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]
Mother-In-Law Blues
Son Seals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was early in the mornin', I heard the rooster call for day
I looked out my window and saw my baby walk away
I cried Lord please stop her, ain't gonna get drunk no more
Yeah, I cried Lord please stop her, ain't gonna get drunk no more
I was out my window, come back baby, please don't go
I know she heard me callin', she looked back and waved her hand, yeah
I heard her tell her mother, that golfer was no good man, yeah
Watch out, watch out
Well, I was fine baby, leave her, mother held by the hand
I was fine baby, leave her mother held by the hand
I'd give anything I have to just see that little girl again
©DUCHESS MUSIC CORPORATION
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Writen by:ROBEY, DON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The lyrics of Son Seals's song "Mother-In-Law Blues" tell the sad story of a man who wakes up in the early morning to see his baby (presumably his girlfriend or wife) walking away from him. He cries out to the Lord to stop her and promises that he won't get drunk anymore, begging her to come back. He sees her look back and wave her hand before telling her mother that the golfer (presumably the man in question) was no good. The man is heartbroken and wishes to see his loved one again, despite her mother's interference.
The song captures the deep pain of a broken relationship and the sense of desperation that comes with losing someone you love. The singer's cries to the Lord suggest an element of hopelessness, as though he knows that he is fighting a losing battle. The reference to the golfer is interesting, as it is unclear whether the mother disapproved of the man solely because of his occupation or because there were other issues at play. Overall, the lyrics are a poignant reminder of the complex dynamics of love and the pain that comes with its loss.
Line by Line Meaning
It was early in the mornin', I heard the rooster call for day
The singer wakes up to the sound of a rooster crowing early in the morning.
I looked out my window and saw my baby walk away
The singer sees their significant other walking away from their home.
I cried Lord please stop her, ain't gonna get drunk no more
The singer pleads to a higher power to stop their significant other from leaving and promises to stop drinking.
I was out my window, come back baby, please don't go
The artist continues to beg their significant other not to leave.
I know she heard me callin', she looked back and waved her hand
The artist believes that their significant other hears them calling and acknowledges them before leaving.
I heard her tell her mother, that golfer was no good man, yeah
The singer overheard their significant other telling their mother that the singer is not a good person.
Well, I was fine baby, leave her, mother held by the hand
The singer claims to be okay with their significant other leaving, as long as they can see them one more time.
I'd give anything I have to just see that little girl again
The artist is willing to give up everything they have just to see their significant other one more time.
Contributed by Ella F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.