Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Hawkins studied classical piano as a child and learned guitar in his twenties. His initial goal was to become an opera singer (Hawkins has cited Paul Robeson as his musical idol in interviews), but when his initial ambitions failed he began his career as a conventional blues singer and pianist.
Hawkins was an avid and formidable boxer. In 1949, he was the middleweight boxing champion of Alaska.
In 1951, Hawkins joined guitarist Tiny Grimes's band, and was subsequently featured on some of Grimes's recordings. When Hawkins became a solo performer, he often performed in a stylish wardrobe of leopard skins, red leather and wild hats.
His most successful recording, "I Put a Spell on You" (1956), was selected as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. According to the AllMusic Guide to the Blues, "Hawkins originally envisioned the tune as a refined ballad." The entire band was intoxicated during a recording session where "Hawkins screamed, grunted, and gurgled his way through the tune with utter drunken abandon." The resulting performance was no ballad but instead a "raw, guttural track" that became his greatest commercial success and reportedly surpassed a million copies in sales, although it failed to make the Billboard pop or R&B charts.
The performance was mesmerizing, although Hawkins himself blacked out and was unable to remember the session. Afterward he had to relearn the song from the recorded version. Meanwhile the record label released a second version of the single, removing most of the grunts that had embellished the original performance; this was in response to complaints about the recording's overt sexuality. Nonetheless it was banned from radio in some areas.
Soon after the release of "I Put a Spell on You", radio disc jockey Alan Freed offered Hawkins $300 to emerge from a coffin onstage. Hawkins accepted and soon created an outlandish stage persona in which performances began with the coffin and included "gold and leopard skin costumes and notable voodoo stage props, such as his smoking skull on a stick – named Henry – and rubber snakes." These props were suggestive of voodoo, but also presented with comic overtones that invited comparison to "a black Vincent Price."
He continued to tour and record through the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Europe, where he was very popular. He appeared in performance (as himself) in the Alan Freed bio-pic American Hot Wax in 1978. Subsequently, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch featured "I Put a Spell on You" on the soundtrack – and deep in the plot – of his film Stranger Than Paradise (1983) and then Hawkins himself as a hotel night clerk in his Mystery Train and in roles in Álex de la Iglesia's Perdita Durango and Bill Duke's adaptation of Chester Himes' A Rage in Harlem.
His 1957 single "Frenzy" (found on the early 1980s compilation of the same name) was included in the compilation CD, Songs in the Key of X: Music from and Inspired by the X-Files, in 1996. This song was featured in the show's Season 2 episode "Humbug". It was also covered by the band Batmobile. "I Put a Spell on You" was featured during the show and over the credits of Episode 303 of The Simpsons.
In 1983, Hawkins relocated to the New York area. In 1984 and 1985, Hawkins collaborated with garage rockers The Fuzztones, resulting in "Screamin' Jay Hawkins and The Fuzztones Live" album recorded at Irving Plaza in December 1984. They perform in the 1986 movie Joey.
In July 1991, Hawkins released his album Black Music for White People. The record features covers of two Tom Waits compositions: "Heart Attack and Vine" (which, later that year, was used in a European Levi's advertisement without Waits' permission, resulting in a lawsuit), and "Ice Cream Man" (which, contrary to popular belief, is a Waits original, and not a cover of the John Brim classic). Hawkins also covered the Waits song, "Whistlin' Past the Graveyard", for his album Somethin' Funny Goin' On. In 1993, his version of "Heart Attack and Vine" became his only UK hit, reaching #42 on the UK singles chart.
When Dread Zeppelin recorded their "disco" album, It's Not Unusual in 1992, producer Jah Paul Jo asked Hawkins to guest. He performed the songs "Jungle Boogie" and "Disco Inferno".
Hawkins also toured with The Clash and Nick Cave during this period, and not only became a fixture of blues festivals, but appeared at many film festivals as well, including the Telluride Film Festival premier of Mystery Train.
Hawkins died on February 12, 2000 after surgery to treat an aneurysm. He left behind many children by many women; an estimated 55 at the time of his death, and upon investigation, that number "soon became perhaps 75 offspring".
Although Hawkins was not a major success as a recording artist, his highly theatrical performances from "I Put a Spell On You" onward earned him a steady career as a live performer for decades afterward, and influenced subsequent acts. He opened for Fats Domino, Tiny Grimes and the Rolling Stones. This exposure in turn influenced rock groups such as The Cramps, Screaming Lord Sutch, Black Sabbath, Arthur Brown, Dread Zeppelin, The Horrors, Marilyn Manson, Tom Waits, Alice Cooper and Glenn Danzig.
Hong Kong
Screamin' Jay Hawkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[untranscribable fantasy chinese:] mnja njung
My Baby was dooooooooooown in Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnnnnng
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng...ijajio magiau
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng...bimiau miagmiau
It's bad to be alooooooooooonnnne...baumiaamibau-miaaa
In Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnnnnng!
You've been down too loooooooonnnnnng!
Worry 'bout you, babyyyyyyyyyyy!
You've been down too loooooooonnnnnng!
Hong Kooooonnnnnnnng...bling blang bung bling bing bla blu blub
Hong Kooooonnnnnnnng...babliblibliamunbladaiiii-jajung
It's bad to be aloooooooooonnnne!
Habu dibu doba
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng
Habu dibu dubu dabu da
Hong Kooonnnnnnnnnng
I abuja gjiaa
Siggi kameing
Hojijaba
Mogu bipain
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng!
Et-fujoun
Siggi kameing
Sab-dubjii
Huaggjiabbugjiia
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng!
Bibbjiabubbljia
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng!
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng!!!
HONG KOOOONNNNNNNNNNG!!!
WUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!
Siabluhiabjliubliabulia
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng!
The lyrics to Screamin' Jay Hawkins's song "Hong Kong" are largely nonsensical, containing a mix of English, Chinese-sounding syllables, and made-up words. However, some of the lines suggest a story or emotional state. The singer is standing on a street corner in Hong Kong, feeling lonely and worried about a baby who has been "down too long." Despite the gibberish in the chorus, the phrase "It's bad to be alone" reinforces the theme of loneliness and perhaps lost love.
The chaotic mix of languages and sounds in "Hong Kong" may reflect Hawkins's interest in voodoo and otherworldly themes. He was known for his wild stage performances, which included wearing a bone necklace and carrying a skull on a stick. The song's nonsensical lyrics were likely intended to convey a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. However, the themes of loneliness and worry are relatable and grounded, even as the singer's surroundings and emotions are fantastical.
Overall, "Hong Kong" is a strange but fascinating song that showcases Hawkins's unique style and flair. Its odd blend of languages and sounds may not make logical sense, but it succeeds in creating a hypnotic and eerie atmosphere.
Line by Line Meaning
Standin' on the corneeeeeeeeer in Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnnnnng...
I'm standing on a street corner in Hong Kong, the bustling city calls to me
[untranscribable fantasy chinese:] mnja njung
The sounds of the city are all around me, from street vendors to pedestrians
My Baby was dooooooooooown in Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnnnn
My lover is in Hong Kong, far from me
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng...ijajio magiau
Hong Kong is a city full of life, with its own unique energy that inspires me
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng...bimiau miagmiau
With its bright lights and lively atmosphere, Hong Kong is a place that beckons me in
It's bad to be alooooooooooonnnne...baumiaamibau-miaaa
Being alone in Hong Kong can be isolating and difficult
In Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnnnnng!
But I can't resist the allure of this city, I need to be here
WORRY! Worries 'bout you babyyyyyyyyyy!!!
I'm worried about my lover, who is so far away from me
You've been down too loooooooonnnnnng!
My lover has been struggling and I'm concerned for their well-being
Hong Kooooonnnnnnnng...bling blang bung bling bing bla blu blub
The city is filled with sights and sounds that amaze me and keep me interested
Hong Kooooonnnnnnnng...babliblibliamunbladaiiii-jajung
I can't help but get lost in the excitement and energy of Hong Kong
It's bad to be aloooooooooonnnne!
Despite my love for this city, being alone here can be tough
Habu dibu doba
The city hums with life
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng
Hong Kong is the center of it all
Habu dibu dubu dabu da
I can feel the energy pulsing through my veins
Hong Kooonnnnnnnnnng
Nothing can compare to the thrill of being in Hong Kong
I abuja gjiaa
The city is alive with excitement
Siggi kameing
From the hustle and bustle of the markets to the roar of traffic
Hojijaba
The city is full of life and motion
Mogu bipain
I can't get enough of this place
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng!
I'm drawn to the city's energy like a moth to a flame
Et-fujoun
The city never sleeps
Siggi kameing
There's always something to see and do in Hong Kong
Sab-dubjii
From the skyscrapers to the street food, Hong Kong is an incredible place
Huaggjiabbugjiia
It's full of life, love, and adventure
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnng!
Hong Kong is my everything
Bibbjiabubbljia
I can't help but get caught up in the magic of it all
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng!
This city has everything I need to feel alive and inspired
HONG KOOOONNNNNNNNNNG!!!
Hong Kong is my home, my heart, my soul
WUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!
I'm overwhelmed with emotion whenever I'm in this city
Siabluhiabjliubliabulia
Hong Kong is like a dream come true
Hong Koooonnnnnnnnnng!
I'll always be drawn back to this incredible city
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, LARK MUSIC INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IRVING NAHAN, JAY HAWKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dominiquecharriere1285
I lived 5.5 year in HK, his Cantonese is spot on, I used to speak the same way. He just misses the aaaah and laaah at the end of the sentences but the rest is perfect! I'm impressed Screaming Jay could speak soany languages!
@steveconn
Yeah, Keitel listening to this with his shirt off and sweating on his room, examining photos in "Smoke." Great scene.
@Der0Nibelung
The lyrics are fantastic! If political incorrectness was an olympic sport, you'd win gold =)
@cliffbernzweig2621
PC Cops: "Dr. Seuss is super racist against Asians."
Screamin Jay: "Hold my skull chalice..."
@JavierAlfonsoDG
Damm that's really great... He's amazing singer
@TheEldonfitz
I'm watching a travel show about Hong Kong and, thought of my favorite song. I listened and the world is now Back in Balance. Thank you
@gladestino1969
.EVERY TIME VISIT THIS PAGE, I CANT SAY ONE MORE TIME..--7858436732547 TIMES --...THANKS FOR THE LYRICS..!!!..IT WAS A DREAM FOR ME,20 YEARS AGO,TO FIND THESE WORDS..!!!!!
@joemalone3099
wow What a genious...we dont make anymore this staure...
@trailblazing2576
Now I feel like im in Hong Kong
@moistveggies7528
Love that saxophone