Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 19… Read Full Bio ↴Taj Mahal (born Henry Saint Clair Fredericks in New York City on May 17, 1942) is an American Grammy Award-winning blues musician who incorporates elements of world music into his music. A self-taught singer, songwriter, and film composer who plays the guitar, banjo and harmonica (among many other instruments), Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his 50 year career by fusing it with non-traditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa and the South Pacific.

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.

Giant Step
Taj Mahal Lyrics

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It's time you learned to live again and love at last
Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind

You stare at me with disbelief
You say for you there's no relief
But girl I swear it won't do you no harm
Don't sit there in your lonely room
Just looking back inside that gloom
Mama that's not were you belong
Come with me I'll take you where the taste of life is green
And everyday everyday hold on woman just got to be seen
Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind

Though you failed at love and lost
And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
I will mend your heart again
Remember the feeling as a child
When you woke up and morning smiled
It's time its time its time you felt like that again

There is just no percentage in remembering the past
It's time you learned to live again and love at last

Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
And take a giant step outside your mind

Overall Meaning

The song "Giant Step," by Taj Mahal, is about trying to move forward and leave the past behind, even though it can be difficult. The lyrics are addressed to someone who has experienced heartbreak and is struggling to find joy in life again. Taj Mahal assures them that he can help mend their heart and bring back the feeling of being carefree and happy, like a child waking up to a new day.

The first verse captures the essence of the song by using vivid imagery, where sorrow has turned someone's heart into frost. Taj Mahal promises to bring back the happiness felt as a child, by urging the person to leave yesterday behind and take a giant step outside their mind. The line "There is just no percentage in remembering the past," emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and not dwelling on past mistakes.

In the second verse, the person being addressed is hesitant to move forward and believes that there's no relief for them. Taj Mahal tries to convince them that it won't harm them to take a chance on life again. He suggests that the person has been in a lonely room for too long and urges them to come with him and experience the taste of life that is full of possibilities.

Overall, the song is an uplifting message that encourages people to not get stuck in their heartbreaks and to pursue a fulfilling life. It is a reminder that every new day is an opportunity to find joy and laughter.

Line by Line Meaning

Though you failed at love and lost
Even though you have experienced heartbreak in the past

And sorrow's turned your heart to frost
And your emotional pain has left you feeling cold

I will mend your heart again
I will help heal your heart and bring warmth back into your life

Remember the feeling as a child
Recall the joy you felt in your youth

When you woke up and morning smiled
When you woke up excited for the day ahead

It's time its time its time you felt like that again
It's time for you to feel that joy and excitement once more

There is just no percentage in remembering the past
It's not productive to dwell on past mistakes or disappointments

It's time you learned to live again and love at last
It's time to move on and start living and loving again

Come with me leave your yesterday your yesterday behind
Join me and leave your past behind

And take a giant step outside your mind
Take a bold step outside of your normal thought process and embrace new experiences

You stare at me with disbelief
You look at me skeptically

You say for you there's no relief
You feel like there's no escape from your pain

But girl I swear it won't do you no harm
But trust me, trying something new won't hurt you

Don't sit there in your lonely room
Don't isolate yourself in your sadness

Just looking back inside that gloom
Replaying negative memories over and over again

Mama that's not were you belong
You deserve to be happy and fulfilled

Come with me I'll take you where the taste of life is green
Join me and I'll bring you to where life is fresh and new

And everyday everyday hold on woman just got to be seen
In this new life, every day will be full of wonder that you won't want to miss