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.

Thank You Baby
Syl Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My friends all say that I′m crazy
For lovin' you the way that I do
But they don′t know how you make me feel
After all that I've been through, hmm

That love that you keep givin'
Makes my live worth livin′

Thank you, baby
For bein′ so kind
I wanna thank you, babe
I'm so glad you′re mine

I'm gonna hold on just for me
′Cause I love what you mean to me
You played the part when you stole my heart
Gave me security, hmm

That love that you keep givin'
Makes my life worth livin′

Thank you, baby
For bein' so kind
I wanna thank you, babe
I'm so glad you′re mine

They say that love makes a woman
I wanna say that you made a man
Righ or wrong, I got to hold on
To your unchanging hand

Oh, baby
I thank you, honey
Yes, I do
I thank you, mm,mm

Oh, baby
I thank you, honey
Yes, I do
I thank you

I thank you, baby
Showed me the way to Lover′s Lane
And I thank you, honey
Making me feel like a natural man

Oh, baby
I thank you

Yes, I do
I thank you, mm, mm, mm

Overall Meaning

In Syl Johnson's Thank You Baby, the singer expresses his gratitude and appreciation for his loved one who has brought joy and meaning into his life. Despite the doubts and criticisms from his friends, he acknowledges that they do not understand the depth of his feelings for the woman he loves. She has provided him with a love that has given him a sense of security and has made his life worth living. The singer acknowledges her role in making him feel like a man and wants to hold onto her through thick and thin. The chorus is a joyful tribute to the woman he loves, thanking her for her kindness and warmth and expressing his happiness at having her in his life.

Line by Line Meaning

My friends all say that I’m crazy
People think I’m crazy for how much I love you

For lovin' you the way that I do
I love you with all my heart

But they don’t know how you make me feel
They don’t know how happy you make me

After all that I’ve been through, hmm
I’ve been through a lot, but you make it all better

That love that you keep givin’,
The love you give me

Makes my live worth livin’
Makes my life worth living

Thank you, baby
Thank you, my love

For bein' so kind
For being so sweet

I wanna thank you, babe
I want to thank you, my dear

I'm so glad you’re mine
I’m so happy you’re mine

I’m gonna hold on just for me
I’m holding onto you for me