Slim Harpo (11 January 1924 – 31 January 1970) was a blues musician.
Read Full Bio ↴Slim Harpo (11 January 1924 – 31 January 1970) was a blues musician.

Born James Moore in Lobdel, Louisiana, the eldest in an orphaned family, Moore worked as a longshoreman and building worker during the late 1930s and early 1940s. One of the foremost proponents of post-war rural blues, he began performing in Baton Rouge bars under the name Harmonica Slim. He later accompanied Lightning Slim, his brother-in-law, both live and in the studio, before commencing his own recording career in 1957.

Named Slim Harpo by producer Jay Miller, the artist's solo debut coupled "I'm A King Bee" with "I Got Love If You Want It". Influenced by Jimmy Reed, he began recording for Excello and enjoyed a string of popular R&B singles which combined a drawling vocal with incisive harmonica passages. Among them were "Rainin' In My Heart" (1961), "I Love The Life I Live", "Buzzin'" (instrumental) and "Little Queen Bee" (1964). On these hits he was accompanied by understated electric backing from the regular stable of Excello musicians — including Lazy Lester, whom Harpo influenced.

The singer was known as one of the masters of the blues harmonica; the name "Slim Harpo" was a humorous takeoff on "slim harp," the popular nickname for the harmonica in blues circles.

Harpo was the point man of the 1950s Louisiana Swamp/Blues movement. Harpo, along with Lightning Slim, Lazy Lester, Lonesome Sundown, and a dozen other downhome artists recorded for A&R man J.D. Miller in Crowley, Louisiana. The records were then issued on the Excello label, based in Nashville.

Harpo's relaxed, almost lazy, performances set the tone for his subsequent work. His warm, languid voice enhanced the sexual metaphor of "I'm A King Bee", which was later recorded by the Rolling Stones. The same group also covered the pulsating "Shake Your Hips", which Harpo first issued in 1966, while the Pretty Things, the Yardbirds and Them featured versions of his songs in their early repertoires. Later, the riff from Harpo's hit "Shake Your Hips" was used in the ZZ Top hit "La Grange," and the Rolling Stones covered the song on their 1972 album, Exile On Main Street. Harpo enjoyed a notable US Top 20 pop hit in 1966 with "Baby Scratch My Back" (also a number 1 R&B hit), which revitalized his career.

Never a full-time musician, Harpo had his own trucking business during the 1960s, although he was a popular figure in the late 1960s blues revival, with appearances at several renowned venues including the Electric Circus and the Fillmore East. He died unexpectedly of a heart attack on 31 January 1970 at the age of 46, and was buried in Mulatto Bend Cemetery in Port Allen, Louisiana.

Tip On In
Slim Harpo Lyrics

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Ooh, lay it on me, baby
Don't stop now
Let your hair down, baby
We ain't goin' to heaven, nohow
I'm ready to burn, baby
Right here and now

Whoa, I dig those crazy clothes

Let me feel those fishnet hose
Cut low at the top
And high at the bottom
In fact
I don't see how we ever did without 'em

Now, there's a place down the street
They call 'The Tippin' Inn'
Let's walk on down there, baby
That's where the fun begin
But let me check you just one mo' time

Mmm-mm!

You know you sends me, baby
Let's go on in here

Now, sock it to me!

Ooo-wee!

You know this gettin' good to me, now?

Aaw, shuck!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Slim Harpo's song "Tip On In Part 1" are all about letting go and having fun. The song opens with an invitation to the listener to indulge and let loose. The line "Don't stop now" sets the tone for the rest of the song, encouraging the listener to let their hair down and enjoy the moment. The line "We ain't goin' to heaven, nohow" may be interpreted as a reminder that life is short, and we should enjoy ourselves while we can.

The second verse is playful and flirtatious. The singer is admiring and appreciating their partner's clothing and appearance, particularly the fishnet hose. The lyrics indicate that the singer considers these clothes essential and cannot imagine living without them. The lyrics make it seem like the singer is enjoying the moment and letting loose.

The third verse introduces the setting for the song, which is a place called "The Tippin' Inn." The singer is suggesting going to this location to have fun and enjoy themselves. Before making this move, the singer wants to check on their partner one more time to make sure they're 100% ready for a good time. The song ends with the suggestion to "sock it" to the singer; this line implies that the singer is ready for more and is not yet satiated.

Line by Line Meaning

Ooh, lay it on me, baby
I want you to keep doing whatever you're doing to me

Don't stop now
Keep going, don't stop the pleasure

Let your hair down, baby
Relax and let yourself feel good

We ain't goin' to heaven, nohow
We're not worried about the consequences of our actions

I'm ready to burn, baby
I'm ready to engage in some intense and passionate activity

Whoa, I dig those crazy clothes
I find your unconventional clothing attractive

Let me feel those fishnet hose
Let me touch and explore your stockings

Cut low at the top
The stockings have a low-cut design at the top

And high at the bottom
The stockings have a high-cut design at the bottom

In fact
Actually

I don't see how we ever did without 'em
I can't believe we didn't appreciate these stockings before