Walker was born in Linden, Texas of African and Cherokee descent. Walker's parents, Movelia Jimerson and Rance Walker, were both musicians. His stepfather, Marco Washington, taught him to play the guitar, ukulele, banjo, violin, mandolin and piano.
Early in the 1920s, the teenage Walker learned his craft among the street-strolling string bands of Dallas. His mother and stepfather (a member of the Dallas String Band) were musicians, and family friend Blind Lemon Jefferson sometimes joined the family for dinner. Walker left school at age 10, and by 15, he was a professional performer on the blues circuit. Initially, he was Jefferson's protégé and would guide him around town for his gigs. In 1929, Walker made his recording debut with a single for Columbia Records, "Wichita Falls Blues"/"Trinity River Blues," billed as Oak Cliff T-Bone. Oak Cliff was the community he lived in at the time and T-Bone a corruption of his middle name. Pianist Douglas Fernell was his musical partner for the record.
Walker married Vida Lee in 1935 and the couple had three children. By the age of 26 Walker was working the clubs in Los Angeles' Central Avenue, sometimes as the featured singer and guitarist with Les Hite's orchestra.
His distinctive sound developed in 1942 when Walker recorded "Mean Old World" for Capitol Records. Much of his output was recorded from 1946–1948 on Black & White Records, including 1947's "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad)", with its famous opening line, "They call it stormy Monday, but Tuesday's just as bad". He followed up with his "T-Bone Shuffle" and "Let Your Hair Down, Baby, Let's Have a Natural Ball". Both are considered blues classics.
Throughout his career Walker worked with the top quality musicians, including Teddy Buckner (trumpet), Lloyd Glenn (piano), Billy Hadnott (bass), and Jack McVea (tenor sax).
Following his work with Black & White, he recorded from 1950-54 for Imperial Records (backed by Dave Bartholomew). Walker's only record in the next five years was T-Bone Blues, recorded over three widely separated sessions in 1955, 1956 and 1959, and finally released by Atlantic Records in 1960.
By the early 1960s, Walker's career had slowed down, in spite of a hyped appearance at the American Folk Blues Festival in 1962 with Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon, among others. A few critically acclaimed albums followed, such as I Want a Little Girl. Walker recorded in his last years, 1968 - 1975, for Robin Hemingway's Jitney Jane Songs music publishing company, and he won a Grammy Award in 1971 for Good Feelin' (Polydor), produced by Robin Hemingway. "Fly Walker Airlines", Polydor, also produced by Hemingway, was released in 1973.
T-Bone Walker died in 1975, at the age of 64. He is interred in the Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Walker's influence extended beyond his music. Chuck Berry called Walker and Louis Jordan (as well as Jordan's guitarist, Carl Hogan) his main influences. T-Bone Walker was the childhood hero of Jimi Hendrix, and Hendrix imitated some of Walker's ways throughout his life. Years before Hendrix, Walker was playing guitar with his teeth or in strange positions.
Walker was posthumously inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980, and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987
I'm Still in Love with You
T-Bone Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll always be in love with you.
Although you find more fish in someone else's dish
I'll always be in love with you.
I can't do any more, I tried so hard to please
But let me thank you for you lovely memories
I'll always be in love with you.
In T-Bone Walker's I'll Always Be in Love with You, the singer expresses a deep-seated love for their significant other despite the possibility of the latter straying from the relationship. The lyrics highlight how the singer understands that their partner may find someone else more appealing than them as indicated by the metaphor "more fish in someone else's dish." However, this does not diminish the love they have for their lover, hence the repetition of the refrain "I'll always be in love with you."
The verses take a more melancholic tone, as the singer seems to acknowledge that the relationship has run its course. He admits that he has tried everything in his power to keep the relationship going and keep his partner satisfied, although this has ultimately been futile. He thanks his partner for the memories they shared, all the while conveying a sense of heartbreak and resignation. The singer wishes their former lover happiness, but clearly states that their love for them will never die.
In summary, T-Bone Walker's I'll Always Be in Love with You is a poignant expression of a love that transcends distance, time and external circumstances. The singer understands that their partner may move on from the relationship, but their love will remain constant. The song captures the bittersweet emotion of a romantic relationship that has run its course, thanking the lover for their time together and wishing them happiness, all the while holding onto the enduring love that lingers within.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweetheart if you should stray a million miles away
Even if you go far away from me, my love for you will never change.
I'll always be in love with you.
My love for you is eternal, it will never diminish.
Although you find more fish in someone else's dish
Even if you find someone else to love, my feelings for you will remain the same.
I can't do any more, I tried so hard to please
I have done everything I could to make you happy but it is not enough.
But let me thank you for you lovely memories
Although our love did not last, I am grateful for the beautiful memories we shared.
I wish you happiness, as for me sweetheart I guess
I hope you find happiness in your life, but for me, my love for you will never change.
I'll always be in love with you.
My love for you is eternal, it will never diminish.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bud Green, Herman Ruby, Sam Stept
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AzucaNegra16
Lovely, very nice.
@adrianomacau41_88
Perfeito!!
@spirosps3928
Great!