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.
I Like Your Style
Syl Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
could this be true
could you be that someone, i can run to...
everyday, i find myself say
this couldnt be the day but, baby i found u...
been searching for someone like u
been searching for someone to call my own...
i believe it in the dark, but this is love and u have made it start...
been waiting for, someone like u to come my way...
The lyrics to Syl Johnson's song "I Like Your Style" capture the feelings of a person who has finally found love after searching for someone to call their own. The song explores the idea that love is a deep and profound emotion that can be hard to find, but when it's found, it fills the heart with joy and happiness.
The opening lines of the song, "could this be love, could this be true, could you be that someone, I can run to" signify the initial doubts and uncertainties that often come with a new relationship. The singer wonders if their feelings are genuine and if this person could be "the one" they've been searching for. But as the song progresses, the doubts begin to fade and the person realizes that they have indeed found the love they've been searching for.
The chorus, "everyday, I find myself say this couldn't be the day, but baby I found you" symbolizes the surprise and disbelief that often comes with finding love unexpectedly. The person is amazed that they have finally found someone they can truly love and cherish, and they take a moment to revel in the wonder of it all.
Overall, "I Like Your Style" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that celebrates the power of love and its ability to transform and enrich our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
could this be love
I am wondering if the feelings I have for you are love
could this be true
I am questioning if what I am feeling for you is real
could you be that someone, i can run to...
I am hoping that you are the person I can always turn to for comfort and support
everyday, i find myself say
Every day, I catch myself saying
this couldnt be the day but, baby i found u...
I didn't expect to find love today, but unexpectedly I found you
been searching for someone like u
I have been actively seeking a person like you in my life
been searching for someone to call my own...
I have been searching for someone special to be exclusively mine
its not everyday i can feel this way.
It's not common for me to experience such strong emotions
i believe it in the dark, but this is love and u have made it start...
I have recognized my love for you in moments of vulnerability and you are the reason that love began for me
been waiting for, someone like u to come my way...
I have been patiently waiting for someone like you to enter my life
Contributed by Molly H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.