After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
Big Kneed Gal
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We were introduced to one another
Introduced to one another by a mutual
A mutual friend
And when my baby smiled at me
Ooh, you want to see me grin
And I really do love her
People, now you know that I'm just crazy
A-bout that woman
She is my big-kneed gal
You know my baby is frisky as a fella
That got home from ...
... [?]
... [?]
Ooh, there ain't another I would ever see
And I really do love her
Ooh, she my baby, she my sweety, she my lover, she my pal
People, now you know that I'm just crazy
A-bout that woman
She is my big-kneed gal
Oh, I met my baby at a Thanksgiving dinner party
You know, we was introduced to one another
To one another, to one another by a mutual friend
And my baby smiled at me
You know my whole world again
And I really do love her
She is my baby, she my sweety, she my lover, she my pal
Now you know that I'm just crazy
A-bout that woman
Oh, she is my baby gal
She is my baby, my baby
She is my baby
She is my babe
She is my baby
In Taj Mahal's song "Big Kneed Gal," the singer describes meeting his significant other at a Thanksgiving dinner party. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, and when she smiles at him, it brightens up his entire world. He is completely enamored with her, describing her as his baby, sweety, lover, and pal. He confesses how crazy he is about her, calling her his "big-kneed gal." He also notes how frisky she can be, but he wouldn't choose anyone else.
The song is a sweet and simple love song that celebrates the love between two people. The "big-kneed" descriptor could be seen as a term of endearment, something unique and charming about his partner that he adores. Overall, the song is an ode to a significant other who brings joy and love into his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, you know I met my baby at a Thanksgiving dinner party
I first laid eyes on my beloved at a festive gathering in thanks of the harvest season
We were introduced to one another
We were brought together in acquaintance
Introduced to one another by a mutual
A shared companion played the role of matchmaker
And when my baby smiled at me
Upon receiving a smile from my darling,
Ooh, you want to see me grin
I can't help but beam with happiness
And I really do love her
My affection for her is deep and genuine
She is my baby, she my sweety, she my lover, she my pal
She is my sweetheart whom I treasure dearly and consider as both my romantic partner and friend
People, now you know that I'm just crazy
Folks, I must admit that I am absolutely infatuated
A-bout that woman
With that woman I referenced earlier
She is my big-kneed gal
My beloved, whom I affectionately refer to as my big-kneed gal
You know my baby is frisky as a fella
My darling lady has just as much vigor and lust for life as any gentleman
That got home from ...
The following lyrics are unclear and require further inspection
... [?]
The following lyrics are unclear and require further inspection
Ooh, there ain't another I would ever see
I couldn't envision myself with anyone else other than my beloved
And I really do love her
I must stress that my love for her is profound
Ooh, she my baby, she my sweety, she my lover, she my pal
I must reiterate that she is not just my romantic partner but also my dear friend whom I treasure
Oh, I met my baby at a Thanksgiving dinner party
I can't help but reminisce about how we first met at that joyous celebration of gratitude
You know, we was introduced to one another
As previously mentioned, our introduction was orchestrated by a mutual friend
To one another, to one another by a mutual friend
I want to emphasize once more that we were brought together by a shared acquaintance
And my baby smiled at me
I can't stress enough how her smile lit up my world
You know my whole world again
Upon meeting her, my life felt enlightened and reinvigorated
And I really do love her
In case you had any doubts, my feelings for her are genuine and unwavering
She is my baby, she my sweety, she my lover, she my pal
Indeed she is all of those things to me and more
Now you know that I'm just crazy
I hope that by now, you've become aware of how head over heels I am for her
A-bout that woman
Yes, the obsession I mentioned earlier is about that lovely lady
Oh, she is my baby gal
In case there were any doubts, she is my baby and my beloved
She is my baby, my baby
I can't stress enough that she is my treasured partner and the love of my life
She is my baby
Simply put, she is the one for me
She is my babe
She is my darling and symbol of my affection
She is my baby
Once again, I must stress that she is irreplaceable and the love of my life
Contributed by Jackson C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.