Although John Lee Williamson was a major blues star who had already released dozens of successful and widely influential records under the name Sonny Boy Williamson from 1937 onward, Aleck Miller would later claim to have been the first to use the name, and some blues scholars believe that Miller's assertion he was born in 1899 was a ruse to convince audiences he was old enough to have used the name before John Lee Williamson, who was born in 1914. Whatever the methodology, Miller became known as Sonny Boy Williamson.
Williamson had begun developing a following in Chicago beginning in 1953, when he appeared there as a member of Elmore James's band. In the 1960's he toured Europe during the height of the British blues craze, recording with The Yardbirds and The Animals. Accoring to the Led Zeppelin biography "Hammer of the Gods", while in England Sonny Boy set his hotel room on fire while trying to cook a rabbit in a coffee percolator.
Some of his hit songs include "Fattenin' Frogs for Snakes", "Don't Start Me To Talking" ,"Keep It To Yourself", "Your Funeral & My Trial", "Bye Bye Bird", "Nine Below Zero", "Help Me", and the infamous "Little Village", with dialogue deemed 'unsuitable for airplay' by Leonard Chess. His song "Eyesight To the Blind" was performed by The Who as a key song in their rock opera Tommy (the only song in that opus not written by a band member) and it was later covered on the Aerosmith album Honkin' on Bobo. His recording og "One Way Out" was reworked from the Elmore James original and became popularized by The Allman Brothers Band in the early 1970s.
Sonny Boy Williamson II has had a big influence on modern day blues and blues rock artists and other legendary artists, as is shown by the number of his songs that are still covered. In interviews given in the concert documentary film The Last Waltz, members of the rock & roll group The Band recount jamming with Miller prior to their initial fame as Bob Dylan's electric backing band, and making plans to hook up with Williamson as his backing band. Unfortunately, Williamson's death prevented any such plans from ever being fulfilled.
Fattening Frogs For Snakes
Sonny Boy Williamson II Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Took me a long time, to find out my mistakes
(It sho' did man)
But I bet you my bottom dollar, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes
I found out my downfall, back in nineteen and thirty
(I started checkin')
I found out my downfall, from nineteen and thirty
All right now... (solo)
Yeh it is nineteen and fifty-seven, I've got to correct all of my mistakes
Whoa man, nineteen and fifty-seven, I've got to correct all of my mistakes
I'm tellin' my friends includin' my wife and everybody else,
Not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes
The song "Fattening Frogs for Snakes" by Sonny Boy Williamson is a blues classic that deals with the theme of self-discovery and growth. In the first verse, the singer talks about how it took a long time for him to realize his mistakes. However, now he understands it and says that he won't waste his time and effort on something that doesn't make sense anymore. The phrase "fattening frogs for snakes" is an idiom that originated in the South meaning doing something for someone else without getting anything in return. In the second verse, the singer goes on to say that he discovered his mistakes back in 1930 and since then, he has been working towards correcting them. He tells all his friends and acquaintances that he won't make the same mistake again.
The song's message is about recognizing one's mistakes, learning from them, and moving forward. The singer realizes that he has been putting all his energy and time into something that doesn't benefit him. He decides to take a stand and stop wasting his resources. The song can be interpreted in various ways, but for the most part, it's about not falling for the same trap again and again.
Line by Line Meaning
It took me a long time, to find out my mistakes
I had to make many errors before I understood my fault.
Took me a long time, to find out my mistakes
It took me a considerable amount of time to finally comprehend my errors.
(It sho' did man)
(That's for sure.)
But I bet you my bottom dollar, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes
I guarantee you that I will never assist my adversaries again, no matter how compelling their pleadings may be.
I found out my downfall, back in nineteen and thirty
I became aware of my defeat during the year 1930.
(I started checkin')
(I began inspecting my actions.)
I'm tellin' all of my friends, I'm not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes
I am informing everyone I know that I will not be aiding those who pose a threat to me anymore.
All right now... (solo)
(Instrumental break)
Yeh it is nineteen and fifty-seven, I've got to correct all of my mistakes
In the year 1957, I must rectify all of my errors.
Whoa man, nineteen and fifty-seven, I've got to correct all of my mistakes
Wow, in 1957, I need to right all of my wrongs.
I'm tellin' my friends includin' my wife and everybody else,
I am informing all of my acquaintances, including my spouse and others,
Not fattenin' no more frogs for snakes
that I will no longer be assisting my enemies.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@markc5454
Sonny Boy is my all time favorite blues harp man
@donaldmorrow3096
One of my favorite examples of the wit, wisdom and crack harmonica blues of Sonny Boy Williamson (II). Even the guitar hook is that mean and hungry snake he warns about. If you're gonna learn something, learn from the very best.
@Actingskint
What a song , and what a performer . I purchased this album a long while back , mainly because my dad had it . Ive always loved the old blues style of playing . Been learning harmonica by watching all the great perform , and all the little uploads of lessons on youtube . Ive listed to this track over and over , and My Babe , but i also enjoy playing along to dont start me talking . Pop idle , AGT and all those other plastic pop creations , they really need to check in on the masters before they claim to be musicians or singers .
@bigbnelson7991
Sonny Boy at his best ya dig!🔊🎶
@informalmusic
PERFECT!!!! Thanks so much for posting!!!!!!
@bluzgrl2187
What ? No comments ? What a joy to hear this from the old Rice Miller collection !! ♥
@emilianoortega-guerrero2925
the soundtrack our lives... rock n roll yeah
@emilianoortega-guerrero2925
BLUES AWESOME
@p.davidhornik947
Oh man, I love it.
@ALBERTKING901
That sure sounds like Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums.