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.
Corinna
Taj Mahal Lyrics
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Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird, will sing
Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird, will sing
Without Corinna, sure don't mean
Sure don't mean a natural thing
Baby, for I call
Honey, for I call your name
Baby, for I call
Honey, for I call your name
I wouldn't trade your love for money
Honey, you're my warm hearts
Baby, you're my warm hearts flame
Have mercy, have mercy
Baby, you're my hard luck
Mama, you're my hard luck soul
Baby, you're my hard luck
Honey, you're my hard luck soul
Got a rainbow 'round my shoulder
Shine like silver
Baby, look like Klondike gold
Got a bird, wanna whistle
Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird, will sing
Baby, got a bird
Honey got a bird, will sing
Without my Corinna, sure don't mean
Sure don't mean a natural thing
Corinna
Oh Corinna
Corinna
In Taj Mahal's "Corinna," the singer is expressing the importance and necessity of their lover, Corinna. The opening verse describes the presence of a bird, which symbolizes happiness, freedom, and song. The singer notes that their love for Corinna is so great that without her, having the bird lose its ability to sing would be insignificant. The chorus repeats this idea, emphasizing the importance of Corinna and how her presence is what gives meaning to the singer's life.
In the second verse, the singer addresses Corinna directly, saying that they have come to love her deeply and calling out her name. They proclaim that they wouldn't give up their love for her for any amount of money, as she is the true source of their warmth and passion. The final verse then jumps back into the realm of symbolism, describing the singer's good fortune with the image of a rainbow on their shoulder, representing hope and promise. Once again, the chorus brings it back to Corinna, highlighting how much she means and how lost the singer would be without her.
Overall, the song is a moving declaration of love and devotion, speaking to the universal theme of how much one can be transformed and uplifted by the care and companionship of another.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a bird, wanna whistle
I have a desire to express my feelings through music
Baby, got a bird
My loved one, I have a source of inspiration
Honey got a bird, will sing
My loved one, I have the ability to express my feelings through music
Without Corinna, sure don't mean
My life does not have a natural meaning without the presence of Corinna
Sure don't mean a natural thing
Without Corinna, my life feels incomplete and meaningless
I learned to love you
I have developed a strong feeling of affection towards you
Baby, for I call
My beloved, whenever I need you
Honey, for I call your name
My dearest, whenever I need you
I wouldn't trade your love for money
The love that we share is priceless and cannot be bought with money
Honey, you're my warm hearts
My beloved, you are the source of warmth in my heart
Baby, you're my warm hearts flame
My beloved, you give life to my heart
Have mercy, have mercy
I am pleading for mercy
Baby, you're my hard luck
My beloved, you are the source of my bad luck
Mama, you're my hard luck soul
My beloved, your presence brings me misfortune
Honey, you're my hard luck soul
My beloved, your presence brings me misfortune
Got a rainbow 'round my shoulder
I feel fortunate and blessed
Shine like silver
I feel valuable and precious
Baby, look like Klondike gold
My beloved, you are worth a great fortune
Corinna
My beloved, Corinna
Oh Corinna
My beloved, Corinna
Corinna
My beloved, Corinna
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSE E. DAVIS III, TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind