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.
Catfish Blues
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swimmin' into the deep blue sea
I'd have all the good lookin' women
Swimmin' after me
Swimmin' after me
Swimmin' after me
Cause these blues, oh, these blues
Maybe you can find her
Timbuktu to Bamako
Timbuktu to Bamako
Timbuktu to Bamako
Oh, I wish, oh honey I can holler her
[?]
I keep on howlin' till I get
My baby back
Your baby back
My baby back
Well, it's two trains runnin'
Can never go my way
I'm gonna ride the first thing smokin'
Down the road I go
Down the road I go
Said now, I wish I was a catfish
Swimmin' into the deep blue sea
I'd have all you good lookin' women
Swimmin' after me
Swimmin' after me
Swimmin' after me
Oh, rollin' on, oh, rollin' on
Oh, rollin' on, oh, rollin' on
The song Catfish Blues by Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate is a modern interpretation of the traditional blues song by the same name. The lyrics express the longing of the singer to be a catfish swimming in the deep blue sea, attracting all the good-looking women to follow him. The blues music style, characterized by its melancholic and sad notes, emphasizes the singer's yearning for love and companionship.
The lyrics also mention Timbuktu and Bamako, two cities in Mali, West Africa. This is significant because the song combines traditional African instruments, such as the kora played by Diabate, with the blues guitar played by Mahal, blending two musical traditions from different continents. The combination of the African and American musical styles highlights the shared experiences of African Americans and Africans, united by the historical trauma of slavery and colonization.
The lyrics of the song also mention "two trains runnin'" which is a reference to a popular blues song by the same name. This alludes to the shared cultural heritage of blues music and the expression of sadness and longing that characterizes both songs. Overall, Catfish Blues is a powerful reimagining of traditional blues music, blending African and American musical traditions to express the universal yearning for love and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, I wish I was a catfish
Expressing the singer's wish to be a catfish.
Swimmin' into the deep blue sea
Desiring to swim in the deep blue sea as a catfish.
I'd have all the good lookin' women
Hoping to have all the attractive women.
Swimmin' after me
A perception of the women chasing after the artist as a catfish.
Cause these blues, oh, these blues
Acknowledging the feeling of sadness and despair.
Cause I'm goin' to the little girl's house, oh
Going to see a girl the singer is interested in.
Maybe you can find her
Asking for help in locating the girl's house.
Timbuktu to Bamako
Two places in Mali, Africa, indicating an adventurous journey.
Oh, I wish, oh honey I can holler her
Expressing the desire to call out to the girl as 'honey.'
[?]
Unclear lyrics which cannot be interpreted for meaning.
I keep on howlin' till I get
Continuing to express the desire to call out to her and not give up.
My baby back
Referring to the girl as his 'baby.'
Your baby back
Unclear if the singer is addressing an audience or making an error in lyricism.
Well, it's two trains runnin'
This line could indicate inspiration from a song by the same name by Muddy Waters, or it could be interpreted as a metaphor for pursuing two different paths or opportunities.
Can never go my way
Indicating the defeat or disappointment of the singer.
I'm gonna ride the first thing smokin'
Deciding to take the first available opportunity to leave or move on from the situation.
Down the road I go
Departing and moving on without turning back.
Said now, I wish I was a catfish
Reiterating the desire to be a catfish rather than the current circumstances of the singer.
Swimmin' into the deep blue sea
Reiterating the desire to swim in the sea as a catfish.
I'd have all you good lookin' women
The artist is addressing the women and indicating that if they were catfish, they would have all the good-looking women to themselves.
Swimmin' after me
Expressing the perception that the women would be interested in a catfish (or the artist) and thus would be pursuing them.
Oh, rollin' on, oh, rollin' on
A repeating chorus indicating that the artist is moving on to the next thing or departure.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KING69LION
Well, it's two trains runnin'
Can never go my way
I'm gonna ride the first thing smokin'
Down the road I go
Down the road I go
Said now, I wish I was a catfish
Swimmin' into the deep blue sea
I'd have all you good lookin' women
😍🤩😍
Calvin murry
Taj Mahal was one of the first bluesmen to acknowledge the influence and deep relationship between blacks and Appalachian whites. while all that racism was going on, blacks and Appalachian whites were living together and making music together. Few people know that the banjo was actually an African instrument. And if you listen closely you can hear the Appalachian influence in a lot of Taj Mahal music. same for Appalachian music and it's call and response. I can listen to Taj Mahal all day.
c a l m spirit
Being from the Tennessee Appalachian mountains, this was a great read. Thanks for the awesome knowledge. ☺️
deques love
i've only just learned of blacks in appalachian areas, i'm really interested in stories about how it was and is growing up there as a black person
Rawda Makhoul
Thanks for this comment and the information on the mixture of African and Appalachian music. I love it indeed.
I was sure it was a Qanun playing, and could easily notice some middle eastern tunes in it as well, especially the clarinet part.
Victorious Rufus
A magnificent composition with a mix of music from different cultures! Fused effortlessly!
Freiherr Egbert von Rabenstein
One of the finest blues songs I ever heard! 😊
Don's Tunes
Enjoy!
Victorious Rufus
What a brilliant composition by legendary blues Maestro Taj Mahal
Charles Burrows
Amazing track, perfect sound quality and I just love the percussion. All the instrumentation is unworldly. 10 stars if I could!
The Thunda Motha⚡Show
I've been sleeping heavy on blues. I stumbled across a blues Playlist like a week ago and I feel connected to it more than any other music genre . I discovered Taj today and I'm addicted to this song. This guy is incredible Time to start a music channel🔥🔥🔥🔥