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
Reconsider Baby
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So long, oh how I hate to see you go
And the way that I will miss you
I guess you will never know
We've been together so long, to have to separate this way
We've been together so long, to have to separate this way
I'm gonna let you go ahead on babyPray that you'll come back home some day
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you have changed your mind
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you have changed your mind
Why don't you reconsider baby
Give yourself just a little more time
In the opening lines of Rufus Thomas's "Reconsider Baby," the singer expresses deep sadness at the thought of parting ways with a loved one. The repetition of "So long, oh how I hate to see you go" reflects the sense of loss and longing felt by the singer as they face the impending separation. The wistful tone and heartfelt delivery convey a profound emotion, suggesting that the bond between the singer and the departed individual holds significant meaning and value.
As the lyrics progress, the singer reflects on the shared history and connection that they have with the other person. The phrase "We've been together so long, to have to separate this way" underscores the difficulty of letting go of a relationship that has been a central aspect of their life. The singer's decision to "let you go ahead on baby" is filled with a mix of resignation and hope, as they express a desire for the person to find their way back home eventually.
The lyrics also touch upon a shift in the feelings of the loved one, with the singer acknowledging that things may have changed. The line "You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you have changed your mind" reveals a sense of disappointment and confusion on the part of the singer. Despite this, there is a plea for reconsideration and a plea for the other person to take more time to reflect on their feelings and the relationship, indicating a willingness to give the connection another chance.
Overall, "Reconsider Baby" captures the complexities of love, loss, and the yearning for reconciliation. Through soulful vocals and poignant lyrics, Rufus Thomas conveys the bittersweet experience of saying goodbye to a significant other while simultaneously holding onto hope for a possible reunion. The song's emotional depth and introspective portrayal of relationships make it a timeless piece that resonates with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of love and separation.
Line by Line Meaning
So long, oh how I hate to see you go
Farewell, it's deeply painful for me to witness your departure.
So long, oh how I hate to see you go
Goodbye once again; the sorrow of your leaving weighs heavily on my heart.
And the way that I will miss you
The profound emptiness I will feel in your absence is indescribable.
I guess you will never know
I fear you may never fully understand the depth of my longing for you.
We've been together so long, to have to separate this way
Our lengthy time together makes this painful parting all the more heartbreaking.
We've been together so long, to have to separate this way
Having shared so many moments, it’s unfortunate that we now find ourselves forced apart.
I'm gonna let you go ahead on baby
I will allow you to leave, despite my desire to hold on.
Pray that you'll come back home some day
I will remain hopeful that you might once again choose to return to me.
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you have changed your mind
You once professed your love for me, but it seems your feelings have shifted.
You said you once had loved me, but now I guess you have changed your mind
It appears the affection you once felt for me has faded or transformed.
Why don't you reconsider baby
I urge you to reflect on your decision and the love we shared.
Give yourself just a little more time
Take a moment to weigh your feelings more thoroughly before deciding to leave.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Lowell Fulson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind