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.
E Z Rider
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, don't you see what you done, done
You done gone and left me, while I lay sleepin'
Baby, now you know your natural man done come
Baby, now you know your natural man done come
I'm going to the country, yes, I'm goin' to the country
Yes, I'm goin' to stay there for a little while
I talk about you like you sweet mama
Like you was a sweet angel child
Talk about you like you was an angel child
When you see me comin'
Baby when you see me comn'
Won't you tell that old man
(Something)
You know, I ain't no stranger to you, baby
I been in your sweet lovin' arms before
Baby, you know
I've been in your sweet lovin' arms before
Hey rider, hey
(Something, something)
Woman, where you been, where you been all night'
You know your hair's all tangled and your dress is all messy
And the shoes you got on baby
You ain't got your shoes on right
Baby, you ain't got your shoes on right
The song "EZ Rider" by Taj Mahal is a blues classic that tells the story of a man who has been left by his lover, who has gone to the country while he was sleeping. He laments the fact that she has left him but tells her telepathically that he is coming for her. He also mentions that he is not good-looking but talks about his lover as if she was a sweet mama or an angel child. He then sees her and comments that her hair is all tangled and her dress is all messed up, and her shoes are not on right.
The lyrics are a classic example of the blues genre, which often tells stories of heartbreak, longing, and love. The song is simple in structure but is powerful in its portrayal of a man who has lost his lover and is seeking her out. Taj Mahal's voice is smooth and emotive, delivering the lyrics with a rawness that captures the passion of the story.
The song was originally recorded in 1969 and has been covered by multiple artists over the years. Despite being a relatively short and simple song, "EZ Rider" has endured for over 50 years and remains a classic of the blues genre.
Line by Line Meaning
EZ Rider, oh, you EZ Rider
Addressing the listener as 'EZ Rider' and pointing out that they are taking things easy.
Baby, don't you see what you done, done
Asking the listener whether they realize what they have done by leaving them.
You done gone and left me, while I lay sleepin'
Stating that the listener has left while the singer was still sleeping and unaware of their departure.
Baby, now you know your natural man done come
Informing the listener that they will be returning to their natural state as a man, which the listener should be aware of.
I'm going to the country, yes, I'm goin' to the country
Announcing that the artist is going to the country.
Yes, I'm goin' to stay there for a little while
Stating that the singer will be staying in the country for a short period of time.
You know I ain't good lookin', but don't let that deceive you
Admitting that the singer may not be attractive, but that shouldn't fool the listener about their intentions towards them.
I talk about you like you sweet mama
Stating that the artist talks about the listener as if they were their own mother, in a respectful manner.
Like you was a sweet angel child
Comparing the listener to a sweet angel child, in a complimentary way.
Talk about you like you was an angel child
Reiterating that the artist talks about the listener like they were an angel child.
When you see me comin'
Asking the listener to take notice when the singer is coming towards them.
Baby when you see me comn'
Repeating the previous line with a slight variation.
Won't you tell that old man
Asking the listener to pass a message along to an unspecified 'old man'.
You know, I ain't no stranger to you, baby
Assuring the listener that the singer is not a stranger to them, they know each other well.
I been in your sweet lovin' arms before
Recalling a previous time when the singer was in the listener's loving embrace.
Baby, you know
Reminding the listener that they already know this fact.
Hey rider, hey
Addressing the listener again as 'rider', in a friendly manner.
(Something, something)
Unspecified lyrics that do not provide any meaning on their own.
Woman, where you been, where you been all night'
Questioning the listener, who is referred to as a 'woman', about where they have been all night.
You know your hair's all tangled and your dress is all messy
Observing that the listener's hair is tangled and dress is messy, indicating they have been up to something.
And the shoes you got on baby
Noticing the listener's shoes and implying that they are not on correctly.
You ain't got your shoes on right
Asserting that the listener's shoes are in fact not on correctly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind