Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 Ju… Read Full Bio ↴Syl Johnson (born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Mississippi, on 1 July 1936; died 6 February 2022 ) was an American blues and soul singer and music producer. His most successful records included "Different Strokes" (1967), "Is It Because I'm Black" (1969) and "Take Me to the River" (1975). "Different Strokes" has been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.

In the 1950s, Johnson sang and played with blues artists Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and Howlin' Wolf, before recording with Jimmy Reed for Vee-Jay in 1959. He made his solo debut that same year with Federal, a subsidiary of King Records of Cincinnati, backed by Freddie King on guitar.

He then began recording for Twinight Records of Chicago in the mid 1960s. Beginning with his first hit, Come On Sock It to Me in 1967, Johnson dominated the label as both a hitmaker and producer. His song Different Strokes, also from 1967, featured recently on the Ultimate Breaks and Beats breakbeat compilation.

Like other black songwriters of the period, several of his records at this time explored themes of African-American identity and social problems in songs including Is It Because I'm Black, which reached Number 11 in the R&B charts in 1969.

In 1971, Willie Mitchell brought Johnson to Hi Records, for whom he recorded three albums and a number of singles. Produced in Memphis with the Hi house band, these yielded music of power and enduring value, including the hits We Did It, Back for a Taste of Your Love and Take Me to the River, his biggest success, reaching Number 7 on the R&B charts in 1975. However, at Hi Johnson was always to some extent in Al Green's shadow commercially, if not artistically.

After the Hi years ended, Johnson produced two LPs for his own Shama label, the latter of which (Ms. Fine Brown Frame, 1982) was picked up for distribution by Boardwalk Records and produced Johnson's last hit record, the title cut.

Around the mid-eighies, Johnson started a fast-food fish restaurant business, and became semi-retired from performing, only making occasional appearances at blues club gigs.

In 1992, Johnson found out that his classic song "Different Strokes" have been sampled by number of rappers including Wu-Tang Clan, Hammer, and the Ghetto Boys. Stimulated by this fact, he decided to make a come back in the music business. In 1994, he released the album Back in the Game on Delmark Records. The album featured the the Hi rhythm section and his youngest daughter Syleena Johnson.

Blues guitarist and singer Jimmy Johnson, and bassist Mack Thompson, are his brothers.

Come On Home
Syl Johnson Lyrics

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You′ve been gone so long
No matter who's right
No matter who′s wrong
Come on home
Come on home
Cause that's where you belong

Every morning I say my praise

Hoping that we'll both
Get back into the race
Come on home
Come on home
Cause that′s where you belong

I know the bright lights
They glitter like gold
But girl
We ain′t getting no younger
We both are getting old
Come on home
Come on home
Cause that's where you belong

I know we both
We both broke the law
But let′s get together girl
And call it a draw
Come on home

Come on home
Cause that's where you belong oh.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Syl Johnson's song "Come On Home" are about a person who is pleading for their partner to come back home. The opening lines indicate that the partner has been gone for a long time, and the singer doesn't care who was right or wrong in the argument that caused them to leave - they just want them to return. The repetition of "come on home, come on home, cause that's where you belong" emphasizes the importance of the partner coming back home to the singer.

The second verse reveals that the singer says their prayers every morning, hoping that both of them will get back into the race of life together. The phrase "get back into the race" could refer to getting back on track with their goals and aspirations as a couple. The third verse acknowledges the temptation of the bright lights and glamour of the outside world, but ultimately suggests that the best place for the partner is back home with the singer. The last line implies that time is precious, and they shouldn't waste it apart from one another.

Come On HomeSyl Johnson Lyrics

Come On Home
Syl Johnson Lyrics