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.
Brother
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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The negroes are the best ever heard or seen
Among the singers on the moving screen
The negroes are best ever heard or seen
Morton Downey went to a singing school
But the four Mills brothers are sweet and cool
And I aint got nobody, nobody cares for me
Nobody cares
For those of you have seen The Big Broadcast
Cab Calloway was unsurpassed
From mystery pictures Bela Lugosi
And relax with MrCrosby
Mae West, of course, is a fair piece singer
I still prefer to hear the Four Mills Brothers in
I aint got nobody, nobody cares for me
Nobody cares
In Taj Mahal's blues song The Four Mills Brothers, he begins by praising African American singers in the early days of film. He notes their exceptional talent, claiming that they are the best ever heard or seen. Taj then compares the Mills Brothers, an iconic African American vocal group, with Morton Downey, a white singer who went to a singing school. Taj asserts that while Downey may have had formal training in singing, the Mills Brothers possess a "sweet and cool" quality that cannot be learned in a singing school.
Next, Taj lists a few other iconic performers from the golden age of Hollywood, including Cab Calloway, Bing Crosby, Mae West, and Bela Lugosi. Despite their important contributions to American culture, Taj claims that he still prefers to listen to the Four Mills Brothers. He sings the refrain "I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me" throughout the song, lamenting his loneliness and perhaps suggesting that he finds solace in the Mills Brothers' music.
Overall, Taj Mahal's The Four Mills Brothers is a tribute to African American musical talent and a celebration of the Mills Brothers specifically. Taj's lyrics suggest that he believes that the Mills Brothers' untrained, natural talent bests any white singer who went to singing school. Additionally, he hints at a preference for simpler music, choosing the Mills Brothers over more flamboyant performers of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Among the singers on the moving screen
Out of all the singers who appear on the big screen
The negroes are the best ever heard or seen
The Black singers are the most talented I've witnessed
Morton Downey went to a singing school
Morton Downey received formal training for his singing
But the four Mills brothers are sweet and cool
However, the Four Mills Brothers have a unique and pleasing style
And I aint got nobody, nobody cares for me
I am alone and feeling neglected
For those of you have seen The Big Broadcast
For those of you who have viewed The Big Broadcast
Cab Calloway was unsurpassed
Cab Calloway was the best of the best
From mystery pictures Bela Lugosi
Even famous actors like Bela Lugosi starred in mysterious films
And relax with Mr Crosby
And people could unwind by listening to Mr. Bing Crosby
Mae West, of course, is a fair piece singer
Mae West is an adequate singer, of course
I still prefer to hear the Four Mills Brothers in
But I still choose to listen to the Four Mills Brothers
I aint got nobody, nobody cares for me
I am alone and feeling neglected
Nobody cares
There seems to be no one who cares about me
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DURRIE PARKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Wow he does it really good, I'd like a haircut from him.
BloxyGertius
same i need haircut from him
{Lamar Games}
Same!
Captain Freedom
Get your face shaved into the back of your head, Mike.
818 SUKI
Been seeing you around a lot lmao
Del
I think you don't have hair or a head in your grave Jackie
-_-
This is tempting, but there’s no way I’m cheating on my barber, there’s some lines you just don’t cross
Adyjah
By the one and only Anwar Jibawi
-_-
@GeoGeorge The stone slag
fin Lockheart
@GeoGeorge The stone A barber is everything my girl knows me well. She also knows my hair history too so she knows how to deal with it.