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.
Soul Drippin'
Syl Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't need no dance steps to make a noise
Don't need the word to sing it sweet
Don't need to know a beat
To get on the floor and shake your feet
Soul dripping's gotta pick you up
Soul dripping's till it fills your cup
Soul dripping's got you on the line
You'll kick the dancers that you used to know
'Cause everything now has got to go
When a part gets to you it turns you all around
You can taste the drippings of the soul some day
Soul dripping's gotta pick you up
Soul dripping's till it fills your cup
Soul dripping shake your love and mine
Soul dripping's got you on the line
Alright
C'mon, huh
Grab a girl to shake your feet
Now don't matter just a throbbing beat
Oh baby you just want to sing it out
Words don't matter just sing some day
Soul dripping's gotta pick you up
Soul dripping's till it fills your cup
Soul dripping shake your love and mine
Soul dripping's got you on the line
Soul dripping's gotta pick you up
Soul dripping's till it fills your cup
Soul dripping shake your love and mine
Soul dripping's got you on the line
The lyrics of Syl Johnson's "Soul Drippin'" express a sentiment that vibing to music and engaging with your soul doesn't necessarily require strict adherence to traditional musical and dance styles. This is evident in the repeated chorus of "Soul dripping's gotta pick you up, Soul dripping's till it fills your cup, Soul dripping shake your love and mine, Soul dripping's got you on the line." The message of the song seems to be that all you need is a bit of passion, willingness to express it, and rhythm to dance along to.
The singer's assertion that "you don't need the word to sing it sweet" and that you don't need to know the beat to get on the floor and move, implies that what matters most is the spirit put into the music, rather than the technical proficiency of the performer. The lyrics also suggest that getting "taste of the drippings of the soul some day" involves letting go of any inhibitions or preconceived notions of what it takes to tap into your innermost being.
The song encourages listeners to let the music guide them and seek that indescribable feeling that comes from a true connection to music. It is reminiscent of classic soul and R&B from the late 60s and early 70s and features a lively arrangement of horns, strings, and drums that give the song a celebratory feel.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't need to music to feel the soul
The soul can be felt without music
Don't need no dance steps to make a noise
Movement is not necessary to create sound
Don't need the word to sing it sweet
Sweet singing does not require words
Don't need to know a beat
A specific rhythm is not necessary
To get on the floor and shake your feet
You can dance even without a rhythm
Soul dripping's gotta pick you up
The power of the soul can lift you up
Soul dripping's till it fills your cup
The soul's power can fill you up
Soul dripping shake your love and mine
The soul's power shakes both love and desire
Soul dripping's got you on the line
The soul's power has a hold on you
You'll kick the dancers that you used to know
You'll leave behind your old ways of dancing
'Cause everything now has got to go
Change is necessary
When a part gets to you it turns you all around
A part of the soul can transform you
You can taste the drippings of the soul some day
One day you'll experience the power of the soul
Alright
Acknowledgment of understanding
C'mon, huh
Encouragement to dance and feel the power of the soul
Grab a girl to shake your feet
Invite someone to dance with you
Now don't matter just a throbbing beat
The beat is what matters now, not anything else
Oh baby you just want to sing it out
You just want to express yourself
Words don't matter just sing some day
One day you'll find the words that matter
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.