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.
Down Home Girl
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was made out of turnip greens
And every time I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
Even though you're wearin' them
Citified high heels
I can tell by your giant step
Oh, you're so down home girl
Every time you monkey child
You take my breath away
And every time you move like that
I gotta get down and pray
Don't you know that dress of yours
Was made out of fiberglass
And every time you move like that
I gotta go to Sunday mass
Oh, you're so down home girl
Oh, you're so down home girl
I'm gonna take you to the muddy river
And push you in
Just to watch the water roll on
Down your velvet skin
I'm gonna take you back to New Orleans
Down in Dixieland
I'm gonna watch you do the second line
With a umbrella in your hand
Oh, you're so down home girl
I'm with you baby
You're so down home
Ow! Yeah, too much
Outta sight
You're so down home girl
In Taj Mahal's song "Down Home Girl," the singer describes his love interest as a down-home country girl, despite the fact that she wears citified high heels and has a dress made of fiberglass. He can sense her rural roots in the giant steps she takes and the way she moves. The singer is drawn to her uniquely Southern charm, captured by the scent of turnip greens in her perfume and the taste of pork and beans on her lips. He is so captivated by her that every time she moves, he feels as if he needs to pray.
The singer paints a vivid picture of his desire to take her to the muddy river and watch the water roll down the velvet skin of her back. He promises to take her to New Orleans and watch her do the second line with an umbrella in her hand. Taj Mahal's voice is soulful and raspy, conveying the deep admiration and passion he has for this down-home girl.
Overall, "Down Home Girl" is a song that celebrates Southern culture and the unique charm that comes with it. It speaks to the idea that there is something special and desirable about a person who is comfortable in their own skin and stays true to their roots, even in the face of modernization and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord I swear the perfume you wear
Was made out of turnip greens
I love the natural scent you carry with you, it reminds me of the rich flavors of turnip greens that I love so much.
And every time I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
When I kiss you, it feels like I'm having a delicious meal of pork and beans, your lips have a comforting and familiar taste to them.
Even though you're wearin' them
Citified high heels
Although you're wearing city-style high heels, your personality and the way you carry yourself says that you belong to the countryside.
I can tell by your giant step
You been walkin' through the cotton fields
The way you make big steps while walking indicate that you're used to walking on the cotton fields, where large steps are necessary to avoid getting the cotton tangled up in your feet.
Oh, you're so down home girl
You have an authentic, simple and honest vibe about you, which makes you a true 'down home' girl.
Every time you monkey child
You take my breath away
Every time you dance wildly and playfully like a child, you leave me breathless with your sheer energy and happiness.
And every time you move like that
I gotta get down and pray
Your movements are so graceful and enchanting that they feel like a religious experience to me, and I can't help but bow down in awe.
Don't you know that dress of yours
Was made out of fiberglass
Your dress is so shiny and smooth that it seems like it's made of fiberglass, a modern and artificial material, which contrasts with your natural beauty.
And every time you move like that
I gotta go to Sunday mass
The way you move is so captivating and otherworldly that it feels like I'm witnessing a holy miracle, and I'm compelled to go to church to give thanks for the experience.
I'm gonna take you to the muddy river
And push you in
Just to watch the water roll on
Down your velvet skin
I want to take you to the river so we can both get dirty together, and then I'll push you in the water to see it flow down your soft and smooth skin, which will be a beautiful sight.
I'm gonna take you back to New Orleans
Down in Dixieland
I'm gonna watch you do the second line
With a umbrella in your hand
I want to take you to the birthplace of jazz music, New Orleans, where we'll watch you join the traditional parade dance known as the 'second line', with an umbrella in your hand to shield yourself from the sun.
I'm with you baby
You're so down home
Ow! Yeah, too much
Outta sight
You're so down home girl
I'm happy to be with you and enjoy your simple, genuine and comfortable company. Your personality and charm have exceeded my expectations and I'm thrilled to be with a girl like you.
Contributed by Wyatt Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.