Snooks Eaglin (born January 21, 1936 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died Februa… Read Full Bio ↴Snooks Eaglin (born January 21, 1936 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died February 18, 2009) was a guitarist and singer in New Orleans. His real name was Fird Eaglin, Jr. He has also been referred to as Blind Snooks Eaglin.

His vocal style is reminiscent of Ray Charles; indeed, in the 50s, when he was in his late teens, he would sometimes bill himself as "Little" Ray Charles. He is generally regarded as a New Orleans R&B artist playing a wide range of music from blues, rock 'n' roll, jazz, country to Latin music. In his early years, he also played some straight ahead acoustic blues.

His ability to play a wide range of songs and his ability to perfectly understand and make the tunes his own has earned him the nickname the "human jukebox." Eaglin has claimed in interviews that his musical repartoire to be as wide as 1,000 songs.

At live shows, he usually did not prepare set lists, and what he was about to play was totally unpredictable, even to his bandmates. He played songs that come to his head, and he also took requests from the audience.

Obituary from the AP: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNnNJ1kLZCjLZ3TEYB_EtVeNzy2QD96EBTSG0

Josephine
Snooks Eaglin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler "Woo woo woo"

I used to walk you home
I used to hold your hand
You used to use my umbrella ev'ry time it rained
You used to cry so much it was a crying shame

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"

You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.

Hello Josephine. How do you do?

Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"

Overall Meaning

The song "Josephine" by Snooks Eaglin is a sentimental and melancholy tune about lost love and the memories that come with it. The singer addresses Josephine, asking if she remembers him as he remembers her. He recounts how they used to walk home together, how she used his umbrella when it rained, and how she would cry. The chorus repeats the words "Woo woo woo," which could symbolize the sound of her laughter, a mocking sound, or simply an arbitrary phrase that held meaning between the two of them.

The second verse adds to the story by describing where Josephine used to live, near the railroad tracks. When it rained and she couldn't walk, the singer would carry her on his back. Now, looking back on these memories, there is a hint of sadness in the line "Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that." There is a sense that the reality of their past experiences doesn't quite live up to the idealized version that they may have constructed in their memories. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the nostalgia and longing for the past that the singer feels.

Line by Line Meaning

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Greeting Josephine and politely asking about her well-being.

Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
Asking Josephine if she still remembers the times they spent together.

You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo'
Reminding Josephine of her playful nature and how she used to tease him.

I used to walk you home
Recalling how he used to accompany Josephine back home after spending time together.

I used to hold your hand
Recalling how he used to offer comfort and support to Josephine.

You used to use my umbrella ev'ry time it rained
Remembering how Josephine used to rely on him during difficult situations.

You used to cry so much it was a crying shame
Recalling how Josephine used to show her vulnerability in front of him and how he felt for her.

You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
Remembering where Josephine used to live.

When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Recalling how he used to carry Josephine when she was unable to walk due to rain.

Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.
Expressing how Josephine might reframe the memory in a more positive light, despite the difficulties they faced.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS