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.
Going Up To The Country Paint My Mailbox Blue
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint my mailbox blue
Gonna move up to the country
Paint my mailbox blue
Put some flowers on it, baby
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
You know I'm leavin' LA, baby
I'm leavin' LA, baby
Don't you know this smog has got me down?
I'm goin' up to the country
Where there ain't no doggone smog around
Well, come here, baby
Sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
Well, come here, baby
Sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
Well, you be my woman
And I'll be your city-boy, country man
I'm gonna move up to the country
Gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
Move up to the country
Gonna paint my mailbox blue
Put some flowers on it, honey
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
The lyrics to Taj Mahal's "Going Up To The Country Paint My Mailbox Blue" is an ode to leaving the city in search of a simpler and more peaceful life in the countryside. The repeated phrase "Gonna move up to the country / Paint my mailbox blue" is symbolic of the singer's desire to leave behind the chaos and pollution of Los Angeles and embrace the natural beauty of the countryside. The next line "Put some flowers on it, baby / Paint some trailin' vines and dew" suggests a desire to decorate the mailbox and make it more beautiful, which parallels the idea of leaving behind the dullness of city life and experiencing something more colorful and vibrant.
The second stanza highlights the reasons for leaving the city as the singer proclaims, "Don't you know this smog's got me down?" The idea of smog as a mood killer is a poignant reminder of how pollution affects people's well-being. The lyrics gain depth when examining the comparison between urban and rural life. The people living in cities often complain about the lack of clean air, water and streets. The country is where the natural beauty is still prominent, and where the people breathe fresh air.
As the song progresses, the singer invites his female partner to come with him and enjoy the simple pleasures together. "Well, come here, baby / Sugar, let your papa take you by the hand / You be my woman / And I'll be your city-boy, country man," suggests a mutual benefit for both parties involved, where the woman could experience a new way of living and the man could, in turn, cherish the women who comes with him to explore the country.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna move up to the country
I am going to move to the countryside.
Paint my mailbox blue
I'm going to paint my mailbox blue.
Gonna move up to the country
I am going to move to the countryside.
Paint my mailbox blue
I'm going to paint my mailbox blue.
Put some flowers on it, baby
I'm planning to add some flowers to the mailbox.
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
I want to paint some vines and dew on it.
You know I'm leavin' LA, baby
I'm leaving Los Angeles due to heavy smog.
Don't you know this smog's got me down?
I feel down because of the heavy smog in LA.
I'm leavin' LA, baby
I'm leaving Los Angeles due to heavy smog.
Don't you know this smog has got me down?
I feel down because of the heavy smog in LA.
I'm goin' up to the country
I'm moving to the countryside to escape the smog and pollution.
Where there ain't no doggone smog around
I'm going to a place where there is no smog.
Well, come here, baby
Come to me.
Sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
Let me take care of you.
Well, come here, baby
Come to me.
Sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
Let me take care of you.
Well, you be my woman
Be my partner.
And I'll be your city-boy, country man
I'm used to the city, but I'm willing to adapt to life in the countryside for you.
I'm gonna move up to the country
I'm moving to the countryside.
Gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
I'm planning to paint my mailbox blue.
Move up to the country
I'm moving to the countryside.
Gonna paint my mailbox blue
I'm going to paint my mailbox blue.
Put some flowers on it, honey
I plan to add some flowers to the mailbox.
Paint some trailin' vines and dew
I want to paint some vines and dew on it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TAJ MAHAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
gonna move up to the country
paint my mailbox blue
gonna move up to the canyon
paint my mailbox blue
put some flowers on it baby
paint some trailin’ vines and dew
you know i’m leavin’ la baby
don’t you know this smog’s got me down
i’m leavin’ la baby
don’t you know this smog has got me down
i’m goin’ up to the canyon
where there ain’t nobody else around
well, come here baby
sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
well, come here baby
sugar, let your papa take you by the hand
well, you be my woman
and i’ll be your city-boy, country man.
i’m gonna move up to the country
gonna paint, gonna paint, gonna paint, my mailbox blue
move up to the country
gonna paint my mailbox blue
put some flowers on it honey
paint some trailin’ vines and dew
@piercegauge5800
Been learning this song a little at a time in private. I was playing in front of a grocery store on a separate occasion when a guy asked my if I knew Taj Mahal and if I've ever heard this song....i was shocked by the coincidence and was even more shocked that anybody knew who taj mahal was. I have never played this song in public before 😱😂
@ticarot
A lot of us wore out multiple copies of this album back in the day. I'm not surprised at all someone recognized it.
@danielr8906
Amazing artist. Amazing song. The thing that makes my skin crawl is the tasteful short solo. Very slick vibe and riff. He deserves more praise!
@tangelinadaviatress2516
Full on in love with this song! I saw him live in Bend OR back in 01’ and when he played this some I cried from the intense joy I felt in my heart ♥️!
@michaelsheridan2748
Jesse Ed Davis is supreme on this track!! Also check out his play on ' Bacon Fat' from 'Take a Giant Step'.. The Telecaster is a mighty thing when played by a master!
@lynibson8441
RIP Jesse - think of what could have been!
@jillp2023
Just saw Taj Mahal and his quartet at Jazz Alley in Seattle. Nice venue. What a sweet show, we left feeling so happy. He played this song right at the start and I was so charmed that I'm painting my mailbox blue, out in the country. And setting this up to play on my ukulele with my Tuesday night buddies (harmonica, bass usually, guitars, fiddle) I think it'll be a keeper.
@Lengo67
Found on Taj's 1968 album, The Natch'l Blues
Go buy it! It's still smoking hot today!
@mctavish23
Never gets old; just better. Thanks.
@richardstudeny3870
Great tune!