Rufus Thomas (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was a rhythm and blues an… Read Full Bio ↴Rufus Thomas (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was a rhythm and blues and soul singer from Memphis, Tennessee, United States, who recorded on Sun Records in the 1950s and on Stax Records in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the father of soul singer Carla Thomas (best known for the classic song "B-A-B-Y") and keyboard player Marvell Thomas. A third daughter, Vaneese, a former French teacher, for years had a recording studio in upstate New York where she sang for television commercials.

The above biography taken from: Wikipedia - Rufus Thomas

The Crown Prince of Dance; an early rock & roll DJ, Memphis soul icon and creator of the Funky Chicken.

Artist Biography (below) by Richie Unterberger

Few of rock & roll's founding figures are as likable as Rufus Thomas. From the 1940s onward, he has personified Memphis music; his small but witty cameo role in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train, a film which satirizes and enshrines the city's role in popular culture, was entirely appropriate. As a recording artist, he wasn't a major innovator, but he could always be depended upon for some good, silly, and/or outrageous fun with his soul dance tunes. He was one of the few rock or soul stars to reach his commercial and artistic peak in middle age, and was a crucial mentor to many important Memphis blues, rock, and soul musicians.

Thomas was already a professional entertainer in the mid-'30s, when he was a comedian with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. He recorded music as early as 1941, but really made his mark on the Memphis music scene as a deejay on WDIA, one of the few black-owned stations of the era. He also ran talent shows on Memphis' famous Beale Street that helped showcase the emerging skills of such influential figures as B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, and Roscoe Gordon.

Thomas had his first success as a recording artist in 1953 with "Bear Cat," a funny answer record to Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog." It made number three on the R&B charts, giving Sun Records its first national hit, though some of the sweetness went out of the triumph after Sun owner Sam Phillips lost a lawsuit for plagiarizing the original Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller tune. Thomas, strangely, would make only one other record for Sun, and recorded only sporadically throughout the rest of the 1950s.

Thomas and his daughter Carla would become the first stars for the Stax label, for whom they recorded a duet in 1959, "'Cause I Love You" (when the company was still known as Satellite). In the '60s, Carla would become one of Stax's biggest stars. On his own, Rufus wasn't as successful as his daughter, but issued a steady stream of decent dance/novelty singles.

These were not deep or emotional statements, or meant to be. Vaguely prefiguring elements of funk, the accent was on the stripped-down groove and Rufus' good-time vocals, which didn't take himself or anything seriously. The biggest by far was "Walking the Dog," which made the Top Ten in 1963, and was covered by the Rolling Stones on their first album.

Thomas hit his commercial peak in the early '70s, when "Do the Funky Chicken," "(Do The) Push and Pull," and "The Breakdown" all made the R&B Top Five. As the song titles themselves make clear, funk was now driving his sound rather than blues or soul. Thomas drew upon his vaudeville background to put them over on-stage with fancy footwork that displayed remarkable agility for a man well into his 50s. The collapse of the Stax label in the mid-'70s meant the end of his career, basically, as it did for many other artists with the company. In 2001, Rufus Thomas was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Later that year, on December 15, he died at St. Francis hospital in Memphis, TN.

The above biography taken from: All Music Biography - Rufus Thomas by Richie Unterberger

I'm Steady Holdin' On
Rufus Thomas Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got a new kind of loving
That other men can't catch on
I've got a new kind of loving
That other men can't catch on
While they're losing out
I'm steady holdin' on

I was born in the country

Round by down the line
I was born in the country
Round by down the line
I ain't never had no complaints
Bout this new kind of love of mine

The girls say it's just like honey
That come from the honey bee
It will make you blow your top
Set your heart and soul at ease

Talking about my loving
That other men can't catch on
While they're losing out
I'm steady holdin' on

The girls say it's just like honey
That come from the honey bee
It will make you blow your top
Set your heart and soul at ease

Talking about my loving
That other men can't catch on

While they're losing out
I'm steady holdin' on

Overall Meaning

In Rufus Thomas's song "I'm Steady Holdin' On," the lyrics express the singer's confidence in his unique and exceptional kind of love. He believes that other men cannot understand or capture the essence of this love that he possesses. While they may be missing out on this special connection, he remains steadfast in holding onto it.

The opening lines suggest that the singer has discovered a new and extraordinary form of love that sets him apart from other men. This love is elusive and difficult for others to comprehend, giving the singer a sense of superiority or uniqueness. He takes pride in possessing this love that is out of reach for others.

The second verse reveals a bit about the singer's background, mentioning that he was born in the country. This reference to his rural upbringing adds a layer of authenticity to his claims about his extraordinary love. He asserts that he has never encountered any dissatisfaction or complaints about this love, further emphasizing its exceptional nature.

The subsequent lines make a comparison between the singer's love and the sweetness of honey. The girls, possibly referring to the women he has been involved with, describe his love as intoxicating and satisfying, similar to the pleasure derived from honey. This love has the power to ignite passion and bring peace to the heart and soul.

Overall, the lyrics of "I'm Steady Holdin' On" convey the singer's pride in possessing a unique and irresistible love that others cannot comprehend. While others might miss out on this extraordinary connection, the singer remains resolute in holding onto it and cherishing its unparalleled qualities.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got a new kind of loving
I possess a unique and extraordinary love

That other men can't catch on
Which other men fail to understand or comprehend

While they're losing out
As they miss out on this remarkable love

I'm steady holdin' on
I am steadfastly committed and devoted to this love

I was born in the country
I originate from a rural area

Round by down the line
Somewhere along the way

I ain't never had no complaints
I have never received any grievances

Bout this new kind of love of mine
Regarding this newfound love I possess

The girls say it's just like honey
Women describe it as sweetness like honey

That come from the honey bee
Similar to the honey produced by bees

It will make you blow your top
It has the power to fill you with intense joy and excitement