Louisiana Blues
Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known a… Read Full Bio ↴Savoy Brown is a British blues band formed in the 1960s, originally known as the Saveloy Brown Blues Band. Their 1969 single, Train to Nowhere (with singer Chris Youlden), was viewed by many as the last gasp of the blues scene in Great Britain. Although Savoy Brown never reached much acclaim in their home nation, they developed a loyal core following in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, the band managed to penetrate the Billboard Hot 100. Superstardom perpetually evaded them, perhaps in part because of their frequent lineup changes. Indeed, while the band is still active today, only one founding member, Kim Simmonds, has been with the band since the beginning. Guitarist "Lonesome" Dave Peverett, bassist Tony Stevens, and drummer Roger Earl went on to form Foghat. Original member and harmonica player John O'Leary is still active on the British blues circuit with The John O'Leary Band. Savoy Brown's first album, Shake Down, featured lead vocalist Bryce Portius. Portius was one of the first black blues musicians to be a part of a British rock band. Another singer, Dave Walker, would later join Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath.

Louisiana Blues
Savoy Brown Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
You know I just found out
My trouble's just begun

I'm going to New Orleans get me a Mojo Hand
I'm going to New Orleans get me a Mojo Hand
I'm gonna get you women
Right under my command

If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
I would swim to the bottom
Drink myself back up

Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
You know I just found out
My trouble's just begun

If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck




I would swim to the bottom
Drink myself back up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Savoy Brown's song Louisiana Blues speak of the singer's journey to Louisiana and his troubles that await him there. The lines "Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun" refer to the idea of leaving behind one's troubles and starting a new life in a new place. However, the following line "You know I just found out, My trouble's just begun" suggests that the singer's troubles have followed him. The song also references the use of a "Mojo Hand" to gain power over women, a powerful charm or talisman with mystical powers that is commonly used in voodoo and folk magic.


The lines "If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck, I would swim to the bottom, drink myself back up" are particularly interesting as they speak of the singer's desire for escape and indulgence. The river being whiskey suggests the idea of drowning one's sorrows, and the diving duck analogy implies a desire to escape from the world and its problems. The idea of drinking oneself back up speaks to the idea of renewal and redemption, a common theme in blues music.


Overall, the lyrics to Louisiana Blues convey a sense of restlessness and an overwhelming desire to escape from life's problems. The use of the Mojo Hand and the idea of swimming in whiskey add a mystical and exotic element to the song, further emphasizing the idea of looking for escape in the unknown.


Line by Line Meaning

Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
I am traveling to Louisiana, a place that is unknown and mysterious to me.


Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
My journey to Louisiana has only just begun, and I am already encountering trouble.


You know I just found out My trouble's just begun
I have discovered that my problems are only just starting.


I'm going to New Orleans get me a Mojo Hand
I am heading to New Orleans to acquire a Mojo Hand, a powerful talisman believed to bring good luck and success.


I'm going to New Orleans get me a Mojo Hand
With the Mojo Hand, I will be able to control women and have them do my bidding.


If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
If the river were made of whiskey, and I were a duck that dived in it,


If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
I would gladly swim to the bottom and drink myself back up again.


Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
My journey to Louisiana continues.


Going to Louisiana, baby, behind the sun
I still have much to discover in the mysterious land of Louisiana.


You know I just found out My trouble's just begun
My problems are ongoing and will not be easily overcome.


If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
If only life were as simple as diving into a river of whiskey.


If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck
Unfortunately, life is not that simple, and I must continue to face my troubles.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MUDDY WATERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Johnny 2 Badd

I'm so jealous of you guys who went to The Grande/Eastown.
I was too young. (parents)
I had friends who went all the time. Our little group were the ones in school who dug 'the locals' more than the rest.
( The 'Dukes/The 'Five/The Stooges )
They told me all about Savoy Brown though.

I finally saw them in the 2000's!
(can you believe it?)

Ok. I always hear this about Youlden being THE MAN!
Answer me this:
If you consider 'Looking In' their highest point; Are you saying it would have been EVEN BETTER with Chris?

I really don't even know your opinion of that album.
Youlden was a heavy contributor as a writer as well.

The conundrum continues:
I consider 'Street Corner Talking' one of their best as well. And, they also lost 'Lonesome' Dave on that one.

Wadda think?
Peace.
- Dave B.



All comments from YouTube:

Papa M

Savoy Brown was like a house band at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Saw them a bunch of times with this lineup. Really a feel good band. Loved Kim Simmonds and Chris Youlden, what a one-two punch they were to see. R.I.P. Kim

Johnny 2 Badd

I'm so jealous of you guys who went to The Grande/Eastown.
I was too young. (parents)
I had friends who went all the time. Our little group were the ones in school who dug 'the locals' more than the rest.
( The 'Dukes/The 'Five/The Stooges )
They told me all about Savoy Brown though.

I finally saw them in the 2000's!
(can you believe it?)

Ok. I always hear this about Youlden being THE MAN!
Answer me this:
If you consider 'Looking In' their highest point; Are you saying it would have been EVEN BETTER with Chris?

I really don't even know your opinion of that album.
Youlden was a heavy contributor as a writer as well.

The conundrum continues:
I consider 'Street Corner Talking' one of their best as well. And, they also lost 'Lonesome' Dave on that one.

Wadda think?
Peace.
- Dave B.

Papa M

@Johnny 2 Badd I liked all their music but I was just commenting on the times I saw them live in concert.

Jello Biafra

@Papa M I hear ya.
I just find it curious they would go thru so many ppl & still sound great.
Obviously, Simmonds is the common denominator.
But, I'm working this theory that Youlden was the main catalyst early on.
(& Kim grew into it with time)
Rocks On!
- Dave B.

Howard Millman

Kim Simmonds - one of the greatest guitar players ever

george henley

I agree with you. He has always been one of my favorite guitarists. Walk-in N Talkin off Skin N Bones is great too.

Peter Lisecki

The band is playing at Sellersville theater in Pa, on Friday Aug 10th. I will be there.

Peter Lisecki

Sorry, i meant Aug 20th.

stevieramo

Very underrated

sherry Maddex

Love this album

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