants to experience it for himself. The first verse sets the scene in the morning, with the other person already drinking from the cup. The singer is asking for advice, wondering what he can do to get a taste of that love too.
In the second verse, the singer describes the other person's appearance, suggesting that they are not concerned with their personal hygiene or appearance. The message is clear: the other person is not perfect, but the singer still wants what they have. The third verse suggests that the other person is not taking advantage of their potential and could be making more money if they chose to. The singer is still fixated on getting a sip of that "lovin' cup".
Overall, the song is a commentary on the power of love and the desire that it can inspire. The singer sees something in the other person that he wants for himself and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning when the sun come up
At the break of day, when the sun rises
You're sittin' there drinkin' from that lovin' cup
You're enjoying a pleasurable experience
Won't you tell me somebody what can I do
Can you please advise me on a helpful course of action
Honey, I wanna drink from that lovin' cup, too
I also desire to partake in that enjoyable experience
You don't wash your hair, you don't wash your clothes
You have a carefree attitude and neglect personal hygiene
What else you don't do baby nobody knows
Your eccentricities are unknown and mysterious
You could be downtown workin' makin' lots of money
You have potential to earn a decent income in the city
Instead of walkin' these streets baby actin' funny
Instead of wandering aimlessly and displaying odd behavior
Won't you tell me honey I can have a taste
Can you possibly permit me to experience a sample
Cause you're lettin' that good thing go to waste
You are neglecting or squandering a valuable asset or opportunity
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL BUTTERFIELD, PAUL V. BUTTERFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind