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.
Do I Love Her
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I love her? Yes I love her, and she love me and she love me still
She got me jumping like a Jack on a Jenny
High behind the hill.
Do I need you? Yes I need you, Honey I told you so.
Do I want you? Yes I want you, Honey want to let you know.
Now you make me higher
Deep down in my soul
Well,
When I love you, Yes I love you, Gonna give you praise.
Yes I love you, Whoa I love you , And I won’t be afraid
‘Cause my arms they’re around you
Baby, every day.
Over mountain, over valley, over hill and dale,
Over ocean, big blue ocean, I will sail.
I’m gonna be your love man like a gator baby, I’m gonna drag my tail.
Wave your Jack of Diamonds when you rob my pocket of silver & gold.
Jack of Diamonds, oh you rob my pocket of silver & gold.
I ahhhh just had to let it, let it go.
Muddy Waters, No kidding Muddy Waters gone to his grave.
Muddy Waters, Muddy Waters gone to the great big
Blues in Chicago ??? about to be your ???
Awwwww
Whoa Oooo oooh
whoa ooo oooo oooh
Yeah Do I love her? Yes I love her, baby and I always will.
Do I need her? Yes I need her, baby and I need her still.
She got me going like a Jack on a Jenny
Baby, high behind the hill.
Smoke that harmonica.
The song "Do I Love Her" by Taj Mahal is a love song that expresses the singer's deep affection for his partner. Taj Mahal expresses his love for his partner in various ways, such as acknowledging his need and want for her and how she makes him feel—he's jumping like a Jack on a Jenny and feeling higher deep down in his soul. Taj Mahal doesn't shy away from affirming his love for his partner and promises to be her love man like a gator baby, dragging his tail to show his unwavering commitment. The lyrics depict not just love but also the need to protect his partner from harm, even if it means sailing over mountains and oceans.
The song's chorus features Taj Mahal asking himself if he loves her and eagerly responding with a yes, expressing both his love and hope that his partner still loves him. The song ends with Taj Mahal acknowledging the passing of Muddy Waters, a famous blues musician, and highlights the importance of cherishing the present moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Do I love her? Yes I love her, and she love me and I hope she will
Confirming my love for her and hoping that she will always reciprocate
Do I love her? Yes I love her, and she love me and she love me still
Reaffirming my love for her and acknowledging her enduring love for me
She got me jumping like a Jack on a Jenny High behind the hill.
She makes me feel excited and electrified like a jumping jack, in a private and secluded space
Do I need you? Yes I need you, Honey I told you so.
Expressing my dependence on her and confirming that I have already communicated this to her
Do I want you? Yes I want you, Honey want to let you know.
Expressing my intense desire for her and informing her about it
Now you make me higher Deep down in my soul
Her presence makes me feel elated and uplifted at a profound level
When I love you, Yes I love you, Gonna give you praise.
When I am in love with you, I will shower you with praise and worship
Yes I love you, Whoa I love you , And I won’t be afraid
Emphatically declaring my love for her and assuring her that I won't be hesitant or fearful
‘Cause my arms they’re around you Baby, every day.
Embracing her physically and emotionally, every day
Over mountain, over valley, over hill and dale, Over ocean, big blue ocean, I will sail.
I will travel anywhere and overcome any obstacle to be with her, even if that means crossing vast bodies of water
I’m gonna be your love man like a gator baby, I’m gonna drag my tail.
Comparing myself to an alligator and pledging to serve and adore her passionately
Wave your Jack of Diamonds when you rob my pocket of silver & gold. Jack of Diamonds, oh you rob my pocket of silver & gold.
Trivializing material wealth and urging her to take anything from me, as long as she flashes the 'Jack of Diamonds', a symbol of her love
I ahhhh just had to let it, let it go.
Surrendering to my emotions and letting go of my inhibitions
Muddy Waters, No kidding Muddy Waters gone to his grave. Muddy Waters, Muddy Waters gone to the great big Blues in Chicago ??? about to be your ??? Awwwww Whoa Oooo oooh whoa ooo oooo oooh
Referencing the late blues legend Muddy Waters and alluding to a forthcoming musical tribute
Yeah Do I love her? Yes I love her, baby and I always will.
Affirming my unwavering and unending love for her
Do I need her? Yes I need her, baby and I need her still.
Asserting that I still depend on her and cannot do without her
She got me going like a Jack on a Jenny Baby, high behind the hill.
Repeating that she makes me feel alive and energized, in a discreet and secluded location
Smoke that harmonica.
Ending the song with a playful and suggestive phrase, possibly referring to playing music or indulging in other enjoyable activities
Contributed by Maya W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.