He was born in 1942 in Osceola, Arkansas where his father, Jim "Son" Seals, owned a small club. He began performing professionally by the age of 13, first as a drummer and later as a guitarist. In 1959, he formed his own band which performed locally and he also toured with Albert King.[1]
In 1971, he moved to Chicago. His career took off after he was discovered by Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records at the Flamingo Club in Chicago's South Side. His debut, Son Seals, was released in 1973. The album included "Your Love Is Like a Cancer" and "Hot Sauce". Seals followed up with 1976's Midnight Son and 1978's Live and Burning. He continued releasing albums throughout the next two decades. He received the W.C. Handy Award, an honor for best blues recording of the year, in 1985, 1987, and 2001.
Author Andrew Vachss was a friend of Seals, and used his influence to promote Seals' music. Vachss gave Seals several cameo appearances in his novels[2] and co-wrote songs with him for his 2000 album, Lettin' Go.[3] Vachss dedicated the novel Mask Market to Seals' memory.[4]
Son had a host of troubles to deal with over his life. He survived all but one of his 14 siblings; he himself was shot twice in the face by his ex-wife, which required extensive surgeries. One of his legs was amputated, due to complications from diabetes. He lost belongings in a fire that destroyed his home while he was away performing live, and several of his prize guitars were stolen from his home. [5]
The band Phish performed Son's song "Funky Bitch" throughout their career and brought him on stage on multiple occasions, turning a whole new generation on to his music.
Seals died from complications of diabetes; he was survived by his sister and fourteen children.[6]
Funky Bitch
Son Seals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the album Son Seals, Live And Burning
Now every time I see her, Lord, she wearing those fancy clothes
Every time I see her, now, Lord, she wearing those fancy clothes
It took up all of my money
And now she threw poor me outdoors
I said, Lord, now I am stranded, I ain't got nowhere to go
I′m a damn bad condition, now, boy
Because of a lowdown, dirty -------
Lord, now I'm stranded, boy, and ain't got nowhere to go
I said, Lord, boy, I′m stranded now, Lord ain′t got nowhere to go
I'm in a damn bad condition, now boy
Because of a lowdown, dirty -------
And every time I see her, Lord she riding all the guys around
I said every time I see her now, boy, she riding all the guys around
When all her money has gone
Boy, they gonna put her down
The lyrics to Son Seals's song "Funky Bitch" tell a story of a man who is infatuated with a woman who consistently wears expensive and flashy clothes. However, this woman's expensive tastes have drained the man of his money, leading to him being thrown out (presumably out of his home). He finds himself stranded with nowhere to go and in a dire situation.
The lyrics convey the man's frustration and anger towards this woman who has taken advantage of him financially. He refers to her as a "lowdown, dirty -----" indicating that she has tricked and betrayed him. The repetition of the line "Now I'm stranded, Lord I ain't got nowhere to go" emphasizes the man's desperation and feeling of hopelessness.
Furthermore, the lyrics highlight the woman's promiscuity as she is depicted "riding all the guys around." This further adds to the man's bitterness and resentment towards her. The lyrics suggest that once her money runs out, those men who were attracted to her for materialistic reasons will abandon her.
Overall, "Funky Bitch" is a blues song that explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the consequences of materialistic desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Now every time I see her, Lord, she wearing those fancy clothes
Every time I encounter her, she is dressed in extravagant garments
It took up all of my money
Her expensive taste depleted all my funds
And now she threw poor me outdoors
As a result, she expelled me from her presence
Now I am stranded, Lord I ain′t got nowhere to go
Currently, I find myself abandoned without any destination
I′m a damn bad condition, now, boy
My state is wretched and desolate, my friend
Because of a lowdown, dirty -------
Due to the deceitful and untrustworthy actions of a specific person
Lord, now I'm stranded, boy, and ain't got nowhere to go
Oh, now I am left abandoned, my friend, with no place to seek refuge
I'm in a damn bad condition, now boy
I find myself in a wretched and pitiable state, my friend
Because of a lowdown, dirty -------
Due to the deceitful and untrustworthy actions of a specific person
And every time I see her, Lord she riding all the guys around
Each time I encounter her, she is seen with various men
When all her money has gone
Once her wealth has been depleted
Boy, they gonna put her down
People will eventually criticize and reject her
Writer(s): Frank Seals
Contributed by Joseph F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sbluez6444
You can‘t get more low down than this. This just gets you moving and grooving!
@robertblood8343
This guy was so funky, & such a great bluesman.
Jam band Phish even covered this tune.
@elleskarges7636
4th most played cover they do. badass song
@SSHitMan
Son Seals was one of my favorites to see live, even saw him after his wife shot him he couldn't play guitar his arm was in a sling. Also saw him driving down the Dan Ryan one day in his Cadillac, he had personalized license plates BAD AXE... I miss seeing him play.
@chuckminzenberger7590
I love Son Seals, everyone talks about Buddy Guy, great player too no doubt, but Son! so intense and such a great tone! my favorite hands down!
@JohnR22926
Love this stuff. A real pioneer
@dougcollier7229
Great guy. He donated CD s and his guitar instruction book to a benefit I was throwing to help a cancer victim raise some funds. He didn't know the guy and couldn't recall a radio 😂 interview I did with him
@brianwright5543
Great tune!
@cjpmmd
One of the best ever, doin his thang.
@tw8454
would’ve loved to hear him do this with the allman brothers band